Amun, god of the air and of Thebes. Its symbolism is that of a creator and protective god, the latter is often represented with a crown of ostrich feathers and a scepter in the shape of a crozier.
Its main function was to represent divine power, with supreme authority over the material and immaterial world. It was found in religious ceremonies, fertility rituals, royal weddings and funeral rites. His cult was very popular throughout ancient Egypt.
According to Egyptian mythology, Amun was born from the union of two primordial gods, Ammonet and Ptah. He was also considered the father of Khonsu, god of the moon, and goddess mout. His role in the myths was that of a creator and protector, who had the power to protect kings and pharaohs.
Amun is often depicted with a beard and a high crown, which distinguishes him from other gods. It can also be associated with the frog, the snake and the Benou bird. He is usually depicted as a dark-skinned man with large muscles. The god of air was also associated with war and was often invoked in battles. Overall, Amun was revered in Egypt for millennia and played an important role in the religion and daily life of ancient Egyptians.
Confusion between Amon and Ra
Both Amun and Ra were very important gods, Amun being a god associated with fertility, creation and the wind, while Ra was the god of the sun and royalty. Both gods had dedicated temples in several cities of Egypt, Amun at Karnak and Ra in Heliopolis. But over time the Egyptians tried to unite these two deities. The so-called fusion of the two deities has been undertaken many times over the centuries but has never been definitively accepted.
As stated earlier this fusion was not universally accepted and some priests and believers continued to worship the two gods separately. Eventually, after the end of the New Kingdom, the two gods were separated and worshiped individually again.
The fusion of Amun and Ra into Amun-Ra remains an important example of the evolution of Egyptian mythology. Proof that the vision of the Egyptians can change over the centuries and thus change the order of things in the myths.
His legend in the myth of “Solar race”
In the time of the Pharaohs, in ancient Egypt, the gods ruled over the earth and the sky. Among them was Amun, the god of the earth whose power was such that even the great Ra, the sun god, feared him.
One day, Ra decided to leave the earth to visit the heavens, but he needed a companion to watch over him during his journey. So he called Amon to his side, knowing that his strength and skill could protect him from the dangers of celestial darkness.
Thus, the two gods began their journey in the sky, where the stars twinkled like sparkling jewels in the darkness. But without warning the evil serpent Apophis emerges from the darkness, with the goal of devouring the sun and plunging the world into eternal darkness.
Amon then stood before the beast, ready to fight it. Their forces clashed violently, Amon's breath and the beast's venom mingling in an epic and titanic battle. But in the end, Amon triumphed, routing the evil serpent and allowing the sun to resume its course across the sky.
This is how Amun became known as the patron god of the sun and daylight, watching over the fragile balance of the world and fighting the forces of evil. His courage and determination inspired many Egyptians, who built temples and statues in his honor, revering him as one of the greatest gods in their divine pantheon.
His story in pictures
In popular culture
- In the video game Assassin's Creed Origins, the main character Bayek often interacts with the priests and priestesses of Amun, and visits several of the temples dedicated to this god.
- In the movie The Mummy Returns, the character of Evelyn is an expert in hieroglyphics who works on tablets of Amun.
- In Frank Herbert's Cycle of Dune book series, the god Amun is worshiped by the Fremen people of the planet Arrakis.
- In the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga and anime, the character of Amon is a monster card based on Egyptian mythology.
- In the Asterix and Cleopatra comic, the character of Amun is briefly mentioned as one of the Egyptian gods.
Egyptian deities other than Amun