---
title: General Horemheb & Wife
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5325/general-horemheb--wife/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-09-16
---
# General Horemheb & Wife
_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5325.jpg)
## Image Caption
Unfinished limestone [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) of [Horemheb](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horemheb/) and his wife from the [tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/) of Horemheb at Saqqara, [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/), 18th Dynasty, probably the reign of Ay, c. 1327-1323 BCE.
The sculpture bears no inscription, and when it was acquired by the British Museum in 1839, its provenance was unknown. The couple's identity remained a mystery until 1976 when a missing fragment of their entwined hands was discovered at Saqqara (ancient [Memphis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Memphis_(Ancient_Egypt)/)) in the tomb complex of General Horemheb. The statue thus represents the commander-in-chief and presumably his first wife, Amenia. The fragment remains in Egypt, but the exhibit incorporates a cast. The pleated garments, elaborate wigs, and the Horemheb's sandals all signal high status and contemporary fashion. Horemheb commanded Egypt's armed forces under [Tutankhamun](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tutankhamun/) and acted as the boy king's regent. Tutankhamun died young without a heir. The throne passed briefly to Ay, a much older relative, and then to Horemheb, despite his non-royal descent. He was never buried in his tomb at Saqqara, where the statue had been intended as a focus for his mortuary cult. Following tradition, Horemheb now began preparing a royal tomb at [Thebes](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Thebes/), in the Valley of the Kings.
The British Museum, London.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## About the Author
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
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## Cite This Work
### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, July 18). General Horemheb & Wife. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "General Horemheb & Wife." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 18, 2016. .
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "General Horemheb & Wife." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Jul 2016, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 18 July 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.