Tenth International Congress of Egyptologists Abstracts of Papers

XICE – Abstract of Papers
of snake deities frequently appeared in the temples such as Edfu and Dendera,
Accordingly, the scope of this study are two groups of snakes which were identified
in the Central Hall of the temple of Edfu. Each of these groups comprises four
crawling snakes. One group is represented on the lower part of the eastern exterior
door jamb of the Central Hall, while the other group is depicted on the corresponding
location on the western door jamb. Each group is depicted heading towards the door
of the Central Hall. In addition, they were accompanied with their names only and
without any epithets.
Snakes of the western door jamb
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Snakes of the eastern door jamb
Iry-dndn “who belongs to rage” %q-Haw “who with the joined body”
@aw-@r “the body of Horus” #nty- @r “the foremost of Horus”
%wDA-Haw
aA pHty
“who lets the body safe”
“the one with the great
power”
@aw-nb.f “The body of his lord”
[…] wn […] wen
This study investigates this topic through four parts. The first part examines the
locations of the representations of these snake deities in the temple of Edfu which
show them in both corresponding and non-corresponding locations. These
representations show that some of them are depicted as snakes, as snake-headed
deities, or as both. Additionally, the texts, which mention them in of other temples
such as Dendera and Esna, are investigated. Furthermore, the deities, which
accompany them such as Rennenet and the offerings being offered to them, are
considered.
The second part discusses the epithets and attributes of these snake-deities. The
texts, which accompany them at the temple of Edfu, show that some of the names of
other snake deities which appeared in the temple such as Akrw “earth-gods snakes”,
aHaw-mnxw “the excellent snakes” and the #tbw-snakes were used to refer to them.
Moreover, their epithets show that the snake deities in question are connected to Edfu.
The third part studies the role of these deities in the temple of Edfu. Four of them Irydndn,
%q-Haw, @aw-@r, and #nty-@r are mentioned in the texts of the temples of Edfu
and Dendera among the deities that belong to the chapel of the “Throne of Re” in the
temple of Edfu. Moreover, it seems that they have protective role as two of them are
mentioned in the texts of Edfu, Iry-dndn together with +sr-tp protect of the “secret
chamber” while %q-Haw together with @r.f-m-ds protect the “southern chamber”.
Lastly, a comparison between the snake deities in question and the Agathoi
Daimones of Dendera will be made. R. Preys concluded that the latter provided
protection, provisions and were considered the ancestor deities that were buried in the
necropolis of Khadit. The similarities and dissimilarities, especially in terms of
representations and functions, will thus be attempted. Hence, this study is an attempt
to approach some snake deities during the Graeco-Roman period.
References:
B. PORTER and R. MOSS, Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian
Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings, vol .VI (Oxford, 1991).
C. LEITZ, Lexikon der ägyptischen Götter und Götterbezeichnungen, vol. I, OLA 110
(Leuven, 2002).