King Merenptah Receiving Symbols of Power from Ra-Harakhty

Detail from the first part of the Prologue of the Litany of Ra in the “House of Eternity” of King Merenptah (ca. 1213–1203 BCE, 19th Dynasty), Valley of the Kings, KV 8, west Uaset-Thebes.


The scene shows King Merenptah venerating Ra-Harakhty, who bestows upon him the Djed pillar and the Ankh while holding the Uas scepter.

Ra-Harakhty is depicted with a falcon head, wearing the solar disk encircled by the Uraeus, and carrying the Ankh and Uas scepter.

The king wears a headdress with the Uraeus on his forehead and the Atef crown, flanked by two ostrich feathers, adorned with ram’s horns, the solar disk, and two Uraei.