Definition

Proper noun 1. An ancient Egyptian deity: Amon (also commonly spelled Amun) is a primeval Egyptian god originally personifying the concepts of air, breath, and invisibility. He became a major national deity, particularly worshipped in the city of Thebes, where he was often fused with the sun god Ra as Amon-Ra, king of the gods.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The great temple at Karnak was dedicated to the god Amon.
  • As the cult of Amon grew in power, his priests became very influential.
  • Pharaohs of the New Kingdom often claimed the direct patronage of Amon.

Advanced Usage

• "Amon-Ra" or "Amun-Ra": This compound name represents the syncretic fusion of Amon with the sun god Ra, resulting in a supreme deity who was the "King of the Gods" and a national god of Egypt during the New Kingdom.
  • The pharaoh was seen as the earthly son of Amon-Ra.

Variants and Related Words

• Amun: The more common standardized spelling in Egyptology for the same deity.
• Amon-Ra/Amun-Ra: The combined solar form of the god.
• Ammon: The Hellenized (Greek) version of the name, used by classical historians.

Synonyms

• Amun
• Ammon (in Greek contexts)

Related Concepts and Phrases

• Theban Triad: The chief gods of Thebes, consisting of Amon, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu.
• Ogdoad: In the creation myth of Hermopolis, Amun was part of the Ogdoad, a group of eight primeval gods representing chaos before creation, where he was a god of air and hidden power.

Noun

1. a primeval Egyptian personification of air and breath; worshipped especially at Thebes