Mummy of Herakleides

Herakleides lived during the time when Egypt was under Roman rule, which followed after the fall of the Ptolemaic period. His name, “Herakleides, son of Thermos” is inscribed on his mummy shroud.

Herakleides was mummified following traditional Egyptian practices but with Roman influences. His body was wrapped in a linen shroud painted red, symbolizing life and regeneration in Egyptian religion.

Through a non-invasive C.T. scan, it was determined that Herakleides was approximately 18–20 years old at the time of his death. His remains were found to be in good condition, and his body was discovered to be laying upon a wooden board, which was typical for mummies of this period. Interestingly, a mummified ibis was discovered wrapped with him, placed over his abdomen, aligning with the ibis imagery on his shroud. This suggests a connection to the Egyptian god Thoth, associated with writing, wisdom, and possibly indicating Herakleides’ profession as a scribe or his religious affiliations.

The red pigment used on his shroud was identified as red-lead, imported from Spain, indicating the extensive trade networks of the Roman Empire. This pigment was also used on a small group of similar “red-shroud” mummies, suggesting a common workshop or artistic tradition. The portrait was painted using tempera, with some areas gilded, reflecting both Roman artistic practices and Egyptian symbolic elements.

Herakleides’ mummy exemplifies the cultural synthesis of the time, where traditional Egyptian mummification met with Roman portraiture and Greek cultural elements, showcasing how individuals in Roman Egypt might have identified with multiple cultural identities, while also providing us with a vivid snapshot of the cultural, religious, and artistic milieu of Roman Egypt, making Herakleides a significant figure in understanding the evolution of Egyptian funerary practices during the early-mid 1st Century A.D.

The mummy of Herakleides is now housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum. 91.AP.6