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Last Updated on 18 Jan 2019

Author: Mario C.D. Paganini

CAPInv. 1989: the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods

I. LOCATION

i. Geographical area Egypt
ii. Nome Thebes with Peri Thebas (U04b)
iii. Site Thebes, Dra Abu'l-Naga

II. NAME

i. Full name (original language) ṯȝy ntr.w (Short Texts III 1494, l. 1)
ii. Full name (transliterated) the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods

III. DATE

i. Date(s) 175 (?) - 125 (?) BC

IV. NAME AND TERMINOLOGY

ii. Name elements
Cultic:the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods
Professional:the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods
Status-related:the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods
Theophoric:the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods

V. SOURCES

i. Source(s) Short Texts III 1494 (175-125 BC?)
Note Other publications: Northampton et al. 1908: 20 no. 11
Online Resources TM 81155
i.a. Source type(s) Epigraphic source(s)
i.b. Document(s) typology & language/script Demotic graffito in honour of Osorphibis and Osorpebekis, from tomb wall.
i.c. Physical format(s) Graffito.
ii. Source(s) provenance From the tomb of Ibises and Hawks at Dra Abu'l-Naga, near Thebes.

VI. BUILT AND VISUAL SPACE

i. Archaeological remains The tomb is of more ancient origin but was reused from Ptolemaic times as the place of burial of the sacred ibises and falcons.

VII. ORGANIZATION

iii. Members The members are collectively called nȝ rmt.w ṯȝy ntr.w (l. 1), 'the men/members of the bearers/carriers of the (images of the) gods'.

IX. MEMBERSHIP

i. Number The name of eight members are recorded.
ii. Gender Men
Note The attested members are men.
iv. Status Three members have priestly titles: pȝ wr Ḏḥwt, porthotes of Thot (l. 4), pȝ wr-Bik, the superior of the falcon (l. 5), and pȝ mr-šn (n) Ḏḥwt, lesonis of Thot (l. 6). The other five members are defined as nȝ rmt.w wrṱ (l. 7) 'the men of the aviary': this would indicate that they were in charge of the place where the sacred birds were kept.
vi. Proper names and physical features Pshenconis, son of Petemin porthotes of Thot; Garet, son of Har... the superior of the falcon; Har... son of Pshenpchrat, lesonis of Thot; Platon son of Pathot; Khesthot, son of Pshenopahte; Pana son of ...; Harsieis (?) son of Khesthot; Pshenkhons.

X. ACTIVITIES

iii. Worship The graffito was written in honour of and as act of obeisance to Osorphibis and Osorpebekis, Osiris in the form of the deified ibises and hawks. This suggests worship by the group.
Deities worshipped Osiris, ibises and hawks

XII. NOTES

iii. Bibliography Northampton, The Marquis of, Spiegelberg, W., and Newberry P. E. (1908), Report on Some Excavations in the Theban Necropolis during the Winter of 1898-9. London.

XIII. EVALUATION

i. Private association Possible
Note On the basis of the nomenclature of the group, it is possible that the bearers/carriers of the images of the gods formed a private association. However, on the basis of the members' priestly titles and cultic tasks, they could also be religious personnel. Lack of further information prevents any firmer conclusions.