Reassessing the Orans Pose in Roman Egyptian Funerary Art: Two Unpublished Stelae from Mendes

Abstract

This study presents, for the first time, two funerary stelae from ancient Mendes (Dakahlia) while aiming to date and interpret them. It also compares these stelae with similar examples from Kom Abu Bellou and Roman-era sarcophagi, tracing their origins and examining the continuity of their design into the Coptic and Christian artistic contexts. The research explores the intended meaning of the raisedhand gesture of the deceased on these stelae, emphasizing the orans posture and relating it to the prevailing religious beliefs of the time. The analysis indicates that the owners of the two stelae were not necessarily Egyptian; however, they were clearly influenced by ancient Egyptian religious concepts, including the depiction of funerary deities such as Anubis. Furthermore, the study shows that the orans posture served as a visual tool, expressing the moral identity of the deceased and their successful passage through divine judgment, in line with Greco-Roman notions of pietas. This approach reflects a hybrid strategy, preserving Egyptian funerary ideology while visually adapting it to be comprehensible within a multicultural environment. In conclusion, the artistic culture in Mendes during the Roman period maintained the continuity of Egyptian funerary practices through the conscious adaptation of traditional symbols and techniques. This reflects a productive interaction between local heritage and classical influences in shaping the posthumous identity of the deceased.