samedi 8 avril 2017

Ancient Egypt Enemies I - Libyans

Hi! Today, I will write the first of several posts dedicated to the enemies of the New Kingdom Egypt.

Ancient Libya was a land located to the west of Ancient Egypt, along the Mediterranean Sea. The name "Libya" was used by the ancient Greeks, after the name of a Berber people called the Libus who established from Tripolitania to the Nile Delta.

Ancient Libyans associated with the Sea People to attack the Egyptian Kingdom in the Nile Delta during the 13th century BC.

It is not so easy to paint ancient Libyans. If their appearance is relatively well known thanks to the Egyptian reliefs, the color of their skin is still a matter of debate between scholars (and between not scholar people too). Searching in books and on the net, I could find these (among others):


This document was drawn after a wall painting found in the tomb of Seti the 1st. The first four figures are Libyans, depicted with fair skin. Note that this is not a primary document (I couldn't find good pictures from the tomb, I would be interested if anyone has some). But I liked the pattern of the fourth Libyan's cloak, so I used it as a model.



This document is a photograph from an Egyptian relief, but we also know that the skin tones vary from one painting to another. Furthermore, the colors may not be accurate but chosen according artistic conventions. Note the paintings (or tattoos) on the arms of the man.

I chose simplicity: I supposed that ancient Libyans looked like today's Libyans, and were probably similar to their Egyptian neighbours. And when you live outside, the sun darkens your skin, so I chose to paint them with a light brown skin.

Here you are the result:



I hope you like them, whatever their skin color is :)

14 commentaires:

  1. Joli article, et superbes figurines (mention spéciale aux capes)...J'adore!

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    1. Merci Phil, tes commentaires sont toujours encourageants :)

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  2. Awesome job on these phil, i love the cloaks. Great stuff.

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    1. Thank you Sprinks. When you lack shields, you paint cloaks :)

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  3. Very nice, and especially timely as I am about to paint some Libyans of my own!

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  4. Your Libyans look terrific! The cloaks are especially well done. Interesting short bio too!

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    1. Thank you Jonathan. I am not so happy with the short text. I had to read a lot on the net and I didn't expect so much animosity: many give their opinion but only a few try to give facts.
      Moreover, when you find a picture, it is difficult to say where it comes from, not speaking of the author or the date. Very frustrating.

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  5. Who knows..Light or dark Skin..they look fine to me and the cloaks are great.

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    1. Thank you Paul, I appreciate the way you take it :)

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