Statue of Amenemhat III as Hapi

This double statue of Amenemhat III as Hapi, the Nile god, was discovered at Tanis, capital of the 21st Dynasty Kings, however, the two male figures are clearly portraits of the 12th Dynasty king Amenemhat III. They are carved with perfect symmetry, offering fish, birds, and aquatic plants.

Both wear heavy wigs with large braids, wide beards, and finely pleated kilts. This representation of the king as Hapi is a novelty in royal statuary. An unusual twin image of Amenemhat III represented in the form of the Nile god Hapi was found from Tanis.

The statue shows the king twice, side by side, with the long, heavy wig and false beard that characterize the primordial creator divinities of the country. Slightly bending under its weight, the king carries a rich offering. 

As suggested by the modest pose, the statues might represent the king in his function as a provider of offering for the gods, a notion supported by the archaic decoration that recalls, both the earliest times and creation and fecundity.

Both statue types – lion king and fecundity king – may have been part of the same unusual but significant statue programme that commemorated aspects of kingship and its role in the creation of the universe. The inscriptions were added by King Psusennes I of the 21st Dynasty when this group was removed, like many other monuments, to Tanis.

This statue represents Amenemhat III in a dual form, showcasing his divine association and the pharaoh’s role in ensuring the fertility of the land through the Nile’s annual flooding. The artistry reflects the high level of craftsmanship of the period, with intricate details that highlight the king’s features and the symbolic elements associated with Hapi.

Hapi, the personification of the Nile and fertility, is often depicted with a large belly and holding offerings, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

Amenemhat III was known for his significant contributions to architecture and the economy, and this statue underscores the divine authority he held as a ruler.

Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, reign of Amenemhat III, ca. 1860-1814 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 18221