---
title: Relief from the Interior of the Funerary Chapel of a Meroe Queen
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5716/relief-from-the-interior-of-the-funerary-chapel-of/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Relief from the Interior of the Funerary Chapel of a Meroe Queen
_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5716.jpg)
## Image Caption
From early 3rh century BCE until the 4th century CE the majority of Meroitic rulers were buried beneath [pyramids](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/) close to the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of [Meroe](https://www.worldhistory.org/Meroe/). On several occasions the kingdom was ruled by queen whose title was Kandake. A distorted reference to this practice appears in Classical accounts, which report that the "Ethiopians" were always ruled by [women](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/women/) called Candace. The ruler buried beneath [Pyramid](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/) N.11 was probably Queen Shanakdakhete (2nd century BCE), the 1st of the ruling queens of Meroe. The reliefs exhibited here come from the south [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) of the Queen's funerary chapel and reflect the strong influence of pharaonic [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) on Meroitic monumental [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/). The chapel itself was built against the eastern face of the pyramid. On the right, the queen sits enthroned, wearing an elaborate, decorative robe. Behind her, is another royal personage, perhaps a prince. Bound prisoners are depicted beneath the Queen's throne, and the royal pair are protected by the wings of the goddess [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/). On the left, rows of attendants bearing palm branches are represented, together with scenes in which religious ceremonies are enacted and offerings made to various deities. Among these depictions, the Queen's heart is shown being weighed in a balance, an episode derived from [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) beliefs about the afterlife. From pyramid N.11 at Meroe (Meroë), modern-day Sudan. 2nd century BCE. (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, September 29). Relief from the Interior of the Funerary Chapel of a Meroe Queen. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Relief from the Interior of the Funerary Chapel of a Meroe Queen." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 29, 2016. .
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Relief from the Interior of the Funerary Chapel of a Meroe Queen." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Sep 2016, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 29 September 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.