Text: A rattle used by the ancient Eqyptians, the Greeks and Romans. It is not improbable sistrums were known also to the Hebrews, if the word menaaneim is correctly traced to a root signifying to "rattle." Its common form was that of a handle surmounted by a loop of metal having cross-bars on which rings were sometimes placed. The sistrum was an ancient musical instrument, kind of like a rattle in shape combined with the idea of a modern tambourine. It had two basic designs, the naos and the hoop. Most late period were of the hoop design. Most commonly it featured a representation of Het-Hert (Hathor) on the handle. It was used in sacred rituals, most particularly for Het-Hert but later associated with Imen (Amun) and Aset (Isis). It was most particularly used by the women musicians and chantresses who served in the temple, and the sound was believed to ward off the powers of chaos. The sistrum was a sacred percussion instrument used in the cult of Hathor. The sistrum consisted of a wooden or metal frame fitted with loose strips of metal and disks which jingled when moved. This noise was thought to attract the attention of the gods. There are two types of sistrum, an iba, was shaped in a simple loop, like a closed horse-shoe with loose cross bars of metal above a Hathor head and a long handle. The seseshet had the shape of a naos temple above a Hathor head, with ornamental loops on the sides. The rattle was inside the box of the naos. They were usually carried by women of high rank.

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