Message #42498

[Bianca]

Now, as the king changed his religion and his name, so he also caused his own form and figure when represented in bas-reliefs to be changed.
                                           

In the earlier monuments of his reign he is depicted as possessing the typical features of his father and of others of his ancestors, but at Tell el-Amarna his physical charateristics are entirely different. Here he is potrayed with a very high, narrow, and receding forehead, a large, sharp, aquiline nose, a thin, weak mouth, an a large projecting chin, and his head is set upon a long and extremely slender neck ; his chest is rounded, his stomach inflated, his thighs are large and broad, and in many respects his figure resembles that of a woman.

                                           

It is impossible that such representations of the king would be permitted to appear in bas-reliefs in his city unless he approved of them, and it is clear that he did approve,and that his officials understood that he approved of this treatment of his person at the hands of sculptors and artists, for some of the high officals were themselves represented in the same manner.

Still, some of the drawings of the king must be regarded as caricatures, but whether intentional or otherwise cannot be said.