The Dendera Zodiacs

Abstract

The monumental zodiacs in the Dendera temple, dating from the second half of the 1st century BCE and the first half of the 1st century CE, show on the one hand traditional Egyptian celestial images, and on the other the twelve zodiacal constellations that originated from Mesopotamia and spread all over the Hellenistic world. The arrangement and design of the images reflect some astrological concepts, but also relate to the astral story of Osiris and his family, and point to celestial events that marked the rebirth of Osiris, and the conception and birth of his son, Horus.