Education History
Ph.D., University of Chicago; M.A., University of Chicago; A.B., Princeton University
Scholarly Interests and Activities
Jonathan Winnerman’s current research investigates ancient Egyptian sacred kingship and power through the lens of enigmatic (also called cryptographic) hieroglyphic texts. These inscriptions, which may also be paired with standard hieroglyphic ones, often framed the perimeter of temples and seem to mimic the hidden and visible aspects of Amun-Re, king of the gods. By understanding how different rulers attempt to mimic this divine figure, his research seeks to understand how potentiality and actualization combined to create and maintain sacred authoritarian power. Jonathan is also increasingly interested in the role that ambiguity and multiple understandings played in shaping this power, and how discrepancies between real and imagined royal abilities may not be a source of weakness but an important feature of many political systems.