---
title: Head of King Nectanebo I or II
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5356/head-of-king-nectanebo-i-or-ii/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Head of King Nectanebo I or II

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Head of King Nectanebo I or II](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5356.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5356.jpg)

## Image Caption

This head was part of a statue which was placed in a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/). No inscription survives to identify the king, but stylistic details point to Nectanebo I or II, the principal kings of [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/)'s last native Dynasty. The king's nose and protective cobra on his forehead was destroyed to curse him. Perhaps this vengeful act occurred when Egypt, after 60 years of independence, was reconquered by Persians (31st Dynasty). A new nose and cobra were later fitted in prepared slots. This may have happened soon after [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) had conquered the [Persian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/), under the early Ptolemies. To bolster their title to Egypt's throne, they restored, renewed, and imitated the monuments of the their predecessors. Originally the wings of the head-cloth displayed the usual horizontal pleats, but these were rubbed down, presumably when the statue was repaired. Many of the Ptolemies' own statues have stripeless head-clothes. 30th Dynasty, 380-343 BCE. Collected by Charles Townley, probably in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/); origin in Egypt unknown. (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.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, July 18). Head of King Nectanebo I or II. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5356/head-of-king-nectanebo-i-or-ii/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Head of King Nectanebo I or II." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 18, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5356/head-of-king-nectanebo-i-or-ii/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Head of King Nectanebo I or II." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Jul 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5356/head-of-king-nectanebo-i-or-ii/>.

## 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.