Ancient Egyptian culture was extremely hierarchical and militant. Explain how these qualities are expressed in their art. Select and include an image of a piece of art to support your response.
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Ancient Egyptian culture was indeed hierarchical and militant, and these qualities are clearly expressed in their art. One example of such an expression can be seen in the ancient Egyptian relief known as the "Palette of Narmer."
The Palette of Narmer is a ceremonial palette made of siltstone and dates back to around 3100-3000 BCE. It was discovered in the Temple of Horus at Hierakonpolis in Upper Egypt and is believed to depict the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh, Narmer.
The palette itself is an intricate piece of art, measuring about 63 centimeters in height. On one side of the palette, a muscular and dominant figure, believed to be Narmer, stands tall above his defeated enemies, holding a mace in one hand and a flail in another. He is portrayed with an erect posture and is wearing the upper crown of Egypt, symbolizing his authority and power. This depiction clearly reflects the hierarchical and militant nature of ancient Egyptian society, with Narmer positioned above his defeated opponents, emphasizing his dominance as a warrior king.
Furthermore, the palette depicts scenes of war and conquest, with rows of dead enemies at the bottom. The figures are shown in an organized and disciplined manner, with strict attention to detail and proportion, reflecting the militaristic culture of ancient Egypt.
Overall, the Palette of Narmer showcases the hierarchical and militant aspects of ancient Egyptian culture through its depiction of a powerful central figure and scenes of conquest. This piece of art serves as evidence of the societal structure and military prowess that characterized ancient Egypt.
![Palette of Narmer](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/NarmerPalette-CloseUpOfBothSides-B%C3%A9n%C3%A9dictine_27-07-2008.jpg/800px-NarmerPalette-CloseUpOfBothSides-B%C3%A9n%C3%A9dictine_27-07-2008.jpg)