THE COLUMN OF CLEOPATRA III AND PTOLEMY IX FROM KOM OMBO IN THE GEM (45481)

Abstract

This is the publication of a column currently in the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza. This column is covered with scenes, hieroglyphic texts, and decorative motifs. It is one of the few depictions of a Ptolemaic queen, Cleopatra III, alone offering to deities. Its content shows a period of coregency between her and her son Ptolemy IX. Moreover, it bears new motifs, such as the frieze of Hathoric faces and the rekhyt-bird adoring the divine children of Kom Ombo. This research presents a theological, historical, and palaeographical analytical study of the scenes and texts of the column. Indeed, it also shows the two divine children of Kom Ombo receiving offerings from Ptolemy IX and his mother. A reconstruction of the column is suggested, either as a complete element or locating it on the plan of the Mammisi of Kom Ombo.