Maahes- Egyptian GodDeity"Lord of the Massacre"
Also known as: Mihos, Miysis, Mahes, and Maihes
Titles & Epithets
Domains
Symbols
Description
Living lions were kept in his temple at Leontopolis, fed to the accompaniment of singing. Maahes, 'Lord of the Massacre,' carried a knife in one hand and a lotus in the other. Son of Bastet and Ptah, he devoured the enemies of Ra and guarded the pharaoh in battle.
Mythology & Lore
The Lions of Leontopolis
At Leontopolis in the Nile Delta, priests kept living lions in the temple of Maahes. The Greek naturalist Aelian recorded that they fed the animals to the accompaniment of singing. These were sacred beasts, lion-headed Maahes made flesh. At Bubastis he was the son of Bastet, the cat goddess, and Ptah of Memphis. At Leontopolis his mother was Sekhmet. His name meant "he who is true beside her," the fierce protector who stood at his mother's side.
Knife and Lotus
Temple reliefs show Maahes as a lion-headed man carrying a knife in one hand and a lotus in the other. The knife was for the enemies of Ra. His epithets, "Lord of the Massacre" and "The Scarlet Lord," left nothing ambiguous. He wore red linen.
Relationships
- Family