Egyptians enjoyed playing board games, especially senet, or "passing." During the 18th dynasty, the game acquired religious significance, which transformed it into a simulation of the soul's journey through the underworld to achieve immortality. Throw sticks, much like dice, determined a player's moves, and winning required both skill and luck. This senet game board of 30 squares required 14 game pieces, like these spool- and cone-shaped pieces.
Dynasty: 19th-20th Dynasty
[Translation] First of the Priests of Amun, One who is in the place of the Temple of Amun-Ré (an acolyte of Amun-Ré), King of the gods, Nesi-amun-ipet, the Justified of Voice, the gift of Amun himself.
"Turban" helmets are so-called from similarities to the traditional headdress of Turkish men. Chain mail, protecting the neck and face, was attached to holes on the lower edges. Surfaces could be decorated by vertical fluting and etched patterns of scrolls and floral motifs.
This single leaf of a battle scene, Walters manuscript leaf W.683, comes from an illustrated Baburnamah (Memoirs of Babur) executed in Mughal India during the late 10th century AH/AD 16th. The text, written in black Nasta'liq script, comes from a description of the events of the year 901 AH/AD 1495-1496. It describes how Sayyidim, Quli Baba, and several warriors were unhorsed in battle and how news of their fate reached Sultan Husayn Mirza (died 911 AH/AD 1506). The polychrome borders surrounding this page date to the 13th century AH/AD 19th.
On this folio from Walters manuscript W.626, a bear, not being able to shoo the flies attacking his friend while asleep, brings a millstone to crush them, not realizing that he will crush his friend's head, too.
