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Statue of the Nile God Hapy
Statue of the Nile God Hapy, from Thebes, Karnak, temple of Amun-Ra, Egypt, 22nd Dynasty, reign of Osorkon I, c. 924-889 BCE.
The fleshy body symbolizes the Nile's fertility. Hapy holds a table of offerings, from which hang geese, quails, lotuses, pomegranates, and grapes. He presents his produce to Amun-Ra, in whose principal temple this statue stood. A relief behind Hapy's left leg shows who dedicated this statue; Sheshonq, high priest of Amun-Ra in Thebes. He was designated heir to the throne of his father, Osorkon I. They briefly ruled together, but Sheshonq died 1st and he was buried in Tanis, then Egypt's capital.
The British Museum, London.
Questions & Answers
How long were the gods & goddesses of ancient Egypt worshipped?
- The gods & goddesses of ancient Egypt were worshipped from the Predynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE through the Roman Period of Egypt (30 BCE- 646 CE).
How did people worship the gods of ancient Egypt?
- People worshipped the gods through festivals and private rituals. There were no "worship services" as one would understand them today. Clergy communed with the god/goddess at the temple and people could visit the temple complex but were not allowed in the temple itself.
Who was the most popular deity of ancient Egypt?
- Isis was the most popular deity of ancient Egypt. Temples were raised in her honor outside of Egypt as far away as Roman Britain and her cult was a major contender with early Christianity.
Who was the most powerful deity of ancient Egypt?
- The most powerful deity of ancient Egypt was Amun. Amun was worshipped the longest and his clergy was so wealthy that their power rivaled that of the monarch.
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External Links
Ancient Egyptian Gods & Goddesses/British Museum
britishmuseum.org
Religion and gods in ancient Egypt - The Australian Museum
australian.museum
