What is the scene on a narmer palette?

Answer 1

The Narmer Palete dates from the Protodynastic Period, around 4,930 to 5,000 years ago. At that time, hieroglyphs were only just starting to be written and their forms and meaning are often difficult to interpret - many of the early glyphs were quickly changed or dropped from the written language.

In one scene, Narmer is seen in a ritual pose wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt, armed with a battle-mace and about to strike a kneeling prisoner, probably from Lower Egypt. The king's protective god, Horus as a hawk, holds a rope connected to the head of a man whose body is the papyrus reed hieroglyph for Lower Egypt, while below are wounded or dead enemies. Behind the king stands the small figure of the royal sandal-bearer.

Another scene shows the king, now wearing the red crown of Lower Egypt, still armed with a mace and followed by his sandal-bearer, watching a procession of men carrying the standards of various Egyptian nomes (regions) to the Temple of Horus where he will inspect rows of decapitated enemy bodies.

The king also appears in the form of a powerful bull, destroying an enemy city with his horns.

The entire record is about military conquest, victory in battle and triumph over enemies. This episode is thought to mark a string of such victories over many campaign seasons, finally ending with the unification of all the various nomes (regions) of Egypt under its first pharaoh.

Answer 2

It has many of the symbols that have become iconic - the mighty king slaying his opponents, who are much smaller than him. Captives are subservient to him, there are iconic images relating to the Egyptian Royal house etc etc. Essentially, it denotes supreme power and has much of the relevant symbolism.