---
title: Screen Slab of King Psamtek I
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5362/screen-slab-of-king-psamtek-i/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Screen Slab of King Psamtek I

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

## Image File

[![Screen Slab of King Psamtek I](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5362.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5362.jpg)

## Image Caption

On this side, Psamtek (Psamtik) I kneels making offerings to fearsome-looking deities, including a double-headed bull [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) and a snake. The majority hold long knives, as they were meant to guard a sacred space located behind this [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/). Most [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) depictions of people are highly idealized, but here the king's unflattering features suggest a rare attempt at true portraiture. This deviation from the norm is repeated on a similar screen slab made three centuries later. This slab was part of a structure in the [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of Atum at Heliopolis. The bottom design is a "[palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) facade". The frieze cobras at the top represent Wadjyt, heraldic goddess of Lower [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/). That side also shows Psamtek offering, but there his figure, now effaced, was more prostrate. 26th Dynasty, reign of Psamtek I, 664-610 BCE. Found in [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/); originally from Heliopolis, temple of Atum, Egypt. (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 24). Screen Slab of King Psamtek I. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5362/screen-slab-of-king-psamtek-i/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Screen Slab of King Psamtek I." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 24, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5362/screen-slab-of-king-psamtek-i/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Screen Slab of King Psamtek I." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Jul 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5362/screen-slab-of-king-psamtek-i/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 24 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.