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In the bronze Altar of the Hand from Benin, which of the following is not meant to venerate the king and glorify his divine office?

A. The king is the central figure in both the relief and free-standing figure groups.
B. The king holds the staffs of his office in his hands.
C. The king is surrounded by symmetrical, symbolic forms.
D. This king's head is larger than those of his attendants.
E. The king's head is at the apex of the altar.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

In the bronze Altar of the Hand from Benin, option B ('the king holds the staffs of his office') is not an element meant to venerate the king and glorify his divine office, as this detail is not described in the context provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bronze Altar of the Hand from Benin includes various elements designed to venerate the king and glorify his divine office. However, option B, where "the king holds the staffs of his office in his hands," is not depicted in the context of the Altar of the Hand. According to the referenced text, the figures such as the king from Benin and the pharaoh from Egypt are adorned with regalia significant to their royal status and the imagery is infused with symbols that underscore their authority and divine nature.

The statuettes portray the king with spiritual devotion, good health, and divinity, sitting on a stool, with sandals indicating that he should not contact the earth directly. Thus, the king's head being larger than those of his attendants (option D) and being at the apex of the altar (option E) serve the purpose of venerating the king. Symmetrical, symbolic forms (option C) also emphasize the king's ceremonial and spiritual significance.

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