<em>Isis Nursing the Child Horus</em>, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. Slate, 7 1/2 x 1 5/8 x 4 1/4 in. (19.1 x 4.1 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.938E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.938E_threequarter_SL1.jpg)

Isis Nursing the Child Horus, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. Slate, 7 1/2 x 1 5/8 x 4 1/4 in. (19.1 x 4.1 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.938E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.938E_threequarter_SL1.jpg)

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It describes gods Isis, Osiris, etc. as “first royal family.” Were they historical figures?

Isis, Osiris, and related figures weren't, as far as we know, real historical figures, but figures of myth. That said, their believed relationship to real Egyptian rulers was an important aspect of these gods. All Egyptian kings were thought to become Osiris when they died, for instance. They can best be described as legendary figures: ancient Egyptians believed that they lived on earth at some point in the very distant past.

What is the term that describes the kind of pictorial writing found on these statues?

In general, the writing on the pieces you'll see in the galleries can all be referred to as Egyptian hieroglyphs or simply hieroglyphs, the writing system used in ancient Egypt.

Isis Nursing the Child Horus

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

On View: 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

The Heliopolitan creation myth provided some of the prototypes for Egyptian queenship. Isis, for example, served as the faithful wife and aide of the ruling monarch Osiris and as the mother of the future king Horus.

MEDIUM Slate

Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt

DATES ca. 664–525 B.C.E.

DYNASTY Dynasty 26

PERIOD Late Period

DIMENSIONS 7 1/2 x 1 5/8 x 4 1/4 in. (19.1 x 4.1 x 10.8 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 37.938E

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Inscribed for the son of P-di-ese.

EXHIBITIONS

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view on the 19th Dynasty to Roman Period, Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Gallery, 3rd Floor

CAPTION Isis Nursing the Child Horus, ca. 664–525 B.C.E. Slate, 7 1/2 x 1 5/8 x 4 1/4 in. (19.1 x 4.1 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.938E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.938E_threequarter_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 37.938E_threequarter_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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Download our app and ask your own questions during your visit. Here are some that others have asked.

It describes gods Isis, Osiris, etc. as “first royal family.” Were they historical figures?

What is the term that describes the kind of pictorial writing found on these statues?

In general, the writing on the pieces you'll see in the galleries can all be referred to as Egyptian hieroglyphs or simply hieroglyphs, the writing system used in ancient Egypt.