description Younger Memnon Overview
This granite head represents the pharaoh Ramesses II, specifically his younger son Memnon. It’s a significant relic from Egypt's New Kingdom period and one of several colossal statues commissioned to honor the ruler. The sculpture, originally part of a larger statue at the Ramesseum temple in Thebes, is now housed within the British Museum. It provides insight into Egyptian royal iconography and funerary practices for those interested in ancient history and archaeology.
help Younger Memnon FAQ
Where is the Younger Memnon currently housed?
The colossal granite head and upper torso are currently on display in the British Museum in London. The museum officially acquired the priceless historical artifact in 1818 from the British Consul General in Egypt.
Which Egyptian pharaoh does the Younger Memnon portray?
The massive statue is a likeness of Ramesses II, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful pharaohs. It was originally carved to stand guard at his mortuary temple, known as the Ramesseum, located in Thebes.
How did the Younger Memnon get to the British Museum?
It was acquired by the Italian explorer and antiquities collector Giovanni Belzoni in 1816. Belzoni managed the incredibly difficult task of moving the massive, multi-ton granite bust from the temple ruins to the Nile River for transport to England.
What famous literary work references the Younger Memnon?
The statue famously inspired the English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley to write his renowned poem 'Ozymandias.' Shelley wrote the poem after seeing the bust and reading its boastful inscription about the pharaoh's eternal power.
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