Antecedents to the Ptolemaic Mammisis

Vanessa Crown

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    The Ptolemaic mammisi was a small chapel adjacent to a larger temple, dedicated to the child-god of the local triad. Rituals celebrating the mystery of the divine birth of this child-god were· held in the mammisi. Each mammisi was associated with a unique program of worship, dominated by the main temple complex with which it was associated. All Ptolemaic mammisis shared distinctive architectural features which included, but were not limited to, papyrus-bundle or palm-featured columns, Hathor-headed capitals, screen walls and a columned ambulatory surrounding the central sanctuary and associated halls (Arnold 2003, 33). The interior of the mammisis were decorated with detailed scenes depicting the mystery of the divine birth and texts outlining the rituals that were performed there. By the end of the Ptolemaic period, mammisis appeared in the majority of Egyptian temple complexes and played a significant role in daily cult and annual festivals.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationEgyptology in Australia and New Zealand 2009
    Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of the Conference held in Melbourne, September 4th-6th
    EditorsChristian M. Knoblauch, James C. Gill
    Place of PublicationOxford
    PublisherArchaeopress
    Pages9-13
    Number of pages5
    ISBN (Print)9781407309415
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventAustralasian Conference for Young Egyptologists (1st : 2009) - Melbourne
    Duration: 4 Sept 20096 Sept 2009

    Publication series

    NameBAR international series
    PublisherArchaeopress
    Volume2355

    Conference

    ConferenceAustralasian Conference for Young Egyptologists (1st : 2009)
    CityMelbourne
    Period4/09/096/09/09

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