Scenes of Offering Palm Dates in Egyptian Temples during the Græco-Roman Period

     Offering palm dates is a remarkable offering scene in the Egyptian temples during the Græco-Roman period. Eleven scenes are found depicting the Ptolemaic king or the Roman emperor presenting palm dates to the deities. After the reign of Trajan, these scenes were no more attested. Palm dates were sacred offerings of Osiris during Khoaik festival. Therefore, the image of Osiris dominated the majority of the scenes. Offering palm dates to Isis was based on her role in reuniting Osiris' body. Apis and Horus were depicted in the oldest scene of dates offering in front of Ptolemy IV in Edfu temple. Harendotus was represented receiving this offering in two scenes in Philae temple. Thoth of Pnubis was depicted in a solemn scene receiving palm dates in Philae temple. Ptah is represented receiving palm dates in the temple of Tod. Shu and Tefnut are depicted receiving palm dates from Augustus in El-Qal'a temple.