Neith, also known as Neit, is an ancient Egyptian goddess who was specifically worshiped in the city of Sais, located in the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt. According to historical texts, the cult of Neith dates back to the origins of Egyptian history. Testimonies show that the kings of the first dynasties regularly visited his sanctuary at Sais, these visits seemed to play an essential role in the rites of the royal coronation and the celebrations of the jubilee.
According to Egyptian mythology, Neith originated in Libya before settling in the Nile Delta. The Egyptians recognized this Libyan origin, attributing to Neith a scope that went beyond their national borders.
Iconography and Representations
In Egyptian art, Neith is often depicted as a woman wearing the red crown, a symbol of Lower Egypt. She shares this image with the goddess Wadjet of Bouto, both being considered the guardians of this symbol of royalty.
As a warrior goddess, she is often depicted with a bow and arrows. Its emblem consists of two crossed arrows on a shield, and it is often associated with the military victories of the pharaoh. The later Greeks drew a parallel between Neith and their goddess Athena because of this warlike aspect.
Neith is also depicted with an oval object representing the shuttle used by Egyptian weavers. This symbolism makes her the protector of textile workers, especially those who produced the bandages needed for mummification.
Neith as Primordial and Creator Goddess
Neith is also recognized as a primordial and creator goddess, a characteristic rarely attributed in the Egyptian pantheon. In this role, she is considered to have been impregnated by the Word, which allowed her to give birth to the Sun. She weaves the world and sets its limits through seven fabrics, then creates the seven right words that make her the mistress of the universe.
Neith in the Osirian Myth
In the Osirian myth, Neith is recognized as the "Great of Wisdom". She played a crucial role in judging the fight between Seth and Horus, proposing that Horus should become king of the plant world and Seth of the desert. To avoid favoring Horus, she offered Seth foreign goddesses.
Neith during the New Kingdom
During the New Kingdom, Neith took on the role of protector of the king's viscera, alongside Isis, Serket and Nephthys. She was responsible for the canopic jar which contained the stomach of the deceased.
Sometimes she is considered the wife of Khnum, or in the Fayoum, as consort of Seth, she is the mother of Sobek. She is also sometimes likened to the goddess Nut, the celestial vault.
Greco-Roman Assimilation and the Cult of Neith
In Greco-Roman times, Neith was assimilated to Isis, and by this means will transmit part of its character of demiurge to the Egyptian divinity whose cult will spread throughout the Empire merging with that of the great goddess Cybele.
His cult reached its peak around the XNUMXth dynasty (XNUMXth century BC) whose pharaohs were from Sais. At that time, his priesthood was as powerful as that of many other famous gods, and his great delta temple was reputed to have one of the richest libraries in the land, as well as a famous medical school.
Neith was mainly worshiped in Sais, but her cult also spread to Memphis and Esna, as well as Kellis in the western oasis of Al-Kharga.
Neith in Popular Culture
Neith's influence is not limited to ancient history or mythology, as she has also left her mark on contemporary popular culture. Ancient Egyptian mythological figures, including Neith, have always fascinated and inspired creators of various media, ranging from film to literature to video games.
A notable example of Neith's presence in modern popular culture is his appearance in the video game "Smite: Battleground of the Gods", a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) type game where players can embody various deities from different mythologies. In this game, Neith is one of the playable goddesses and she is featured with her traditional attributes including her role as a weaver of fate and her skills as a hunter.
Also, the goddess Neith is also mentioned in various works of fiction. For example, in Rick Riordan's "The Kane Chronicles" novel series, which draws heavily on Egyptian mythology, Neith is one of many deities featured. In these stories she is portrayed as a hunter goddess who can weave illusions to deceive her enemies.
These modern appearances of Neith are just a glimpse of how ancient history and mythology can live on and inspire current and future generations. Myths and legends like those of Neith provide a valuable link to the past while enriching our contemporary culture.
Other deities than Neith