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Relief of Temple Courtyard with Incense Burners and Altars, ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E.. Limestone, 9 1/8 x 21 1/4 in. (23.2 x 53.9 cm). Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 61.195.3. Creative Commons-BY.
Relief of Temple Courtyard with Incense Burners and Altars
ca. 1352-1336 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Altars laden with food offerings appear frequently in temple decorations, reflecting the importance of such offerings in temple rituals. The Egyptians believed the ka-soul of each deity, king, or mortal whose statue stood in a temple consumed and benefited from the essence of offerings. (The actual food was divided among the temple’s clergy.)