The Hidden One. Amun, whose name means "the hidden one," was originally associated with the area of Thebes. When Theban families rose to prominence and became the rulers of all Egypt, first in Dynasty 12 (circa 1938-1759b.c.e.), and again in Dynasty 18 (circa 1539-1295/1292 b.c.e.), Amun's power and influence also increased. As the Dynasty 18 kings expanded Egypt's empire into Asia, they attributed their successes to Amun's blessings and rewarded his priesthood accordingly. Eventually, Amun joined with Re and rose to become the state god of Egypt, known as Amun-Re, king of the gods, lord of the thrones of the two lands. During the Third Intermediate Period (circa 1075-656b.c.e.) the priesthood of Amun at Thebes became the virtual rulers of southern Egypt, and one of the most important priestly offices was that of God's Wife of Amun.
Wind and Air. Amun was usually depicted as a human wearing a cap adorned with two tall, multicolored feathers. His skin is blue, perhaps related to Amun's association with the wind and air. His principal cult center was at Karnak, where he was worshiped in conjunction with his consort Mut (goddess representing motherhood) and their son Khonsu(the wanderer, representing the Moon). He was associated with the ram and the goose.
Progenitor. In the Hermopolitan cosmogony (so-called because it is thought to have originated in Hermopolis, before being transferred to Thebes) Amun is one of the sixteen gods representing the state of the world before creation. These gods make up an ogdoad, or group of eight pairs of deities. This group includes Nu(n) and Naunet (representing the primeval water and formlessness), Huh and Huhet (spaciousness), Kek and Keket (darkness), and Amun and Amaunet (hiddenness). Another tradition describes how Amun, in his form of Kematef (a serpent deity), fathers the ogdoad. This idea of Amun being his own progenitor and therefore having no creator is also encountered in the form of Amun Kamutef, "Amun, bull of his mother," that is to say, Amun was his own father.
Kingship. Amun was closely associated with kingship. Reliefs from New Kingdom (circa 1539-1075 b.c.e.) temples describe the divine birth of th eking. Amun was said to have fallen in love with the queen of Egypt. He visited her in the guise of her current husband, the reigning king, and fathered the next king of Egypt. When the child was born, Amun acknowledged his paternity and presented the child to the gods as the future king of Egypt.
-- Stephen Thompson
Source Citation:
"Amun." World Eras, Vol. 5: Ancient Egypt, 2615-332 B.C.E. Edward I. Bleiberg, ed. Gale Group, 2002. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. 07 Dec. 2005. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/History
Document Number: BT1646550153
