Turtle was not a sacred animal to the Egyptians, but it occupied an important part of the scenery art in Ancient Egypt. It dwelled the sky by the Early New Kingdom, and acquired a traditional shape represent the animal form itself and forms widespread renovations in the Late and Greco-Roman Periods. This study identifies the specific source for the turtle figures on some distinctive astronomical scenes, shown a complete relation with the depictions of such animal and its consequence in these kinds of scenes; while the best examples of turtle figures have been found on the ceiling of the temples, tombs, inner side of some sarcophagi's lids, galleries, water clock and others. It occupied an important part on the ancient Egyptian astronomical scenes, as a constellation and then one of the 36 decans, and always shown in its natural figurine, without any mythological features (wings, human bodies, other animal bodies, etc.) like many other animals-creatures.

No abstract

OuroborosGreco Roman Period Eternity Tail in the mouth Many of-Faces Great One One of the most well-known ancient images is the Ouroboros, which portrays a serpent or mythical beast swallowing its tail, continually re-birthing itself and shaping a circle, representing eternity and the cyclical nature of things that start once again after they end. It is also the symbol of duality and dualising power. The standard ouroboros is used to refer to the ichnographically steady icon of a ring serpent with its tail at its mouth or inside it, associated with the cyclical time-eternity. It appeared during the New Kingdom and spread throughout the history of Egypt. From Egypt, and as an art motif and religious symbol, it may have spread to the Levant, and then around the world.This article is a comparative study on the ouroboros imagery of the Greco-Roman period. It examines the link between the different kinds of monuments attesting the ouroboros. The study also traces the development of the symbol, and compares monuments of this period with earlier archaeological evidences. The imagery of the ouroboros was inspired by a variety of iconographic representations, on tombs, coffins, magical materials, temples, and on the like.

The Ancient Egyptians believed Turtle was capable of harm and help, it occupy a clear important place within the Ancient Egyptian demonology, as a turtle-demon and a turtle-guardian. During the Middle Kingdom, Turtle-demons were depicted on objects especially wands. While, later during the Late and Greco-Roman periods we begin to note an enlarging of some apotropaic gods whose special mission is to control the aggressive powers of demons. Turtle is comprised of those guardians who keep watch over the deceased on the coffins, or even in the form of statues of turtleheaded guardians. This article is based on a set of wands, some of them found in tombs may have been specially made to protect the deceased, and to be used to defend himself against demons using the large number of the creatures among them are turtles. This procession of demons is held mythological responsible for stranding the Solar-barque in the Nile River.

No abstract