Hypocephalus

A disk of painted linen or of bronze, found under the heads of Graeco-Roman mummies. It is really a form of amulet, and is inscribed with magical formulae and figures of gods—the Has or cow being invariably among them—and is designed to obtain warmth for the body. An inscription runs round the border of the disk, the other representations being drawn acro the field. A scene frequently depicted is one consisting of cynocephalus apes adoring the sun disk in his bark. Part of the border inscription runs as follows: "Chief of the gods, come thou to the Osiris Hor [name of the owner of the hypocephalus] maat kheru. Grant that there be warmth under his head, for he was one of thy followers." (Weidemann.) Another prayer runs thus: "May the god, who himself is hidden, and whose face is concealed, who shineth upon the world in his forms of existence, and in the underworld, grant that my soul may live for ever. May the great god in his disk give his rays in the underworld of Helio polis. Grant thou unto me an entrance and an exit in the underworld without let or hindrance." (Budge.)