Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
closed access
This thesis begins with an overview of the relationship between the Apis bull and different Egyptian dynasties over time, before using this analysis as the foundation for the analysis of the...Show moreThis thesis begins with an overview of the relationship between the Apis bull and different Egyptian dynasties over time, before using this analysis as the foundation for the analysis of the relationship between the Apis bull and the Ptolemaic dynasty, looking at how the Ptolemies treated the cult and invested in it, as well as what they received in return, suggesting some potential reasons and motivations for the things seen.Show less
This thesis aims to show how authoritarian regimes opt for using small-scale violence against minority out-groups to counteract any regime instability. Essentially it argues that authoritarian...Show moreThis thesis aims to show how authoritarian regimes opt for using small-scale violence against minority out-groups to counteract any regime instability. Essentially it argues that authoritarian leaders change out-group treatment according to the needs of their stability. It is a within-case study, focused on the Coptic christian minority in Egypt. It traces the treatment of Copts under Sadat and under Mubarak. The thesis found that the biggest need or factor in determining out-group treatment is domestic legitimacy. By bringing various theories on authoritarian regimes and minority treatment together, this thesis proposes the stoking fire theory. By allowing violence to be perpetrated against minority groups, regimes stoke a small fire and keep it burning for a regime's own survival. It is the first step in arguing that low-level violence, perpetrated by state and citizen, is used for strategic purposes, as others have argued for mass violence. The insights in the nexus between the three factors (domestic legitimacy, an out-groups refusal to be co-opted and external support) for out-group treatment can help foreign policy makers in determining finding the best timing to pressure regimes for democratization, if that is truly their pursuit, and when to support an out-group without becoming the topic of rumored ‘evil’ relations between out-group and democratic supporter. More importantly, by understanding how their position is used by autocrats, out-groups may better understand their predicament at a given time. Understanding their behavior and the changing needs of an authoritarian regime, they may be better able to see increased violence coming, giving them the chance to defend themselves against it.Show less
Since 2011, Ethiopia has been building a dam on the Blue Nile river. The project, called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam or GERD, has been of significant importance for the whole basin. Egypt...Show moreSince 2011, Ethiopia has been building a dam on the Blue Nile river. The project, called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam or GERD, has been of significant importance for the whole basin. Egypt and Sudan, the downstream states, have been interested in the project for several reasons. Both Egypt and Sudan rely heavily on the Blue Nile for agriculture and supply of fresh water. Egypt in particular is concerned that their access to water will be limited through the construction of the dam. Egypt receives 97 percent of their fresh water supply via the Nile. Due to colonial era agreements on the use of the water supplied by the Blue Nile, Egypt had a hegemonic status over all the states along the stream of the river or the ‘riparian’ states for quite some time. However, in 2011, a perfect storm of events, with the Arab Spring and the subsequent fall of president Mubarak, and the independence of Southern Sudan, coincided with the commencement by the Ethiopian government to build the GERD.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
closed access
This thesis examines the significance of the concept and representation of angels from the 5th until the 15th century in Egypt and the adjacent Nubian Kingdoms (Makuria, Nobadia and Alwa). This is...Show moreThis thesis examines the significance of the concept and representation of angels from the 5th until the 15th century in Egypt and the adjacent Nubian Kingdoms (Makuria, Nobadia and Alwa). This is done by examining the political and religious history of both areas, and looking at religious continuity and change. It operates from the idea that religion is not a static concept that exists in boxed-in entities, but a process in flux, in which past and present practises are always interacting. Within this interaction, in this case between traditional Egyptian and Nubian religion and Christianity (and Islam), we see that angels fulfil an important role. This role of angels is examined through looking at textual evidence (mainly magical texts), a small amount of archaeological finds, six case studies in which angelic imagery in (excavated) religious buildings is looked at. This concerns the sites Bawit, Saqqara and St. Antony in Egypt, and Dongola, Faras and Banganarti in the Nubian Kingdoms. At these sites, many depictions of angels can be found, each of which are rich in iconographic and stylistic data. Comparing the iconography of the various sites gives us insights in the similarities and differences between Egyptian and Nubian iconography and styles, which is in part informed by their respective political histories. One such difference is the difference in focus and size between the two areas: angels in Nubian buildings are much larger and more the centre of the scene than they are in Egypt, and seem to play a role in the legitimisation of Nubian Kingship. When compared with the available textual evidence, it becomes clear they are of great significance to the Nubian and Egyptian peoples, and display a number of similarities with earlier gods, symbols and practises. Iconographically too, there are similarities to be found between angels and ancient Egyptian gods, as well as traditional Roman art. In this way, the angels seem to be an important part of the ever changing religious landscape, and take up an important place in the lives of the Egyptian and Nubian people in the time period under consideration. They seem to have been part of a cult, which is evidenced both in personal piety through spells and texts, and more organised religion through for example the dedication to the archangel Raphael of the churches at Banganarti. Angels play an important role in both organised religion and more personal piety, and seem part of the transition between ‘pagan’ religions and Christianity.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
open access
Deze scriptie behandelt de constructie van gender en de manier waarop deze constructie verandert in Egypte door de Arabische Lente. Er is in Egypte veel ongelijkheid tussen mannen en vrouwen. Door...Show moreDeze scriptie behandelt de constructie van gender en de manier waarop deze constructie verandert in Egypte door de Arabische Lente. Er is in Egypte veel ongelijkheid tussen mannen en vrouwen. Door de Arabische Lente is de positie van de vrouw aangekaard. Ook vrouwen deden mee aan de protesten. Zij zetten zich niet alleen tegen de staat af maar ook tegen hun eigen huishouden. Zo willen zij gender in de dagelijkse praktijk, maar ook op staatsniveau veranderen. Op dagelijks niveau is de constructie van gender aangekaard en deels veranderd, maar op staatsniveau is dit nog niet behaald en het is maar de vraag of dit snel gaat lukken.Show less
