Mnevis

Mnevis ( ancient Greek ), ancient Egyptian: Mer -Who is the Egyptian bull of Heliopolis, than which it is attested since the Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom. The name " Mer - who" is, however, attested only since the New Kingdom.

Representation

In Egyptian representations, such as by ancient sources Mnevis appears as a black bull with strong neck and larger than average testicles. Between his horns he often wears the solar disk. Other figures show Mnevis as a man with bovine head.

In mythology

Mnevis was considered solar bull and was revered in Heliopolis deities close. He was the herald of Re and associated with Atum, to which he can ascend the truth. In some texts he is also identified with this and even called Atum as a bull of Heliopolis. In the New Kingdom the goddess Hesat was his mother.

Cult and cult places

In Heliopolis a living bull was worshiped. Died this, he was buried and another bull was chosen. Next to it a rod with a bull's head was a fetish, revered as Mnevis in this case. Burials of Mnevis Bulls are occupied archaeologically since the reign of Ramses II. The tomb of Mnevis Bulls lay to the north of Heliopolis. In Greco- Roman times he found in Dendera worship. He was also mentioned in the so-called magical papyri and to the 5th century AD, its name was in Italy in spells yet known.

Since Mnevis was close to the sun god Re, he was also worshiped in the first years of the reign of Akhenaten, who built him a grave in Amarna system. The cult of Mnevis is related to the cult of Apis in Memphis in many ways.