Amenhotep III stele

The Victory Stele of Amenhotep III

The stele, was erected to commemorate King Amenhotep III’s (c. 1391-1353 BC) triumph over his opponents.

This part displays two concurrent scenarios, with the king standing in his horse-drawn chariot. Above him, the goddess Nekhbet extends her protective wings, symbolising life, stability, and dominion. A quiver of arrows hangs from his back, while a larger one is tied to the chariot. The contorted bodies of bound opponents from the regions south of Egypt can be seen on the horses, one even tied to the king’s chariot, another laying on his stomach under the king’s feet.

The stele features remarkable images of Amenhotep III as an aggressive king. Because Amenhotep III reigned during a fairly calm time, it is unclear if these paintings memorialise actual military victories or are merely symbolic.

Found at Kom el-Hettân by Flinders Petrie.
Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 31409