The Amun-Re Temple

I awake to the sound of my husband, Ahmose, getting out of bed. Our children, Imhotep and Hatshepsut are still sleeping in the other room. “Are you ready?” Ahmose asks. I think about the tasks ahead of me, as today marks the beginning of my one-month cycle worshiping and providing for the god Amun in his temple. “Of course.” This is what I was trained to do as a priestess, and after three months of caring for my family and selling our pottery, I am ready to serve Amun once again.
I get up and prepare for entering the temple. I fill a stone cistern with water and step into it. As it cleanses all impurities from my spirit and gives me the energy I need to perform my duties, I begin to shave my hair. Removing the natural hair on my body gets

I will spend all of my time in the innermost parts of the temple, so I make sure to dress in only linen, as any other material would be disrespectful. The last thing I do before leaving for the temple is put on my shoes, made out of papyrus for the same reason.
I walk to the Amun- Re temple and enter the walk-way to break the seal. Now the singers and other helpers may enter. I enter the sacred room and light the torch, which provides the only light. The flame flickers across the golden statue of Amun as I awaken him. “Awake in peace, great god Amun-Re.” The sun is just starting to rise and I , along with the other workers, begin to cleanse the god.
First we remove the statues old clothing. Then we cleanse him and rub oils into his skin in order to purify the temple. I light incense while other workers dress the statue in colorful clothing and precious jewels. After the temple is cleansed for the day and the god is dressed, I allow the workers to bring out Amun’s

The smells of fresh bread and roasted meat fills the room. They place it in front of the statue and as a glass of wine is presented as well. When the god has eaten his fill I tell the workers to retrieve the plates and dismiss them for the morning.
I then go to pick up a metal basin that has already been filled with water. I walk around the room sprinkling the water on the floor and in every corner. After the surrounding walls and floor has been cleansed, I walk over to the statue. I repeat the process of dipping my hand into the water and sprinkling it, but this time over the gods skin.
I call for the singers to enter and they all come in; dressed in the same linen as the other workers. They begin their hymns for Amun, as they do everyday and I go to light more incense. While they provide their offering to Amun, I walk through the room and cleanse it further with the incense. I complete the process by running the incense through the air near the statue. The singers finish and leave room.
I prepare for lunch time, when this entire process will be done again. I call in the workers again, perform my duties, then call the singers. This happens once more in the evening before I cleanse the temple for the