Statue of Kneeling Captive

This statue of kneeling captive can be dated to the reign of Pepi II for stylistic reasons. Beginning at least in the mid 5th Dynasty, large sculptures of bound foreign captives appeared in the pharaoh’s pyramid complex. Pepi I and Pepi II had great numbers of them.

Statues of prisoners were presumably placed in areas where battle and triumph scenes occurred. The consistency of the breaks on these figures at the neck or shoulder and midtorso argue strongly that the statues were ritually executed, presumably to mark some event in the history of the pyramid complex.

Although stereotypes of foreign physiognomies clearly existed during the Old Kingdom, they do not correspond well with those known and identified by ethnicity from the New Kingdom.

This man may represent an enemy from adjacent lands in the north or a Near Easterner. The muscles of his upper body have been stretched out of shape by lashing his elbows behind his back, and he wears an expression that seems to convey profound resignation.

Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, reign of Pepi II, ca. 2246-2152 BC. Painted limestone. From the pyramid complex of Pepi II, Memphite Region, Saqqara. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 47.2