Athena Review Image Archive ™
Tomb of Horemheb: Antechanber with painted reliefs (1909 photo)
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Painted reliefs in the Antechamber of the Tomb of Horemheb (photo: Davis 1909)
The Antechamber has finished relief decorations similar to those of the Well Chamber. Both have scenes of Horemheb interacting with the Gods. In the scene portrayed here, painted on the east wall, Horemheb is shown making offerings to the gods Osiris (at left), Hathor (in the center), and Horus, the hawk-headed deity, at right. At far right, Isis is shown as part of another worshipful encounter with Horemheb.
At far left, Osiris stands in a typical mummified form, his hands crossed in front of him holding a crook and flail. Horemheb offers Osiris wine in order to be granted the "gift of life." In the center, Horemheb confronts the Cow goddess Hathor, with horns and solar disk on top of a blue and black striped wig. In the hieroglyphic text, she promises "an eternity of Joy" At right, Horemheb presents the hawk god Horus with wine, and Horus grants him "the throne of his father Osiris".
At far right is Isis, wearing a black wig and a plain white, sleeveless dress. Horemheb is decribed in the accompanying hieroglyphs as worshipping her 4 times, so that she will "treat him like Ra".
The hieroglyphic symbol for the sky extends the length of the wall as a stripe of light blue stars and a dark blue background. The ceiling was decorated with gold stars on a black background, compared with the Well Chamber which has a dark blue ceiling background. The darker sky may mean the Antechamber is closer to the underworld, the realm of Osiris.
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