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Difference between revisions of "Oracle of Amun"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Although the oasis is known to have been settled since at least the 10th millennium BC, the earliest evidence of any connection with Ancient Egypt is the 26th Dynasty, when a necropolis was established and temple were built sometime between 663 - 535 BC. Prior to arrival of the Greeks with Alexander the Great, Herodotus knew of a "fountain of the Sun" at Siwa that ran coldest in the noontime heat. | Although the oasis is known to have been settled since at least the 10th millennium BC, the earliest evidence of any connection with Ancient Egypt is the 26th Dynasty, when a necropolis was established and temple were built sometime between 663 - 535 BC. Prior to arrival of the Greeks with Alexander the Great, Herodotus knew of a "fountain of the [[Sun]]" at Siwa that ran coldest in the noontime heat. | ||
===Alexander the Great=== | ===Alexander the Great=== | ||
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When Alexander the Great occupied Egypt in late 331 BC, he was regarded as a liberator, conquering Egypt without a fight. In an effort to solidify his claim as ruler of Egypt as well as the son of Zeus, Alexander made visiting the oracle at Siwa a priority. His trek through the desert was long and difficult and his retinue reached the oasis by following birds across the desert. | When Alexander the Great occupied Egypt in late 331 BC, he was regarded as a liberator, conquering Egypt without a fight. In an effort to solidify his claim as ruler of Egypt as well as the son of Zeus, Alexander made visiting the oracle at Siwa a priority. His trek through the desert was long and difficult and his retinue reached the oasis by following birds across the desert. | ||
After meeting with the priests, he was permitted access to the temple's Holy of Holies where Alexander spoke alone directly with the oracle. This situation was extremely rare. Typically, a petitioner gave their question to the oracle priest who took the request inside the Holy of Holies. However, due to Alexander's status and renown, the priests allowed him inside the most sacred part of the temple. Here, after speaking with the oracle through a divided partition in the stone temple wall, Alexander was pronounced son of Amun-Ra, confirming him as both a divine personage and the legitimate Pharaoh of Egypt. Before departing the temple grounds, he gave a sizable donation to the priests as thanks for confirming his divine status. | After meeting with the priests, he was permitted access to the temple's Holy of Holies where Alexander spoke alone directly with the oracle. This situation was extremely rare. Typically, a petitioner gave their question to the oracle priest who took the request inside the Holy of Holies. However, due to Alexander's status and renown, the priests allowed him inside the most sacred part of the temple. Here, after speaking with the [[oracle]] through a divided partition in the stone temple wall, Alexander was pronounced son of [[Amun-Ra]], confirming him as both a divine personage and the legitimate Pharaoh of Egypt. Before departing the temple grounds, he gave a sizable donation to the priests as thanks for confirming his divine status. | ||
From this point forward, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father, and after his death, currency depicted him adorned with the Horns of Ammon as a symbol of his divinity. The tradition of depicting Alexander the Great with the horns of Amun continued for centuries, with Alexander being referred to in the Quran as ''Dhu al-Qarnay'' ("The Two-Horned One"), a reference to his depiction on Middle Eastern coins and statuary as having horns of Ammon. | From this point forward, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father, and after his death, currency depicted him adorned with the Horns of Ammon as a symbol of his divinity. The tradition of depicting Alexander the Great with the horns of Amun continued for centuries, with Alexander being referred to in the Quran as ''Dhu al-Qarnay'' ("The Two-Horned One"), a reference to his depiction on Middle Eastern coins and statuary as having horns of Ammon. | ||
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When the traveler and historian Strabo visited Egypt in 23 BC, he recorded that the Oracle of Amon had lost almost all importance. Inscriptions which date back as late as Trajan (98-117 AD) can still be found at the temple. This suggests that even though the Siwa had faded in significance, Roman emperors still honored its cultural and historical significance. | When the traveler and historian Strabo visited Egypt in 23 BC, he recorded that the Oracle of Amon had lost almost all importance. Inscriptions which date back as late as Trajan (98-117 AD) can still be found at the temple. This suggests that even though the Siwa had faded in significance, Roman emperors still honored its cultural and historical significance. | ||
[[Amun-Ra]] was likely still worshiped in Siwa till the arrival of Islam in 702 AD. There is no evidence for [[Christianity]] at the site. | [[Amun-Ra]] was likely still worshiped in Siwa till the arrival of [[Islam]] in 702 AD. There is no evidence for [[Christianity]] at the site. | ||