Having a Break to Take a Drink

Abstract

The artist in ancient Egypt used to add a more natural touch to the daily life scenes. This clearly appeared in the harvest scenes in several themes. One of these themes represented a worker having a break to take a drink. The subject of the research is centered on this occasional theme concentrating on its natural features; the worker himself, his identity, the way he holds the jar of drink, the shape of the jar and the type of the drink, as well as the presenter of the drink, if was represented. The theme was found in several ancient Egyptian tombs and also in the tomb of Petosiris at Tuna el Gabal in Minia Governorate that dates to the Graeco-Roman period. The research aims to discuss all the natural features of the theme and compare between those of the ancient Egyptian themes and what is represented in the Graeco-Roman theme to find the main characteristics and differences of each one. The research employs the descriptive and analytical methodology for the discussed models of the theme and their captions to achieve the aimed results of the study. One of the main results is that the theme of a worker having a short break of work to quench his thirst appeared in two main contexts of the ancient Egyptian and Graeco-Roman outdoor daily life scenes.