amun ra
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A major deity in ancient Egyptian religion: Amun-Ra (also written as Amun-Re) is the composite sun god formed by the merging of the gods Amun and Ra. He represents the supreme god of the universe, combining Amun's aspects of hidden power and creation with Ra's aspects of the sun and kingship. He was the principal state deity during the period of Theban supremacy in ancient Egypt.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The pharaoh made an offering to Amun-Ra to ensure the sun's rise.
- The great temple at Karnak was dedicated to the worship of Amun-Ra.
- Amun-Ra was often depicted as a man with a double-plumed crown, sometimes with a ram's head.
Advanced Usage
- Theological significance: The fusion of Amun and Ra into Amun-Ra represents a key syncretism in Egyptian religion, symbolizing the combination of hidden, mysterious creative force (Amun) with the visible, life-giving power of the sun (Ra).
- The concept of Amun-Ra illustrates how Egyptian theology evolved to unify different regional cults.
Variants and Related Words
- Amun (Proper noun): A major Egyptian god, originally a god of air and creation, whose name means "the hidden one."
- Ra (Proper noun): The ancient Egyptian sun god, one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon.
- Amun-Re (Proper noun): An alternative spelling for Amun-Ra.
Synonyms
- King of the Gods: A title often associated with Amun-Ra during the New Kingdom period.
- The Hidden Sun: A descriptive phrase referencing the combined nature of the deity (Amun's hiddenness + Ra's solar aspect).
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Theban Triad: The chief gods of Thebes were Amun-Ra, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu.
- The Theban Triad, led by Amun-Ra, was central to state religion.
- Lord of the Thrones of the Two Lands: A royal epithet for Amun-Ra, emphasizing his connection to the unified kingdom of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Noun
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Egyptian sun god; supreme god of the universe in whom Amen and Ra were merged; principal deity during Theban supremacy
