Anubis, the jackal-headed god of ancient Egyptian mythology, was a significant deity in the Egyptian pantheon. However, during the Hellenistic period in Egypt, Anubis was often associated with Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, communication, and travelers. This association between Anubis and Hermes is intriguing and raises questions about why these two distinct gods were linked.
One possible reason for this association is that both Anubis and Hermes were associated with death. In ancient Egypt, Anubis was responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife and protecting them during their journey.
Similarly, in Greek mythology, Hermes acted as a psychopomp – a guide who led souls from the physical world to the underworld. The shared responsibility of guiding souls may have led to an association between these two gods.
Another possible explanation is that both Anubis and Hermes were patrons of embalmers. In ancient Egypt, embalmers played an essential role in preparing bodies for mummification and ensuring that they were ready for their journey to the afterlife.
Anubis was believed to oversee this process and protect embalmers during their work. Similarly, in ancient Greece, Hermes was considered the patron of embalmers and funeral directors.
The association between Anubis and Hermes may also be linked to cultural exchange between Egypt and Greece during the Hellenistic period. During this time, Egypt was under Greek rule following Alexander the Great’s conquests. As a result of this cultural exchange, many aspects of Greek culture began influencing Egyptian art and religion.
In conclusion, while there are several theories about why Anubis was associated with Hermes when Greeks ruled Egypt during the Hellenistic period; it is likely due to shared responsibilities (like guiding souls) or cultural exchanges between both cultures. Regardless of how this association came about, it has left a lasting impact on both Egyptian mythology and Greek mythology as well as their subsequent civilizations.
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