Horse Imagery in Ancient Egyptian Funerary Art: The Unique Tomb of Mostafa Kamel

The ancient city of Alexandria was founded in 331 BCE by Alexander the Great on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. This was the bright and bustling capital of the Hellenistic world. Inside the city, the Greek colonists, Macedonian soldiers and Egyptians created a multicultural society who expressed their most valuable beliefs through new and unique art styles. The underground necropolis known as The Tombs of Mostafa Kamel capture this beautifully. The Tombs of Mostafa Kamel were built in the ancient part of Alexandria known as Rushdy. They are famous around the world for their beautiful architecture as well as the painted stucco walls and many mythical images. Horse imagery is used throughout the complex. Looking into the military background of the early city of Alexandria, the mythical nature of horses, the wall paintings of Mostafa Kamel and what they represent in relation to culture will create an unforgettable experience into the art and archaeology of Graeco-roman Egypt.

1. Background

The reason horse imagery is so prominent in the Tombs of Mostafa Kamel is due to the military make-up of early Ptolemaic Alexandria.

A. Alexander’s Cavalrymen

When Alexander the Great invaded Egypt and created his new capital city, his cavalry was key to his military success and power. The cavalrymen were mainly nobles from Macedonia, Thessaly and Greek mercenaries. They were granted land to farm (Cleruchies) and were treated with great respect throughout Egypt.

B. Status and Heroes

The horses were extremely important to the early Greeks and Macedonians. They were seen as the ultimate image of status, wealth, and were a symbol of being a hero. Heroes and Kings in Classical Greece were almost always shown on horses. When the military men died they were buried in the eastern necropolis of Alexandria. Those who survived would commission their tombs to be decorated to show how respected they were for being a part of the cavalry.

2. Design of the Tombs

These tombs were built as underground Hypogea. They replicate the layout of a luxurious Greek house (Oikos) and were cut from the soft white limestone.

A. Peristyle Court

Tomb Number One has a large open courtyard surrounded by beautifully detailed fluted columns.

B. Frieze of Tomb Number Two

Tomb Number Two is famous for having beautifully well preserved painted friezes. Horses are prominent in this image. The horses are featured in the top section of the tomb where the moulding meets the stucco. The artists used vibrant natural colours to paint the horses. They used Egyptian Blue, Ochre, Yellow and Black.

3. Style of the Horses

The horses displayed in the tombs have been detailed very well using classical Greek style and early Hellenistic techniques.

A. Detailed Anatomy

Unlike Pharaonic reliefs which often show animals with no depth, the horses have been painted with amazing detail. The artists showed off their skill by:

Detail: The horses are detailed with muscle on the shoulders, curves on the neck, slim legs and wide nostrils.

Action: The horses are shown in different actions such as prancing, rearing and standing. The horses have wonderful tack including harnesses, headstalls and colourfully decorated saddles typical of Hellenistic cavalry.

B. Soldiers

Along with the horses there are young Macedonian soldiers. They are dressed in traditional clothing including short tunics (Chitons), thick wool cloaks (Chlamydes) and wore a Petasos or Flat Cap. The soldiers represent the ‘ephebe’ – the ideal young Greek hero. Their faces are portrayed in an idealised way with peaceful looks and stood tall.

4. Symbolism

Horses were used in many mythologies throughout the ancient Mediterranean.

A. Psychopomp

Horses were often used as Psychopomps throughout many cultures. Psychopomps are creatures that could take the souls (Psyche) of people to the other side of the world. In Greek myth the horses would pull the chariot of Helios across the sky and carry heroes to the Isles of the Blessed. Families would paint horses on the walls of their tombs to represent that they hoped their loved ones would be taken quickly and safely to their peaceful afterlife.

B. Heroisation

In Classical Greece those who had done extremely well in life (Athletes and soldiers) could become heroes. Having a depiction of a victorious horseman on the walls of the tomb represented that they had become heroes.

5. Cultural Fusion

The horses are a great example of the culture fusion within Graeco-Roman Egypt. Although the style, details and theme were based off the Macedonian and Greek cultures, the fact they were drawn on the walls of an underground tomb shows similarities to the ancient Egyptian culture. In Pharaonic tombs those buried would have reliefs depicting them as successful hunters, soldiers and performing rituals to the gods to be reborn in the afterlife. The Macedonian soldier on the horse has replaced the Egyptian Pharaoh killing foreign enemies however the reason for having the horses in the tomb remains the same. They wanted to guarantee eternal victory.

In modern times the Tombs of Mostafa Kamel have protection. They are an open air site looked after by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. There are environmental projects to keep the humidity, airflow and lighting at certain levels to stop the stucco from becoming damaged by salt and the city.

Conclusion

The horses within the Tombs of Mostafa Kamel are a stunning piece of art showing the brilliance of art and cultural diversity in early Ptolemaic Alexandria. The creators took the classical Macedonian cavalry and made them into symbols of becoming a hero and being taken by a divine creature. These unique tombs are now under the busy city of Alexandria. The dynamic horses continue to amaze the public and give us insight into how the soldiers and settlers of ancient times would ride into eternity.