![]() ![]() It seems that going fishing is something that all fathers have loved since time immemorial. This tomb is decorated with various scenes of the activities that father and son carried out in life. Mekhu and son Sabni fishing together in the afterlife, from tombs QH 25 and 26 at Qubbet el Hawa photo by L. In such a way, Sabni ensured father and son could enjoy a fine afterlife together. The peculiarity of this tomb is that after the completion of Mekhu’s burial, new rooms were added to accommodate other members of the family, including Sabni himself. ![]() He brought it home to Upper Egypt giving him a proper burial in a spacious tomb carved in stone, with all the nice things dad loved (scenes of delicious offerings, dedications and pleasant activities) to ensure a happy journey to the Duat. When Mekhu passed away, his son Sabni not only took it upon himself to go down south to Nubia and collect his father’s body. Mekhu and Sabni were governors (nomarchs) at the end of the 6th Dynasty during the reign of Pepi II (2278-2247 BC). It was built by a loving son Sabni for his dad, Mekhu. Way up in the hills of Elephantine across the river from Aswan city, there is a fascinating family tomb of Old Kingdom officials. Olaf Tausch, “Figure of Sabni at the entrance of this tomb”, Qubbet el-Hawa Mechu Sabni. They were designated to assist him in the performance of his duties and eventually succeed him. Children were often referred to as “the staff of their father’s old age”. For the ancient Egyptians, sons, and daughters were a blessing, though not for the reasons you are thinking. Fortunately, not all father-son relationships in Ancient Egypt are as dramatic as that. What a wonderful story demonstrating a son’s powerful love for his father – and successful mission to avenge his murder! From father to son: parenthood and the throne of Egypt. ![]() He became the king of Egypt on Earth, while dad Osiris ruled the Underworld. After many “contendings” (in other words, rounds of battle, one in which Horus even lost an eye), Horus prevailed – and won back the throne that had been taken from his father. He challenged Seth to a duel to decide who would be the new king of Egypt. Once Horus became an adult, he rose up to avenge his father’s death. Thanks to her magical powers, Isis was able to bring Osiris back to life and through an extra spell or two become pregnant with Horus, the falcon god and a great son indeed. She found all but one (the naughty bit – eaten by a Nile fish). Isis, the wife and sister of Osiris, stricken with grief, travelled all the deserts of Egypt collecting the different body parts of Osiris that Seth had scattered throughout the land of the Nile. Unfortunately, Osiris was murdered at the hands of his brother Seth, who wanted his title. A fine fellow everyone loved and respected. Osiris is the god we today associate with the afterlife, but in mythology is portrayed as the first great king of Egypt. It is within these triads we find one of the most famous paternal-filial duos in the history of Ancient Egypt: the gods Osiris and Horus. Rogers Fund, “Triad of Osiris, Isis, and Horus”, The Metropolitan Art Museum. ![]()
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