Thoth



The anciant Egyptian God of learning and wisdom, associated with the moon. He was called the "Lord of Heavens","Beautiful of Night" and the "Silent Being" in various eras. He was normally depicted as a man with the head of an Ibis, considered his theophany, although he was also associated with Baboons and could take their form. He was honored at first as a scribe God at Hermopolis, and was then given greater cultic prominence, assuming the fofrm of dog-headed apes in many rituals.

Thoth was also a protector of priest-physicians, and was associated in some temples with the inundation of the Nile. His great cultic festival was celebrated at the New Year. He was considered skilled in magic and became the patron of all scribes thoroughout the nation. Thoth appears in the Horus legends and was depicted in every age as the God who "loved truth and hated abomination".


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