Date: Friday, November 16, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

Tut captives

Chapter: Washington, D.C.

Presenter: Mark Janzen, University of Memphis

Location: Benjamin T. Rome Auditorium of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Lecture is free and open to the public. Please come and bring a guest.

Description: New Kingdom pharaohs were quick to display their dominance over foreign captives in a variety of contexts — reliefs on temple walls, statuary, ceremonial objects, etc. — using brutal and degrading imagery. Depictions of these captives in humiliating or torturous poses are ubiquitous in Egyptian iconography and reflect the celebratory nature of royal ideology.

Due to the simple fact that such depictions are found most often in religious contexts and make frequent use of ideology, they are often dismissed as lacking historical value. However, the ideological significance of artistic and literary presentations of foreign prisoners must be given its due attention as part of the larger picture of Egyptian views towards foreigners. In many cases, historical specifics emerge even though much of the evidence is rhetorical. This presentation aims to determine, when possible, the Egyptians’ intentions in bringing captives back to Egypt, the fates of those captives, and the mindset of the Egyptians regarding foreign prisoners of war.

Mark Janzen

About the Speaker: Mark Janzen is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Memphis, History Department, emphasis Egyptology. Having completed his comprehensive exams and defended his prospectus, he anticipates graduating in May, 2013. He received his Masters of Arts from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL in Near Eastern Archaeology and Semitic Languages.

He has conducted archaeological field-work in Egypt under Dr. James K. Hoffmeier at Tell el-Borg in North Sinai. In 2011, he had the good fortune of being able to work with Dr. Peter J. Brand on The Great Hypostyle Hall project at Karnak Temple. His interests center primarily on Egyptian foreign relations, particularly during the New Kingdom. He also studies Levantine Archaeology and Ancient Near East History.

"Meet Our Speaker" Dinner!

Following the lecture, we invite interested members and their friends to join us for dinner across the street at the Beacon Hill Bar & Grill (1615 Rhode Island Ave NW, WDC 20036). There will be a $5 speaker contribution for all attendees and you can order what you wish from their delicious menu (click the link below to see everything they offer):

Beacon Hill Bar and Grill Menu

Seats are limited so if you would like to join us, please email Sue McGovern-Huffman before Tuesday 11/14/12 at: arce.dc.news@gmail to reserve your place.