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In Egyptian
mythology, Wepwawet (also spelt
Upuaut, Wep-wawet, and Ophois) was
originally a war god, whose cult
centre was Lycopolis (Atef-Khent),
in Upper Egypt. In particular Wepwawet
was seen as a scout, going out to
clear routes for the army to proceed
forward, thus his name, which means
opener of the ways, indeed, Wepwawet
is depicted on the shedshed, a standard
that led armies to battle.
Wepwawet was originally seen as
a wolf-god, thus the Greek name
of Lycopolis, meaning city of wolves,
and it is likely the case that Wepwawet
was originally just a symbol of
the pharaoh, seeking to attribute
himself with wolf-like attributes,
that was later deified as a mascot.
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Likewise, Wepwawet was said to accompany
the pharaoh on hunts, in which capacity
was he was titled (one with) sharp arrow
more powerful than the gods.
Over time, the connection to war, and thus to death, lead
to Wepwawet also being seen as one who opened the ways to,
and through, duat, for the spirits of the dead. Thus this,
through also the similarity of the jackal to the wolf, Wepwawet
became considered connected to Anubis (Anupu), eventually
becoming considered his son, and seen as a jackal.
In art, Wepwawet was shown as a wolf, or as a jackal, or
as a man with the head of a wolf or a jackal. Even when considered
a jackal, Wepwawet was usually shown with grey, or white fur,
reflecting his lupine origins. He was depicted dressed as
a soldier, as well as carrying other military equipment —a
mace and a bow.
For what is generally considered to be propaganda purposes
of the Pharaohs, a later mythos was briefly circulated claiming
that Wepwawet was born at the sanctuary of Wadjet,
a location in the heart of Lower Egypt. Consequently, Wepwawet,
who had hitherto been the standard of Upper Egypt alone, formed
an integral part of royal rituals, symbolising the unification
of Egypt.
| Eventually, his identity
merged into that of Anubis,
and so when Anubis,
the god of the dead in the Ogdoad
belief system, was displaced by Osiris
(Ausare), the god of the dead in the
Ennead, Wepwawet,
more accurately Anubis,
became considered Isis'
(Aset's) adopted son (his real mother
being said to be Nephthys
(Nebt-het), the father being Osiris). |
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