Nubian women and children depicted within the procession of tribute for king Thutmose IV

Nubian women and children depicted within the procession of tribute for king Thutmose IV (Tomb of Horemheb, TT78)

This scene is depicted within the Tomb of Horemheb, not the later king with the same name, but an Official of King Thutmose IV. Horemheb held many titles, including; “Great Confidant of the Lord of the Two Lands”.

Within his tomb, Horemheb oversees the procession of tribute from foreigners to Egypt, which includes both Nubians and Asiatics providing a parade of tribute and adoration before the throne of Egypt. The Princes of Kush are also depicted within the tomb, with an unfortunate propagandist title of “The wicked princes of Kush, from the vile country of Kush”, such titles were a common Egyptian sentiment towards foreigners or those lands they colonised and fought with. However, despite this, Egyptians paid close attention to customs and traditions of the people they depicted, and provides us, the viewer, with great detail, such as traditional costume and general appearance of their traditional foes:

Within this piece, we see women in long wrapped skirts, possibly animal skin or perhaps just a pattern. They are topless with white beaded necklaces and one earring on display. They are accompanied by various children, nude and holding the hands of the women. The woman in the middle has a basket holding two children.