Question

Look at the procession of female musicians with instruments in Fiero. Answer all parts of this questions:

1.) What story does it have to tell?

2.) Why do you believe the original was placed in the Tomb of Djeserkarasneb?

3.) Who do you believe these female figures represent?

Answer 1

1.) The procession of female musicians with instruments in Fiero tells picture tells the story of a time when women of various ages also took part in specific religious festivals in honour of the goddess Athena, Dionysus and other sacred goddesses.

2.) The picture was originally placed in the Tomb of Djeserkanrasneb because for Egyptians the decoration of tomb walls with reliefs or painted scenes provided some certainty of the perpetuation of life. It was also believed that mural decoration ensured the performance of important ceremonies and this, in turn, reinforced the memory of royal deeds.

3.)   The female figures are mythical followers of Dionysus and are known as maenads. The females were said to roam the forests singing and dancing with ecstasy. In the picture, the movement of the dance is suggested by the swaying motion of her diaphanous draperies.