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Nine Works of Objective Art
Website Created By Phil Norfleet

Dynasty 30 were the last native Egyptian rulers. The stela is made of Greywacke
and measures: height - 2 ft. 8.9 in., width - 13.2 in., and depth - 5.7 in. It is
generally considered to be the finest and most elaborate example of Egyptian
magical stelae. The stela was made by an Egyptian priest named Esatum and was
originally erected in a necropolis of sacred bulls. In 1828, the stela was
presented by the Egyptian Khedive, Muhammad Ali, to the Chancellor of the Austrian
Empire, Prince Metternich. The stela remained in the Metternich family until
shortly before its purchase by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1950.

Egyptologists believe that this type of stelae was used in rituals designed to
protect the ancient Egyptians from dangerous animals such as crocodiles and
poisonous snakes. The Metternich Stela is the largest, most complete and most
finely carved stela of its kind that has survived down to the present day.

The top portion of the stela depicts the solar disk which represents the sun god
Re (Ra), who was worshiped by the New Kingdom Egyptians as both the sun god and
the king of all the gods. On each side of the solar disk are two groups each of
four baboons. On the far left is the messenger god Thoth. On the far right is the
image of the reigning pharaoh Nectanebo II, who bows in the direction of the solar
disk.

Below the solar disk figures are five lines of hieroglyphs. Below these
hieroglyphs is the main bas-relief panel of the stela which portrays Horus as a
child standing on the crocodile god Sobek. Sobek was the god who devoured the
souls of the dead who had been condemned by the Judge of the Dead, Osiris.

Above the head of Horus is a face mask of the dwarf god Bes, who is the guardian
of the household, childbirth and newly born children. On both sides of Bes are the
hieroglyphic symbols for the "Eye of Horus" which symbolized strength, vigor, and
self-sacrifice (also see below).

The figure standing to the left of Horus is Re-Harakhty, a god in the form of a
falcon-headed man, who embodies the characteristics of both Re and Horus (he is
also called "Horus of the Horizon"). Re-Harakhty stands on a serpent symbolizing
Apophis, the god of chaos. Both to the right and left of Horus and Re-Harakhty are
depicted symbols of divine kingship.

On the far left of the center panel is the goddess Isis, mother of Horus; she also
stands upon an Apophis serpent. Directly behind Isis is the standard of the
vulture goddess of the south or upper Egypt. On the far right of the center panel
is the god of Wisdom, Thoth, standing on an Apophis serpent. Directly behind
Thoth is the standard of the serpent goddess of the north or lower Egypt.

The rest of the stela is covered with hieroglyphics from top to bottom and also on
both sides. These hieroglyphics relate stories of the gods and their experiences
with poisonous animals. There are also many cures and spells for different types
of sicknesses caused by these animals.

Most Egyptologists believe that the main function of the Metternich Stela was for
the magical healing of poisons, mostly caused by animal bites. Water was poured
over the Stela and collected. The water from the Stela was then drunk by the
person suffering from the poisonous ailment. That person would identify with the
child Horus who had also suffered such tragedies. During the entire process
religious rites from the Stela were recited by local priests.

The first few spells on the stela are related to snakes and other poisonous
creatures. To the Egyptians, the most powerful evil god was the serpent Apophis
who represented the forces of chaos. Apophis was the principal enemy of Re (Ra)
and is the equivalent of the Christian devil. The magic spells purportedly cause
Apophis to be cut into pieces and burn. The spell also forced the serpent to vomit
and while the priest recited this spell the afflicted person would also vomit thus
freeing his/her body of the poison.

Another spell made use of cats. Cats were believed to contain divine power which
could destroy any sort of poison. The spell requests Re to assist the cat in
defeating the power of Apophis.

The remainder of the Stela contains inscriptions that relate stories about being
poisoned and spells which provided appropriate cures. The most famous story is
that of "Isis and the Seven Scorpions." This story takes up the majority of the
stela and is most referenced when it came to ailments dealing with poisons.

Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris; Osiris had once been the living ruler of
Egypt. However, Osiris was killed by his brother Set who had been jealous of his
power. Set chopped up Osiris's body into fourteen parts and scattered them

throughout Egypt. However, Isis collected the body parts and through the use of
magic, brought Osiris back to life. She then conceived the child Horus with the
resurrected Osiris. Subsequently, Osiris became the ruler of the dead and king of
the underworld. But the land of Egypt was then ruled by no one.

Set believed that he would soon become the pharaoh of the living Egypt; however,
he didn't know was that Isis was pregnant with the child of Osiris, i.e., Horus.
After Isis gave birth to Horus, she thought that he would become the new pharaoh
of the living because of his birthright. When Set found out he became very angry.
Set had the child Horus poisoned by seven (a highly significant number!)
scorpions, animals that are also frequently associated with the serpent demon,
Apophis. Isis was outraged that her child should die in such a manner. She cried
out to the king of the gods, Re (Ra), and asked him for aid. Re sent Thoth who
cured the child of the sickness. The ancient Egyptians believed that this cure
could be applied to ordinary people who suffered from poisons. These people could
become possessed by the spirit of Horus and be cured just as Horus had been. From
that point Re acted as an advocate for Horus, just as Osiris would have done if he
had been still alive on Earth.

Horus later fought Set to see who would become the pharaoh of the living. During the fight Set ripped out Horus's eye and won the battle. This is where the symbol the "Eye of Horus" is derived. Set then indeed became the pharaoh of the living.

Isis could not stand by and let this happen because her son was the rightful
ruler. She went into the underworld disguised and sought out Set. She told him how
an evil man took something from her son that was rightfully his. Set ordered to
have this corrected, not knowing to whom she was referring. Isis then revealed
herself to Set and he tried to recant, but Re witnessed the event and made Horus
the pharaoh of the living.

Egyptologists believe that the stories inscribed on this stela, especially the one regarding Isis and Horus, are the most comprehensive found on any ancient Egyptian monument.

In my opinion, the Metternich Stela is one of the most impressive works of art in the entire Metropolitan Museum. The message of the stela is much more than just a recitation of ritual spells to cure snake and other animal bites. In allegorical form, it depicts the way in which the forces of chaos and death (symbolized by the seven scorpions) could be defeated, by the principles embodied by three (another highly significant number) Egyptian gods Re-Harakhty, Isis and Thoth.

Official Museum Description
The following is a description from a Metropolitan Museum of Art training guide
for teachers entitled The Art of Ancient Egypt:

On the part below the central figure panel, rows of hieroglyphs spell out thirteen
magic spells to protect against poisonous bites and wounds and to cure the
sicknesses caused by them. The stela was commissioned by the priest Esatum to be
set up in the public part of a temple. The spells could be recited or, equally
effective, the victim could drink water that had been poured over the magic words
and images on the stela.

The hieroglyphic inscription around the base describes as a mythic precedent the magic cure that was worked upon the infant Horus by Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing. The story is part of the larger myth of Isis and Osiris, which relates