Iconography of the Rewarding Scenes from the Ancient Egyptian Private Tombs of the 20th - 21st Dynasties

A rare and significant finding in the study of Ancient Egyptian iconography reveals that scenes depicting kings rewarding court officials and warriors, which flourished during the New Kingdom Era, dramatically declined by the 20th–21st Dynasties. Analysis of private tombs in Thebes and surrounding necropolises, including those at Rifeh, Aniba, Dra Abu El Naga, and Tanis, shows only four such scenes from this period, with just one surviving image from Tanis during the 21st Dynasty. This shift contrasts sharply with earlier periods, where such scenes were more prevalent, suggesting a change in funerary art priorities toward themes of posthumous existence over earthly achievements.

Ershova, E. S. (2023). ICONOGRAPHY OF THE REWARDING SCENES FROM THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN PRIVATE TOMBS OF THE 20TH - 21ST DYNASTIES. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies, (2), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2023-2-115-126