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ancient-egyptian-god-apis-with-bull-s-head

The Apis was considered to be a manifestation of the Memphite creation god Ptah; it was the 'soul (Ba) Ptah' and 'herald (whm) of Ptah'. The bull was therefore a kind of servant, who was himself divine. Sometimes, it was shown to the populace; during this procession, its walk was considered to be the blessing of the country.

 

When the Apis died, it was buried in a necropolis at Saqqara, which was first used by Nebmaatra Amenhotep III (1391-1353). The died bull had become identical to the god of the Underworld, Osiris. Therefore, he was known as Osiris-Apis. During the reign of the Ptolemaic kings (323-30 BCE), the god Osirapis or Serapis became the most important god of Egypt.

 

The Apis is usually depicted as a black bull with, between his horns, a sun disk and an uraeus snake.

 

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Uploaded on February 10, 2011