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After Amon merged with Ra, why did he become the unrivaled king?
In the religious system of ancient Egypt, Amun was one of the most important gods. As time went by, his status continued to rise, and eventually after merging with the sun god Ra, he became the unrivaled king. This process is not only the expansion of the influence of the gods, but also a clear evidence of the social changes in ancient Egypt. This article will explore how Amun became the unrivaled king after merging with Ra and maintained this position until the decline of ancient Egypt.
Amon is considered to be the king of the gods, and his name means "hidden". This also relates to his role as a protector, especially of the weak and those in distress.
Amun's faith dates back to the Old Kingdom, but his rise to power is closely tied to the reign of the Eleventh Dynasty. During that period, Amun gradually replaced Montu as the patron god of Thebes, and with the power of many pharaohs behind him, his worship spread rapidly. Especially in the 18th Dynasty, the pharaohs Ciyan often regarded him as the source of victory.
Amun's power grew further, especially during the struggle to expel the Hyksos, in which the pharaohs of Thebes viewed him as a god of justice and protection. In the belief system of the ancient Egyptians, Amon was believed to be compassionate to those who believed in him and to provide aid in times of difficulty.
In Delmedine's votive stelae, there is a praise for Amun: "Amun, the Lord who hears the cry of the poor, will save me in my troubles."
By the New Kingdom, Amon was everywhere. His main altar was at Karnak, where the magnificent Temple of Amun-Ra was built and provided a place of pilgrimage for the faithful. Here, the unity of Amon and Ra makes the worship between them seamless, symbolizing creation, power and light. This merger gave Amon the power of the sun and tied him closely to Egypt's political and social structure. Pharaohs often gave glory to Amun after a successful battle.
Another important effect of this merger was that Amon was seen as a god who could hear people's prayers. His many titles show his multiple identities, such as Amon-Ra, Kamutef, etc., highlighting that he is not only the protector of the rule, but also holds the divine power of fertility and prosperity. This diverse divinity attracted the worship of a large number of believers and promoted the growth of ancient Egyptian civilization.
As the cult of Amon expanded beyond Egypt, he also became a deity in Libya and Nubia, and was equally valued in Greek and Roman belief systems as Zeus-Amun and Jupiter -Amon.
Amun's power was not limited to the religious realm. His priests controlled Egypt's economic and political power during the Third Intermediate Period. Their influence was so powerful that they even became de facto rulers, such as high-ranking priests such as Xiliho. Their rise was closely related to the worship of Amon, and this merger of powers brought Amon's status to its peak in society.
Although Amun's cult gradually declined in later periods, his influence in Nubia persisted. His temples still play a central religious and political role in Nubia, and Amon is revered as a national god in the region's culture. Such cultural expansion shows the adaptability and diversity of Amon's beliefs in different social backgrounds.
People can’t help but ask, where does Amon’s power and status come from? Is it his own divine power, or the people’s persistent belief and expectations in him?
