Egyptian

Great Pyramids, Gizah

Architectural Wonders Built for the Divine

2490-2472 BCE

 

The Egyptians had a much different view of Deity and the nature of God and his creation of earth than their neighbors near the Mediterranean/Eastern worlds. They envision that at the time of creation, God brought light into the world on a large mound. Later the mound was formalized into a pyramid structure and form. The pyramid stone, called the benben supported one of the Gods the Egyptians idolized; the God being the Supreme God- even the God of the Sun. The architectural structures of pyramids were constructed as a place for the transition to the afterlife and in ascension to the heavens.  The larger pyramids being the tombs, temples, and sanctuaries for the men and some had smaller ones near as a place of tomb, temple, and sanctuary for their wife/wives. 75 years was consumed in the building of the Great Pyramids in Gizah. They believed that the supreme God also created the first of the other Gods and Goddesses of Egypt. This particular God and creator also brought into the world the primary male and female forces in the universe. Talk about Deity- Egypt worshipped those on earth 

Hatshepsut

Woman Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty

1492-1479 BCE

Among the Goddesses created by the Sun God, may have been Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was a mortal woman that was made King on earth and then glorified by the people as a God in the afterlife. Her husband, the 4th Pharoah, passed away and she being the highly esteemed wife proclaimed herself Pharaoh. Hatshepsut is one of the first great female monarchs whose name has been recorded. For two decades of her rule it was said to be the most powerful and prosperous empire in the world. This head statue of Hatshepsut resides at the Luxor in Egypt. 

Ancient Near Eastern

Hummurabi and Shamash 

Susa, Iran 

1780 BCE 

The Near Eastern region gave birth to three of the world's greatest modern faiths- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Sumerians and their successors in the ancient Near East worshipped numerous deities, mostly nature Gods. The Mesopotamian God depicted in this Babylonian stele was that of Shamash, the Sun God. Shamash, the Sun God, is depicted with flames radiating from his shoulders. The Sumerian idea that the Gods reside above the world of humans is central to most of the world's religions. This Babylonian stele is unique because it shows a man in the presence of a God.  

Hammurabi was the king of Babylon in the early 18th Century. He was Babylon's most powerful king that reestablished a centralized government and is widely known for his specific law code. The Sumerian rulers were esteemed as the gods' representatives on earth and the stewards of their earthly treasures. 

The Babylonian stele shows the direct relationship between King and God. The Sun God, Shamash, is extending to Hammurabi the symbols of his authority to govern and enact laws. The symbols were a ring and a rod, both derive from builder's tools- measuring rods and coiled rope- the ruler's capacity to build the social order and to measure people's lives, that is, to render judgements and enforce the laws spelled out on the stele. 
The focus on the unique relationship between Deity and Kingship of this time period is fascinating. What I like most about this tablet is the condescension of God down to man- it showing the sacred relationship between the two. I couldn't help but to relate Hummurabi to Moses, both given laws from God to give unto the people.