This complex is located in modern Western Bhutan in Sudan. There is a temple dedicated to the lion-headed god Apedemak in Musawwarat es-Sufra: A massive Meroitic complex that dates back to the 3rd century BC. The Many Shrines to Apedemak The Temple of Apedemak She just so happened to have owned the lion as a pet in this case, and she made it a habit to piss off Augustus Caesar, the ruler of Rome. The most notorious ruler in Kush to have done this is the tactical, one-eyed Kandake Amanirenas. Similar events may have occurred in Rome, as well, though most frequently during the many bloodsports that took place in the Colosseum. Whether or not this was practiced as an appeasement of Apedemak, or a display of his power, is unknown. Such a cruel death was to be expected as punishment for such a daring crime, with multiple accounts confirming the feeding of captives to lions in Egypt, as well as in Kush during this time. Many would go on to speculate that this war god also embodies military justice: Depictions of him holding the shackles of prisoners of war as well as eating captives suggests grave outcomes for anyone opposing the rule of the sitting king. There are countless images of Apedemak in a complete leonine form on the walls of temples that show him devouring enemies and granting aid to kings in the midst of war. Many of those kings that paid their respects to this war deity claimed his favor, swearing that he would lead them to victory against their adversaries. Due to its close proximity to Egypt, there was a degree of cultural overlap: Records indicate that Egyptian gods were worshiped in some cities, that the people of Kush also mummified their dead, and that they also built burial pyramids. It lay within the fertile land of the Nile Valley and was a hub for ironworking. The Kingdom of Kush was an absolute monarchy that was established in 1070 BC. Depicted most frequently as a man with the head of a lion - or as in the case at a temple in Naqa, three lion heads - Apedemak represented the unwavering authority of the ruling class in Kush. This war god was a favorite amongst the king of ancient Kush, Egypt’s southern neighbor. The 8 Most Revered War Gods of the Ancient World.The 8 Most Revered War Gods of the Ancient World These infamous gods and goddesses had their altars built by the blood and brimstone of warfare.īelow we’ll review 8 of the ancient world’s most notorious war gods. Those seeking protection, victory, heroic glory, and a hero’s death prayed in both times of trials and times of peace. Giant temples constructed out of fear and veneration for these all-mighty deities. For they - and they alone - could possibly carry one to victory.įor hundreds of millennia, war gods have been worshiped by civilians and warriors alike by kings far and wide. There is guarantee of surviving the next battle, of seeing a white flag wave, or of drinking from the victor’s cup cold hard truths such as these have stirred the minds of battle-hardened soldiers for generations.Īmong the chaos and cruelty, however, arose a reverence for the lion-hearted war gods and goddesses who played their cards on the battlefield. Although the question has been tossed around for eons, there is no cookie-cutter answer.
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