The Mummy of Herakleides is a Romano-Egyptian red-shroud portrait mummy dating to the 2nd century AD. It is a rare example of a mummy portrait found complete with its painted panels. It is currently on display at the Getty Villa.
Herakleides A study of his bones and teeth determined that Herakleides was about 18-20 years old at the time of his death, which was around 120-140 AD. The quality of his portrait and materials used indicate that he was of high social status.
Details The shroud of the mummy was painted red and then with a number of motifs, including an ibis at the abdomen. A CAT scan revealed that underneath the painted ibis, a mummified ibis was placed, which is unusual in Egyptian human mummification. This may indicate Herakleides had a connection to the god Thoth, and was a priest or scribe.
Herakleides' name is inscribed in Greek above his feet. Translated, it reads "Herakleides, son of Thermos."
References
External links
Investigating Herakleides: A Portrait Mummy from Roman Egypt. Google Arts and Culture. Getting to Know Herakleides: Exploring a Red-Shroud Mummy from Roman Egypt (lecture). Getty Museum, YouTube. The Mummification Process. Getty Museum, YouTube.
Further reading
Svoboda, Marie; Walton, Marc (Jan 2020). Material investigations of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s red-shroud mummy.