Communing with Sekhmet
Being a cat lover I've always had a soft spot for Sekhmet!
Black granite statue of the lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet, a warlike deity of fearsome repute. This statue was part of a set of over 300 similar figures erected by Amenhotep III in the temple of Mut at Karnak. Similar statues are held by most major Egyptian collections across the World, all originated at the same site, where many less well preserved figures can still be seen amongst the otherwise totally ruined and little visited Mut Precinct south of Karnak.
Some believe there was originally a figure of Sekhmet for each day of the year. What is known is that Amenhotep III suffered serious illness later in life and may have wished to placate and invoke the powerful goddess on his behalf with this huge tribute.
Sekhmet's best known appearance in Egyptian mythology was as a slayer of humankind who became intoxicated with her vengefull role (on behalf of her father, sun god Ra) and somewhat overstepped the mark. She was thus subdued from her bloodthirsty rampage when tricked by the other gods who poured wine over the country which she drank, believing it to be blood, and was soon intoxicated!
She was identified as the fiercer aspect of the life-giving Sun and was wife of the craftsman god Ptah and mother of the lotus god Nefertum. She originally emerged as an aspect of the goddess Hathor.
Communing with Sekhmet
Being a cat lover I've always had a soft spot for Sekhmet!
Black granite statue of the lioness-headed goddess Sekhmet, a warlike deity of fearsome repute. This statue was part of a set of over 300 similar figures erected by Amenhotep III in the temple of Mut at Karnak. Similar statues are held by most major Egyptian collections across the World, all originated at the same site, where many less well preserved figures can still be seen amongst the otherwise totally ruined and little visited Mut Precinct south of Karnak.
Some believe there was originally a figure of Sekhmet for each day of the year. What is known is that Amenhotep III suffered serious illness later in life and may have wished to placate and invoke the powerful goddess on his behalf with this huge tribute.
Sekhmet's best known appearance in Egyptian mythology was as a slayer of humankind who became intoxicated with her vengefull role (on behalf of her father, sun god Ra) and somewhat overstepped the mark. She was thus subdued from her bloodthirsty rampage when tricked by the other gods who poured wine over the country which she drank, believing it to be blood, and was soon intoxicated!
She was identified as the fiercer aspect of the life-giving Sun and was wife of the craftsman god Ptah and mother of the lotus god Nefertum. She originally emerged as an aspect of the goddess Hathor.