Egyptian Stele of a Syrian Mercenary

Illustration

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 07 September 2019
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Egyptian Stele of a Syrian Mercenary Download Full Size Image

A mid 2nd Millennium BCE painted limestone stele showing a Syrian mercenary drinking beer. The mercenary;s name is Terura and his wife's name is Arbura. His facial features and dress clearly identify him as a Syrian. While his wife is also Syrian, she wears the traditional Egyptian attire and wig. Terura drinks wine (less probably beer) through a long curved lead tube from an amphora. The long lance behind him and the dagger in his belt suggest that he is a soldier; Syrian mercenaries were incorporated in large number in the Egyptian army during the New Kingdom.

The scene reflects a festive event and that the stele was placed in a house rather than inside a tomb. Probably from Amarna, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten), 1351-1334 BCE. It is on display at the Neues Museum, Berlin, Germany.

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

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APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2019, September 07). Egyptian Stele of a Syrian Mercenary. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11155/egyptian-stele-of-a-syrian-mercenary/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Egyptian Stele of a Syrian Mercenary." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 07, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11155/egyptian-stele-of-a-syrian-mercenary/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Egyptian Stele of a Syrian Mercenary." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 07 Sep 2019. Web. 22 Feb 2025.

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