Relief of Montuhotep III

Originally this massive limestone slab belonged to the wall of a chapel built for Montuhotep III at Armant. On the far left the king is depicted wearing a ceremonial beard and the Red Crown of Lower Egypt; on the far right he is seen in the royal headcloth. Between these two images we see the goddess Iunyt. The shrine’s decoration probably showed the Sed-festival, an ancient ritual of royal renewal traditionally held in the king’s thirtieth regnal year. Montuhotep III ruled for only twelve years, so the images probably indicate the king’s wish for a reign lasting at least three decades.