King Menkaura, the Goddess Hathor, and the Deified Hare Nome
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, Reign of Menkaura (2490–2472 B.C.)

This relief shows King Menkaura alongside the protective goddess Hathor   and the deified Hare Nome, symbolizing regional patronage and divine support.

King Menkaura, the Goddess Hathor, and the Deified Hare Nome is a remarkable triad sculpture from the Old Kingdom, dating to the reign of Pharaoh Menkaura (c. 2490–2472 BCE). Carved from greywacke with exceptional refinement, the group depicts the king standing confidently between the goddess Hathor—protector of kingship and embodiment of divine femininity—and the personified deity of the Hare Nome, representing one of Egypt’s regional provinces.

Hathor gently places her hand on the king in a gesture of support and legitimization, while the hare-headed figure signifies the unity of the land under Menkaura’s rule. Together, the trio expresses themes of divine harmony, royal authority, and the close relationship between the pharaoh and Egypt’s powerful regional cults.