Abstract
In the cosmological representations of the ancient Egyptians, the Osirian image par excellence appears in the final tableau of the Book of Gates. It depicts the god Osiris encircling the otherworldly Douat. There are, however, other images of the god within this important corpus, notably certain figures that are not identified textually, but which undeniably possess an Osirian aspect. These figures, found on coffins and papyri from the Third Intermediate Period, and later in tombs and temples, form part of a picture of the cosmos, with the goddess Nut whose arched body forms the celestial vault. More specifically, they relate to the god Geb, who is thus represented in an unusual way. This lecture will analyze this particular iconography, consider its meaning and, finally, question the methodology to be adopted when dealing with Egyptian images in the absence of an explicit text.
Knowledge of ancient Egyptian essential.
