some interesting facts about Anubis the Pharoah
1. Anubis is not a Pharaoh: First and foremost, Anubis is not a Pharaoh but an ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife. Often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or a full jackal, Anubis was one of the most important gods in the Egyptian pantheon.
2. Connection with embalming and burial rites: The ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis guided the souls of the deceased through the underworld and helped with their judgment. As a god of embalming, he was believed to protect the dead and ensure their safe passage to the afterlife.
3. Anubis' parents: There are various myths regarding Anubis' parentage. In some myths, he is the son of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, and Nephthys, the goddess of mourning; in others, he is the son of Set, the god of chaos, and Nephthys.
4. Titles and epithets: Anubis had several titles and epithets, including "He Who is upon his mountain," "Lord of the Sacred Land," "Foremost of the Divine Booth," and "The one presiding over the god's pavilion."
5. Origin of the jackal imagery: The ancient Egyptians believed that jackals haunted the edges of the desert where the cemeteries were located. As a result, they associated Anubis, the god of the dead, with this animal.
6. Role in the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony: One of Anubis' most significant roles was his involvement in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, which determined if the deceased's soul was pure enough to enter the afterlife. Anubis would guide the soul to the Hall of Two Truths, where he weighed the heart against the Feather of Ma'at, symbolizing truth and balance.
7. Associations with other gods: Throughout Ancient Egyptian history, Anubis was sometimes depicted as an assistant or a subordinate to Osiris, the king of the underworld. He was also identified as the guardian of the tombs and was mentioned in various spells meant to protect corpses from grave robbers.
8. Anput: Anubis had a female equivalent known as Anput, who was also associated with mummification and burial rites. She often appeared as a female figure with a jackal head or a full jackal.
9. Shift in significance: During the Middle Kingdom period, the importance of Anubis began to decline, and the god Osiris became more prominent in funerary rituals. However, Anubis remained an essential deity throughout ancient Egyptian history.
10. Worship and cult centers: Temples and sanctuaries dedicated to Anubis were located throughout Egypt, with significant cult centers at Abydos, Asyut, and Oxyrhynchus. The tomb workers of Deir el-Medina, responsible for constructing the Valley of the Kings, also worshipped Anubis as their patron god.
In conclusion, although Anubis was not a Pharaoh, he played a significant role in ancient Egyptian religion and culture, representing aspects of death, preservation, and the journey to the afterlife.