Through the Eras

MusicThe thin lyre gains popularity.The title shemayet, or “musician,” is usedfor women who chant the ritual for thegods, though the meaning of the changein title from heset in the Old Kingdom isnot clear.Tomb inscriptions indicate that musiciansare more likely to be professionalsthan they were in the earlier periods.1539–1292 The standard ensemble for banquet musicdevelops. It includes a harp, a lute, adouble oboe, and a lyre.1479–1425 Examples of work songs are carved in thetomb of the nobleman Paheri.The clothing style for female musiciansswitches from the traditional sheath dressto a wide variety of gowns, beaded girdles,and hair decorations.1352–1332 Temple depictions of male musiciansshow them playing the lute and lyre, instrumentsplayed only by women in otherperiods. These scenes reflect a generaltrend toward the breaking down of barriersbetween the sexes in general duringthe reign of Akhenaten.The giant lyre, imported from Mesopotamia,becomes popular.Royal princesses play the sistrum—a sacredrattle—for the god Aten, demonstratingthe increased status of the king’sdaughters in this reign.1332–1322 Trumpets are first used as military instrumentsfor communication on the battlefield.Ivory clappers inscribed with the namesof Queen Tiye and Princess Merytaten areincluded in the king’s tomb, demonstratingthe role of royal women in musicallife.1292–1075 Drawings depict solo harpists as fat andbald, indicating that they were wealthyand pure.The Turin Erotic Papyrus shows musicalinstruments in scenes of sexual intercourse,suggesting the importance of theart form to Egyptian notions of eroticism.332 The only evidence of musical notation inAncient Egyptian culture comes from astatue created after this date of a harpistand a scribe recording the harpist’s song.Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 153