EGYPTIAN GODS AND GODDESSES

AmunAppearance: Man with a ram-head A ram Man wearing an ostrich plumed hat

History /Amun was one of the most powerful gods in ancient Egypt. At the height of Egyptian civilization he was called the 'King of the Gods'.

Amun Amun was important throughout the history of ancient Egypt. However, when Amun was combined with the sun god Ra he was even more powerful. He was then called Amun-Ra.

A large and important temple was built at Thebes  to honor Amun.

Anubis

Appearance: Man with a jackal head A jackal

Histroy/Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead. Since jackals were often seen in cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis watched over the dead.

Aten 

 Appearance: A sun disk with rays which end in hands

H/istoryAten was a form of the sun god Ra. During the reign of Akhenaton, the Aten was made the 'king' of the gods.

Atum 

 'The All' or 'Perfection

'Appearance: Man with the double crown

Atum was a creator god. The ancient Egyptians believed that Atum was the first god to exist on earth.

BastetAppearance: Woman with the head of a cat

Bastet was a protective goddess.

Bastet was usually seen as a gentle protective goddess. However, she sometimes appeared with the head of a lioness to protect the king in battle.

The cat was a symbol of Bastet. The ancient Egyptians made many statues of cats like this one to honour Bastet.

Bastet was one of the daughters of the sun god, Ra. A great temple was built in her honor at Bubastis in the Delta.

Bes

Appearance: Dwarf with lion and human features Dwarf wearing the skin of a lion

Bes was the protector of pregnant women, newborn babies and the family.

Bes The ancient Egyptians also believed that Bes protected against snake and scorpion bites.

Amulets  of Bes were popular at all levels of Egyptian society.

Geb 

 Appearance:

Man lying down below the arch of the sky goddess Nut

Man with a goose on his head

Geb was the god of the earth. Geb was the husband and brother of the sky goddess Nut. He was also the father of Osiris, Isis, Nepthys and Seth. When Seth and Horus fought for the throne of Egypt, Geb made Horus the ruler of the living.

Hapy

Appearance: Man with a pot belly, shown with water plants

Hapy was the god of the innrndation

Hapy was especially important to the ancient Egyptians because he brought the flood every year.

The flood deposited rich silt on the banks of the Nile, allowing the Egyptians to grow crops.