in which the earliest depiction of a khopesh is found. The khopesh can be seen in the hands of the figures at the top and bottom left portion of the fragment. The
khopesh did not originate in Egypt and was a foreign technology that was introduced to Egypt during the
Second Intermediate Period when the
Hyksos ruled
Lower Egypt. The Hyksos most likely originated from the
Levant and brought new technological advances to Egypt. The
Hyksos brought new techniques in pottery, bronze working, and weaving, they also brought new weapons like
composite bows,
chariots, and curved swords that were the precursors to the
khopesh The
khopesh fell out of use around 1300 BC. Outside of active warfare, the
khopesh is often featured alongside depictions of Kings as a symbol of power and conquest. Although some examples have clearly sharpened edges, many examples have dull edges that apparently were never intended to be sharp. It may therefore be possible that some
khopeshes found in high-status graves were ceremonial variants. Various pharaohs are depicted with a
khopesh, and some have been found in royal graves, such as the two examples found with
Tutankhamun.
Examples in art Depictions of the
khopesh are also common in carvings from the New Kingdom Period. Carvings typically show the
khopesh being wielded by a King in battle or while in a ceremonial setting. This use of the
khopesh is used to associate kings with concepts of power and conquest. • In an
ostracon from the New Kingdom, a depiction of
Ramesses IV is shown wielding a
khopesh used to smite his enemies. The
ostracon came from the reign of
Ramesses IV putting its creation around 1153–1147 B.C. It is currently in possession of the MFA Boston. • A plaster relief on the exterior of the
Hypostyle Hall at
Karnack shows a depiction of
Seti I from the
19th dynasty in a battle scene with a war chariot and a raised
khopesh. In the scene,
Seti I is trampling a group of enemies who are depicted as
Libyans. The
Merneptah Stele from the New Kingdom depicts
Merneptah, the fourth king of the 19th dynasty being given a
khopesh from the God
Amun after his victory over the Libyans in the north. File:Mural_of_Seti_I._Assest_Number_1613786221.jpg|Mural of Seti I holding a khopesh while riding in a war chariot and trampling Libyans found at Karnak. File:Merneptah_Stele_2022_09.jpg|alt=Merneptah stele showing a carving of merneptah being given a khopesh by Amun|
Merneptah Stele, depicting Merneptah's victory over the Libyans in 1208 BCE.
Merneptah is being given a
khopesh by
Amun.
Examples in archeology Archeological examples of the
khopesh have been found in tombs with both dull and sharpened edges. This points to the
khopesh being used as a ceremonial object as well as a weapon. Archeological examples of the
khopesh are most prevalent in the New Kingdom period after their introduction during the second intermediate period. • A bronze
khopesh found in the region of
Palestine was found with an engraving of Ramses II.
Louvre. E 25689. • Two examples of a
khopesh were found in the tomb of King
Tutankhamun. These swords were ornately carved and with a dull edge, indicating these swords were largely ceremonial in purpose. JE 61588 ==See also==