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Symposium Illuminates Egypt’s Sun King


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On November 6 the Society for the Studies of Egyptian Antiquities’ 36th Annual Symposium explores Amenhotep III

Toronto, Ontario – Before Tutankhamen, Egypt’s 18th dynasty was ruled by another “golden” king—Amenhotep III—a pharaoh so extravagantly wealthy that his allies asked for statues of solid gold, for “gold is like dust in Egypt”. On Saturday, November 6, 2010 , the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA) in association with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) presents an international panel of scholars and archaeologists uncovering the mysteries of Egypt’s Sun King. Presentations take place from 9 am to 5 pm at the University of Toronto’s Earth Sciences Centre, located at 5 Bancroft Place, Room 1050. Please see below for registration information and ticket prices.

The symposium features scholars and researchers studying every aspect of Amenhotep’s life. Amenhotep’s wealth, harvested from the largest empire in the Bronze Age, supported a grandiose construction program. His projects included an extravagant palace on the banks of the Nile that rivaled the baroque castles of Europe for interior design and boasted painted and inlaid walls and an artificial lake nearby. Dr. Catharine Roehrig of The Metropolitan Museum of Art,one of the archaeologists recording and preserving this lost Versailles, will present an overview of the palace and of their work.

Ruling an empire that stretched from modern-day Sudan to Syria, and dealing with the envy of other states was no easy feat. Archaeologist and historian Prof. Eric Cline of George Washington University will reveal ancient political maneuverings as he outlines Egypt’s foreign relations in the 14th century BC.

International diplomacy and intimate relationships converged in the family of Amenhotep III, especially in the person of his chief wife, Queen Tiye and the foreign princesses he married. ROM Educator Gayle Gibson will offer a brief reconstruction of the royal family tree. Then, Dr. Lyn Green, SSEA president , will look at the power of the queens, its religious basis and its political implications.

The art of Amenhotep III is considered some of the most beautiful and technically accomplished ever produced in the ancient world. Prof. Betsy Bryan of Johns Hopkins University will examine the artistic achievements of the reign.

This same weekend also features two days of Scholars’ Colloquium with a series of free presentations on current research and excavations in Egypt. The Scholars’ Colloquium takes place on Friday, November 5 from 9 to 5 pm at the ROM and on Sunday, November 7 at the University of Toronto’s Earth Sciences Centre, located at 5 Bancroft Place, Room 1050. No registration for the Colloquium is necessary. If admission to the Museum is also desired, ROM admission rates will apply.

Colloquium admission is $95 for the public ($90 online), $85 for ROM Members ($80 online) and $45 for Students with valid ID ($40 online). For more information on the lectures, the free Scholars’ Colloquium days or to register online, call 416-586-5797 or visit the ROM’s website, keyword: Egypt or program ID 6303. SSEA secretaries will be present throughout the weekend’s events.



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