Georges Antoine Rochegrosse (1859-1938), “Le Satyricon” by Gaius Petronius, 1910
I have coincidentally seen this picture in media and was fascinated. Not only because of the amazing effect on me but also it reminded me of one of the greatest movies of all time: Fellini’s Satyricon.
Georges Antoine Rochegrosse is a French painter. Whom I didn’t know how fascinating one he was.
And Gaius (or Titus) Petronius Arbiter, was a Roman courtier during the reign of Nero. He is generally the one who was probably the author of the Satyricon, a satirical novel, which was written during the Neronian era. The Satyricon, or Satyricon liber, is a Latin work of fiction in a mixture of prose and verse. And as we know, the word Satire comes from this.
<p value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">When I saw this picture I was fully surprised how similarity fits with the actor: Max Born as Giton, and I've been more astounded when I found out that this "young boy" as I'd presumed, is really three years older than me!When I saw this picture I was fully surprised how similarity fits with the actor: Max Born as Giton, and I’ve been more astounded when I found out that this “young boy” as I’d presumed, is really three years older than me!
Federico Fellini was and is one of the greatest film-makers in the world and also one of the geniuses who changed my view in the way of seeing things.
I can remember well when Al and I with two other close friends; Bijan and Nasser (they were a pair: Bijan’s a Bi and Nasser was too young to decide!) who had studied in the College of Beautiful Arts with me, after spending our crazy nights together, as the young boys always do, we had to get off out of bed early in the morning to run to catch the bus for being on time into the cinemas, to see such of these movies in the Film Festivals, which were running once in a while in Tehran.
Those days in the early 70s, there were no videos or cartridges to see the beloved and special art-movies. We had only this opportunity to see such Masterpieces. In the Shah’s time, it was possible. Though, the traces of the scissors of the censorship were visible here and there.
We’ve watched this and the other such as “Art-Movies” so often it was possible; so long as they were running on the big screen every time. And every time we’ve enjoyed more. And Federico Fellini’s Cinecittà was not only a Film Studio for us, but it was also a world, to dream and let it be dreaming.
Finally, something for the background.
A clip from “Ciao, Federico” in which young Max Born, dressed for his role as Giton in Satyricon, sings the Bob Dylan song, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
‘Self-Portrait’ (1883) by Valentine Cameron Prinsep
Today, I want to present an amazing and sensational painter; Valentine Cameron Prinsep, under “The Sensual Pre-Raphaelite Art”
At the First Touch of Winter, Summer Fades Away (1897)
The reason is obviously clear when we have a glimpse of his Masterworks. When I, first saw occasionally this painting (s. o.) in the Media with its description, it blew my mind. Of course it seems that I was not alone: our adorable la gentildonna luisa zambrotta (WORDS AND MUSIC AND STORIES) got the same feeling and composed a poem on this seasons substitution: (translated from Italy.🙏💖)
Chills of cold of the morning, darkness that falls quickly, here the touch of Winter drives out a Summer helpless.
Valentine Cameron “Val” Prinsep RA (14 February 1838 / 11 November 1904) was a British painter of the Pre-Raphaelite school. Born in Calcutta, India, he was the second child of Henry Thoby Prinsep, a civil servant of the British Raj. Prinsep travelled in 1856–57 to Helicarnassus (now Bodrum Turkey) for Sir Charles Thomas Newton’s excavation of the ruins.
Il-Barbagianni-The-Owl-1863-
Valentine Cameron Prinsep has a high profile, not only for having been contemporary (and close friend) of big names in the Pre-Raphaelist movement, but also for having been a remarkable artist within said movement himself.
I think there is not a word needed, let’s enjoy some of his great paintings.
The-Gamekeepers-Daughter-1875- Museum of Croydon; (c) Croydon Art Collection; Supplied by The Public Catalogue Foundation
It seems that whenever we look back at our history, we can observe the glorious times; so-called Golden Age, and also inglorious times; so-called Dark Age. Most of the latter comes not only because of the religions but of human’s short-sighted, the prejudice and bigotry (fanaticism). In the western countries is the famous Middle Age but it could, more or less, be rescued from annihilation (Renaissance) though, the catastrophe which took part in the orient is not known so well. What we will read here, is the outcoming of the destruction of a worthy culture which all are results of the mentioned reasons above and unfortunately, it is still continual!
It’s really fascinating, how in Orient there was so much knowledge on the way and how much higher it could go and yet, and how sad it is that they mostly were vanished in Tigris.
In the 9th century AD, during the Abbasid period, there was the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, a library and a translation house. The library contained manuscripts of mathematics, astronomy, various sciences, medicine and philosophy from Persia, India and Greece. It also had astronomical observatories, chemistry and alchemy laboratories, and a science study centre.
The House was created by the Abbasid caliphs Harun al Rashid and his son al-Mamun. Al-Rashid began collecting books in Damascus, Syria – when Damascus was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate at the same time. With this collection, al-Rashid opened a library and named it “Bayt al-Hikma” which in Arabic means “Wisdom Bookstore”.
Thirsty for the science, philosophy, and knowledge of the world, al-Rashid, and later his son al-Mamun, hired Persian and Christian scholars to translate the works into Arabic to develop new knowledge. The library contained works on medicine, alchemy, physics, mathematics, astrology, geography, mapping, zoology, philosophy and other sciences.
In 750 the Umayyad dynasty was replaced by the Abbasid dynasty. In 762, the second Abbasid caliph al-Mansour built Baghdad and made it his capital. Baghdad was a great location for a stable shopping and spiritual centre. Al-Amin succeeded al-Rashid’s father and continued the tradition of translating texts from Greek, Chinese, Sanskrit, Persian and Syriac.
The entire collection of books was transferred to Baghdad, where the same library was established, only this time in a huge palace. Everyone had access to it and everyone could be trained there. The library and its work were supported by everyone, even merchants and the military. Anyone could bring some innovation or a new document. The main activity was the translation of the texts into Arabic, but it was also used for the study. Many engineers and architects in large constructions came from the House of Wisdom. It was the academic centre of the Islamic world.
During al-Mamun’s reign, huge sums of money had been invested in the library and teaching. He personally organized groups of scholars to do research projects to satisfy his personal intellectual needs. Some of his personal works were the mapping of the world, the confirmation of the data of Almagest (the largest and most important astronomical book of Antiquity, whose authority was preserved until the 16th century) and the calculation of the actual size of the Earth. He also participated in excavations in the pyramids of Giza and encouraged scholars to study Egyptology.
The work of the House of Wisdom continued at the same pace during the reigns of the successors of al-Mamun, al-Mutasim, and his son al-Wathik, but declined significantly when al-Mutawakil became caliph, who did have not interested in science and suspended all scientific work carried out in the House of Wisdom. He promoted a more literal interpretation of the Qur’an and Hadith and believed that Greek philosophy was anti-Islamic.
The character of the library has changed completely. Instead of translations by scientists and philosophers, only disciplines related to Islam were translated and taught. In 1258, the city was looted and destroyed by the Mongols of the Ulagan Khan army. Along with the House of Wisdom.
Although, the Persian scholar and prolific writer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi; (he was an architect, astronomer, biologist, chemist, mathematician, philosopher, physician, physicist, scientist and theologian) managed to save about 400,000 manuscripts which he transported to Mara before the siege. The rest of the books had were thrown into the Tigris River. How so many books were destroyed is not known, but it is written that the river is blackened by their ink.
Stele again? Yes! They all always fascinating me, the messages from our past in a beautiful shape. Here is another one. It says about an offer of the ear to be heard by God Amon-Re.
Let’s read this brilliant description by my adorable friend, Marie Grillot , to know more.
This small painted limestone stele – barely 25 cm high and 14 wide – is dated to the Ramesside period. Arched in shape, it is made up of three “registers”.
Detail of the small votive eared stele dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Egyptian Antiquities Service Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566
The upper part occupies the entire hanger. There is, in the centre, a small table of offerings on which is placed an ewer, the most appropriate word would perhaps be “aquamanile” because the water is intended for a liturgical ritual. In perfect symmetry, on either side, two rams in all identical points face each other. They are a representation of the Theban god “Amon-Re, the good ram”. Standing, majestic, in the attitude of walking, they are “capped” with two high feathers at the base of which is the solar disk and the uraeus usual in Amon. They are treated in a fairly neutral colour of beige, which is highlighted by the red-brown lines defining the contours of their silhouette and animated by the green of the “plastron”, the horns and the hooves.
The scene takes place on a mat which delimits the “vignette”.
Detail of the small votive eared stele dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Egyptian Antiquities Service Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566
The lower register is split vertically into two equal parts.
On the left is the dedicatee of the stele: “Bay is represented, the devoted, whose title ‘servant at the seat of Truth’, identifies him with one of the workers who, during the New Kingdom, were responsible for the realization of the royal tombs. The hieroglyphic text above his head indicates his name as well as his function and describes the gesture of Bay, kneeling and the raised hands, which is that of ‘showing his adoration to Amon-Re’ “.
Detail of the small votive eared stele dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Egyptian Antiquities Service Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566
Her face is lit by a large almond-shaped eye surrounded by kohol. Her hair is black and curly, and her slim body is painted in red ocher. He is dressed in a simple pleated white linen loincloth and wears, as only “ornament”, a large dark-coloured collar.
He is praying in front of what makes up the third “section” of the stele: three pairs of ears, each of a different colour. In “The treasures of the Cairo Museum”, Francesco Tiradritti gives this very interesting interpretation: “The different colours of the ears probably refer to three aspects of Amon-Re, a God, thus linked to air and humidity (blue ), sun (yellow), vegetation, and, therefore, earth and water (green) “.
Detail of the small votive eared stele dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Antiquities Service of Egypt Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566
These “votive ear steles” appeared in the 18th Dynasty: they allowed the “common people” to communicate with the gods directly, to make them hear their grievances, their pleas. In “The artists of pharaoh” Matilde Borla specifies that: “The practice of offering to the deity a stele decorated with one or more ears – or models of ears – is quite common in the New Kingdom, from Memphis to Thebes, but also in Sérabit el-Khadim, in Sinai. The availability of the god to listen to the prayer of the man, directly, without an intermediary “.
Small votive stele with ears dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Egyptian Antiquities Service – Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566 published here in: “Deir el-Medina Stelae and Other Inscribed Objects Catalog General Egyptian Museum in Cairo”, Jose M. Galan, Gema Menendez, 2018
Thus, under the XIXth dynasty, Bay which was, as indicated by the hieroglyphic inscription servant the “Place of Truth in the West of Thebes” – the Set Maât her imenty Ouaset of antiquity, the “Deir el-Medineh of today – wanted to “have the ear” of the god he worshipped. To come to his aid, he shaped, or had this stele shaped, to “materialize”, make concrete, his “prayer”.
“Set Maât her imenty Ouaset” – the “Place of Truth in the West of Thebes” from antiquity is today village of Deir el-Medineh
Founded at the beginning of the 18th dynasty during the reign of Thutmose I, the artisan community lived in this village nestled in the hollow of a valley in the Theban mountains. Extended and enlarged several times, notably during the reigns of Thutmose III and the early Ramessids, it was surrounded by high walls. For nearly 500 years, “between 40 and 120 homes” lived there in stone houses covered with a palm-leaf roof, which also had a necropolis and places of worship. If there were shrines dedicated to other deities, including Ptah and Meretseger, the temple that was erected, from the Thutmose period in the northern part, was dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
It was in 1912, during the clearing of this monument, commissioned by Auguste Mariette, and led by one of the directors of the work of the Antiquities Department, Emile Baraize, that the stele was discovered.
Early 20th century postcard representing the temple of Hathor in Deir-el-Medineh “Set Maât her imenty Ouaset” – the “Place of Truth in the West of Thebes” of antiquity
In his “Report of the work carried out at Deir-el-Medineh”, published in volume 13 of the “Annals of the Service of Antiquities”, he describes with precision the catastrophic state in which the temple was located. “The dilapidated state of the temple did not fail to inspire some apprehension. It was the same in the temple for the slabs forming the ceiling which, already split, rested on broken architraves” …
Small votive stele with ears dedicated by Bay to Amon painted limestone – New Kingdom – XIV – XXth Dynasty circa 1200 BC. J.-C. discovered in 1912 in the enclosure of the temple of Hathor in Deir el-Medineh during work carried out by Émile Baraize for the Egyptian Antiquities Service Egyptian Museum in Cairo – JE 43566
After drawing up this inventory and defining the safeguard and restoration plan, consolidation work began on November 15, 1912. Emile Baraize explains in detail the problems he encountered and the techniques used to solve them. On page 21, he begins the “List of main objects found during clearing”. This stele appears there in n ° 3, under its registration reference at the Cairo Museum (JE) 43566 with the following description: “Small painted stele: 1 horizontal register, 2 vertical; horizontal register, two rams. 1 vertical register, the deceased kneeling; 2nd vertical register, six ears. Colors are well preserved “.
The photographer had to snap his fingers to get his notice.
The birthday is always an especial day. though I know and you, who read my posts know too, that in almost every article I wrote, my brother Al accompanied me and his presence has been evident and always helpful. But the day of birth is worthy because we can be thankful for having our beloved ones into this world and by our side. I believe that it’ll ever be.
He is always in my every-day life and almost permanently with me in my posts. I can never take a step without him. But, his anniversary is for me a special day, and this time he’d be 68 years old. This number is an important number for us (the peoples from that period): a number for the beginning of an era: peace, freedom, and love. A movement that looking forward to such events like Woodstock with Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Crosby/Still/ Nash and Young… The flowers generation.
And in this case, my lovely brother has an unaging birthday. Because this era is an endless time: love and peace forever. He will never get older, isn’t it fantastic?
Al, Mum and me; We had blond hair at that age which was somehow strange.
Another point is that his birthday is after the day in which John Lennon has been shot dead. It’s for me a mixture of sadness and happiness and I must combine both. This is, as we might call, the game of fate.
Though, when I look through the past, there are a lot of similarities between Al and John. They were both in love with their mothers, had an unusual and unique way of life, and solitary. Therefore, I share this unique song by John again, not only because of that was one of Al’s beloved songs, but also because of its other title: Nothing Gonna Change my World. They both were convinced of this.
As you notice, I was often posting these latest days. Yes; there were many themes which have laid in my heart. Thank you for your commiseration. 🙏💖🙏
Today as we all know, is the day in which 40 years ago, John Lennon has been shot dead. I have titled my post as; “Why”, because, as we also know, there have many assassinations been taken part in (political) history and many famous and mostly good people were killed, but, all of these happenings have some justification though, all of which are sad excuses. But I still can’t understand why John Lennon.
They say the culprit was not in a normal condition which in my opinion, is bullshit! To shoot a peaceful man, who has always said and sung about love and peace, a certain determination must be needed which would bring someone to do this. This man was aware of what he’d done. Oh sad, sad, sad, it a sad world!
The only joy is the remaining of his words and songs about peace and love. John, you are always in our hearts.
“Across The Universe” (“Let It Be” Version)
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru deva om Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes They call me on and on across the universe Thoughts meander like a restless wind Inside a letter box they Tumble blindly as they make their way Across the universe
Jai guru deva om Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing Through my open ears inciting and inviting me Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns And calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru deva om Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world Nothing’s gonna change my world
Jai guru deva Jai guru deva Jai guru deva Jai guru deva Jai guru deva Jai guru deva…
“Jai Guru Deva Om” is a mantra in Sanskrit used in meditations. “Guru Dev” is another name of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, who was the teacher of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who—in turn—was the guru to The Beatles.
Honestly, the idea to write these memories was because I wanted to talk about the effect of psychedelic drugs on our unconsciousness. I have already had the idea a long time ago to write about this period of my life, but I was not sure if I should or even could talk about it. Of course not because I am shy or afraid doing so; it is just because of society, whether they understand correctly. I have once or twice shared my thought with some people about this issue and noticed how they reacted; they believed I’m making advertisements on this theme. No, it’s not my intention!
Anyway, I have developed myself in my way of making music, I got a big set of drums and began to play as a professional, and Al and I put our differences aside. There’s a friend of mine who played the guitars and we had got many performances together, within music bands or even alone as a duo on the stage. We had a lot of fun those days, and the only drug we have used was hash or marijuana. Those were the days
But my musical career has not lasted so long because our mother became sick and the diagnosis was blood cancer. And it took only some months, till she left us. I was in my highest hippy times those days, and it broke my heart, but on the other hand, this brought Al and me closer to each other.
The door had been opened and we were being involved in many kinds of drugs which I’d call this “our common riots”. That was after we’d lost our mother and we wanted to hide in our hut; hide from family and the world, and just wanted being left alone. Among the drugs there were some dangerous ones which were unavoidable; like the opium or the heroin, that I’d say, we were lucky to get rid of them, of course, we had needed for it many years. In between, we had also experienced the LSD, this one I’d never regret. It helped us to get a wider vision towards life, and death. In my opinion, it can still be used as a medical solution for many different psychedelics disease.
Some people may think that we don’t need any kind of drugs to reach out to the inner mind. I met many people to discuss this theme. One of them was a Shamanist, who told me that she had never needed such a substance (like Ayahuasca) to get to the other side, it only required dancing with special music. She said that she could convince me if I would join her once. I liked the idea, we met in her apartment and danced almost through the night. It was a very nice and unforgettable experience for me and in the end, we had wonderful sex. Although, what I meant was another kind of trips to reach out the inner soul. And it needs drugs but, a well made and professional.
Another example: when I was busy in my full job, I had a customer, a psychologist, every time that she was in my car, we had talked on our way about people and the world, in-between, we became so much closer than we have also talked about our pasts, losses, and the experiences in our youth. I told her about ours (Al’s and mine) addictions time, and she told me about her sister’s (she had nothing to do with drugs herself), but when I told her about our experiences on LSD and the famous Dr Timothy Leary’s ideas, she became very sad, I was surprised and wanted to know the reason why. She raised her wet eyes towards me and said; no! His idea killed my sister, she followed him blindly and finally committed suicide! Of course, it was like a shock for me and I couldn’t say a word anymore though, I am still convinced that it is not the fault of this or that ideas, it is the comprehension of the ideas and the way how to use them.
John Lennon insisted that his song; Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is not about LSD, though I think there’s something in it!
Al and I had about nine times practice on LSD, the beginning was the enjoyment of the lights and the music. We have comprehended that sometimes we might not be aware of how deeply we would feel the arts when we looked at like a painting or listen to a song. And when we’ve reached the eighth or ninth time, we could even separate our souls from our bodies. (It was winter and I was able to let the cold pass by me like an object!) We have found out the connection between them, and finally, understood the power of our souls. Sorry, It is very hard for me to explain or put in the word.
As you might notice, the quotation which I’ve written under the title of my blog; “Turn on, Tune in, Drop out”, is from Timothy Leary. Timothy Francis Leary was an American psychologist and writer known for his strong advocacy of psychedelic drugs. Evaluations of Leary are polarized, ranging from bold oracle to publicity hound. He was “a hero of American consciousness”, according to Allen Ginsberg, and Tom Robbins called him a “brave neuronaut”. Wikipedia
We always have urged people: Don’t take LSD unless you are very well prepared, unless you are specifically prepared to go out of your mind. Don’t take it unless you have someone that’s very experienced with you to guide you through it. And don’t take it unless you are ready to have your perspective on yourself and your liferadicallychanged, because you’re gonna be a different person, and you should be ready to face this possibility. CBC Documentary: How To Go Out of Your Mind: The LSD Crisis (1966)
He had not got as famous to reach the whole world; we didn’t know him in Iran those days until we heard this song by Moody Blues Album: Legend Of Mind
Actually, the main goal belongs to Albert Hofmann, who discovered or better to say the invented the LSD.
Albert Hofmann was a Swiss chemist known best for being the first known person to synthesize, ingest, and learn of the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide. Hofmann was also the first person to isolate, synthesize, and name the principal psychedelic mushroom compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Wikipedia
I hope this long story did not bother or anger you because it does seem like an advertisement for drugs! I have just written about my experiences and over that my opinion. I wish you all Love & peace and be safe. I end this trilogy with another quotation of Terence Mckenna; I think he doesn’t need to be introduced.
It might be unnecessary to note that today it will be only one post from me. I’ve got an operation on my forehead on Thursday, to rid a big pimple and I am a bit tired. I look just like a boxer after his fight who is waiting to hear the result! Though, there’s no way means you will pass me by; The riot keeps going…
Today is the 85th anniversary of a genius in the matter of the filmmakers.
He surely belongs to one of the promoters of comedy movies with a touch of intelligence.
He might not be as popular with some people as it used to be at the time, because of some rumours, but I consider him as a great director and filmmaker in the history of films.
His some of Masterworks: Manhattan, Annie Hall, Hannah and her Sisters, the Purple Rose of Cairo, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Radio Days, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Stardust Memories…. etc, etc
And he’s also a great writer, let’s have some of his quotes:
The heart wants what it wants. There’s no logic.
If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.
Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable.
Tradition is the illusion of permanence.
Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.
It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.
My one regret in life is that I am not someone else. Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering – and it’s all over much too soon.
I’d never join a club that would allow a person like me to become a member.
I love all of his movies though, one of them lies on my heart: Radio Days: I can remember well how we as children, have listened to the radio so agitated, there weren’t any TVs yet! I think that the radios have inspired a lot of imagination.
Who was Ptah? Ptah was the Memphis creator god of craftsmen, the earth and the Underworld. Ptah is depicted in a similar form to Osiris tightly wrapped like a mummy with green skin (the symbol of rebirth and regeneration). Ptah was also depicted holding the Staff of Dominion combining the Was Scepter (power), the Ankh (life) and the Djed (stability). His headdress was a blue cap crown. His titles: The “Lord of Truth”, the “Noble Djed”, the “First of the gods” and “He who set all the gods in their places and gave all things the breath of life”
It’s really fascinating to find more and more Gods in this magical land Egypt.
Discover the legends and myths and religious beliefs surrounding Ptah, the Egyptian creator god of craftsmen, the earth and the Underworld. His major cult center was at Memphis, he was the chief god of the Memphis Triad with his wife the lioness goddess Sekhmet and his son Nefertum. The priests of Memphis assimilated all aspects of the Osiris myth in favour of Ptah and the new Memphite Cosmogony (creation myth). The Memphis version of the creation myth existed alongside the Ennead of Heliopolis, but its followers believed that Ptah created Atum and the ocean from which he rose. Over time Ptah assumed the role of Osiris (hence their similarities in pictures) and credited with inventing the ‘opening of the mouth’ ceremony. http://www.landofpyramids.org/ptah.htm
Let another Stele talks about this amazing God; of course through the beautiful description by Marie Grillot Marie Grillothttp://Marie Grillot
The Nit-Ptah stele: a family on the march for eternity
Stele of Nit-Ptah – painted limestone – End of the Middle Kingdom Discovered in Assassif (tomb R6, near tomb MMA 37), in 1915-1916 by the expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York led by Ambrose Lansing Registered in the Journal of Entries of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo under number JE 45625
Four characters, a man, a woman, then again a man, a woman walk in the same direction, in perfect osmosis, in close “communion”. The movement is so well made that we imagine ourselves following this small procession. Even if there are some differences between the “two couples”, the impression of symmetry is striking.
The rhythm of this “procession” is also maintained by the contrast generated by the treatment of the colour of the flesh: that of the women is treated in a light yellow, almost white, while that of the men is an ocher-red.
This scene exudes great elegance as well as the feeling of being in a ‘world’ imbued with nobility and dignity.
Detail of the Nit-Ptah stele – painted limestone – End of the Middle Kingdom Discovered in Assassif (tomb R6, near tomb MMA 37), in 1915-1916, by the expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York led by Ambrose Lansing Registered in the Journal of Entries of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo under number JE 45625
The first character (from the right) is Nit-Ptah (son of Ay); he is followed by his wife Seni; then come their son Antef and their daughter Djedou.
The head of the family, with black hair and short beard, is dressed in a simple white loincloth that reaches above the knee. It is adorned with a necklace with several rows, blue-turquoise, and a bracelet, the same colour, on each wrist. His left-hand carries, upright and straight, a stick that is almost his size, while in his right hand he holds horizontally what could be a cane, or a whip, which seems curved at one end. The areola of her breast, like that of the other characters, is materialized in black.
His wife Seni, “daughter of Tai”, follows him. Thin and slender, wearing a long three-part wig, she wears a beautiful long tight dress, held by two wide straps and leaving the chest exposed. This elegant outfit (in fishnet?) Uses a diamond pattern, available on three levels, respectively turquoise, red and black. A “dress background” is available in prints with red shades. The straps are turquoise in colour, as is the necklace and the large bracelets that adorn her wrists and ankles.
She may have paused for a few moments to breathe in the lotus flower she is holding in her left hand. The lotus which she encircles with the other hand is still in bud. In ancient Egypt, the lotus is highly symbolic; assimilated to rebirth, it is considered “the initial flower”, “the symbol of the birth of the divine star”. When the sun has finished its course, it takes refuge in the lotus to plunge back into the wave from which it will not emerge until the next morning … Thus, the cycle begins again every day, since the dawn of time … This gesture, marked with solemnity, is therefore highly important for the fate of the deceased.
Detail of the Nit-Ptah stele – painted limestone – End of the Middle Kingdom Discovered in Assassif (tomb R6, near tomb MMA 37), in 1915-1916, by the expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York led by Ambrose Lansing Registered in the Journal of Entries of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo under number JE 45625
Antef, the son, is the third character: if not the hairstyle, he looks like his father in every way. Djedou, their daughter, brings up the rear. She is, so to speak, “the portrait of her mother”. The only difference lies in her dress, which is plain, a very bright turquoise blue.
Detail of the Nit-Ptah stele – painted limestone – End of the Middle Kingdom Discovered in Assassif (tomb R6, near tomb MMA 37), in 1915-1916 by the expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York led by Ambrose Lansing Registered in the Journal of Entries of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo under number JE 45625
A few lines of hieroglyphics are inscribed in black above this touching family scene. They indicate in particular: “that the deceased and the members of his family benefit from the state of ‘imakhu’ (a term generally translated as ‘venerated, revered’) with the god Ptah-Sokaris, to whom they ask to intercede in order to that their ka can feed on ‘beer, (meat of) cattle and poultry’ “. (Rosanna Pirelli, “The Wonders of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo”).
This limestone stele, 23 cm high and 30 cm wide, is dated to the end of the Middle Kingdom. It was discovered, on the west bank of Louqsor, in Assassif, during the First World War, during excavations carried out in 1915-1916 by the expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York which had held the concession since the 1912-1913 season). The mission was then led by Ambrose Lansing with whom Harry Burton and Howard Carter were associated.
View of the Assassif plain at the foot of the temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari
It is precisely at the foot of the temple of Hatshepsut: “to the left of the courtyard of the tomb MMA 37, that several small tombs were found, they were given the numbers R1 to R12”. Dated from the Middle Kingdom, they respect the funerary architecture.
The stele was in tomb R6. Mohamed Saleh and Hourig Sourouzian (Official Catalog Egyptian Museum of Cairo) who qualify it as: “Naive, conventional but attractive by its bright colours” provide these interesting details: “It was in one of the tombs of the ancient necropolis of ‘Assassif, which later found themselves covered or destroyed by the causeways of the temples of the XVIIIth Dynasty at Deir el-Bahari, and under the lower temple of Hatshepsut “.
It was registered in the Journal of Entries of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo under number JE 45625. In December 2015, when a small museum was opened in the transit hall of Terminal 3 of Cairo airport, it was there. exposed.
Treasures of Egypt – The Wonders of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Francesco TiradrittiOfficial catalog Egyptian Museum of Cairo, Mohamed Saleh, Hourig Sourouzian, Verlag Philippe von Zabern, 1997The Treasures of Ancient Egypt at the Cairo Museum, National GeographicThe Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, May 1917 https://www.jstor.org/stable/3253911?seq=12#page_scan_tab_contents
It is sometimes strange, to see a black sheep in a crowded white sheep. Or another way around, what so ever; it is so, sometimes you are the other sheep, and you must fight for your rights. I just followed my instinct. I thought I have sacrificed so much grief for the lie of my mother in the case of my father’s death, then I let my feelings explode, let them go their way, I just needed it! Then I was also promised with my abilities to arts, I began with drums as I was lucky to get a birthday present from my cousin; a small compact drum with two small snare-drums on bass-drum and a little drums basin swinging above. I hammered it so perfect that all the people around were amused. Therefore, I decided to make music.
I have got friends, in the downtown who were very active in the music scene, and I had to get there to achieve my goal but this was dangerous in my outfit walking in Tehran’s downtown. Before the revolution, Tehran was separated into two parts; uptown and downtown. Uptown belonged to not only rich people but also modern livings and in the latter were living not only poor but also a very traditional and religious people, it is clear that there was a big difference therebetween. We (the Fazel family) didn’t belong to any part; as I believe the artists have their own class in the society, not up, not down, somewhere else! And my appearance, in this figure; somehow European but being a fellow-citizen, was an offence in the religious life of the peoples in the downtown, and every time when I got in there, to play the drums at my friend’s stay, I had to ignore a lot of mocking reactions. Even sometimes I had to defend myself. I don’t want to write on this part here, I was convinced to be what I am, therefore I am.
Here I am about eighteen, Of course, I’ll want to sure you, I am not so bad as I’m looking like. But it is the highest point of my rebellion. Just born to be wild!
As you might read in my face (if you could recognize something 😉) I felt and found myself as an Alien those days. I had just a few friends who thought and lived the way like me. Then, I have discerned the solitude, and slowly but surely found my way.
Sex, Drugs and Rock & roll I said, and yes! I was ready to try all kind of these things. Let’s be misbehaved!
As I remember well, once I wanted to meet a friend; Mahmud, from downtown, also with long hair, my mother didn’t agree, but I have insisted to go. I was about eighteen years old and I felt free to decide (though it was not so common!). Al had noticed and wanted to stop me. I must confess that we had some different opinions about the way of life in that period of our age. He was mostly rather indoor, he knew what he wanted; became a writer. I didn’t know what I really wanted to be, just wanna breaking through!. Of course, he was not against my decision in this very evening to get out and meet my friends but because of our mother’s disagreement, and his love towards her was stronger than letting me go. We have argued a little and a little more than we have struggled! Of course not so as it might sound, he had tried to hold me back and I wanted to go. Anyway, I won or he gave it up, I went to meet my friend and it was really an amazing adventure for me, to meet some musicians and have a lot of fun. Let me tell you an example that you can better understand my excitement; we went to a music studio in which some guys were playing, suddenly one of them on guitar said; hey mates, have you heard this new song? then had begun to play Popcorn! Do you know or remember this? dido dido dudido, dido dido dudido… and me as a layman: 😳😮😍
After that I have found out that Al was not so decent as I have thought, he had a secret relationship with the sister of Mahmud and didn’t tell me a word!
I want to cut it here and let it be continued again because I hate to be too long and boring, I know you read my story just because of me, 🙏 therefore, I will write a Third episode, there I will try tell about the differences of drugs and their working (on Al and me at least). Thank you heartily 💖🙏💖
lampmagician 
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