Editing Mnevis

{{short description|Ancient Egyptian deity}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Egyptian
| image = File:Mnevis.svg
| symbol = black bull, solar disk
| cult_center = [[Heliopolis (ancient Egypt)|Heliopolis]]
| offspring = [[Apis (deity)|Apis]] (according to the priesthood of Mnevis)
}}
{{Ancient Egyptian religion}}
'''Mnevis''' ({{Langx|grc|Μνέυις}}, {{Langx|cop|ⲉⲙⲛⲉⲩⲓ}})<ref>{{Cite book|title=THE DEMOTIC DICTIONARY OF THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO|year=2002|location=Chicago|pages=153}}</ref> is the [[Hellenized]] name of an [[ancient Egypt]]ian [[Sacred bull|bull god]] which had its centre of worship at [[Heliopolis (ancient Egypt)|Heliopolis]], and was known to the ancient Egyptians as '''''Mer-wer''''' or '''''Nem-wer'''''.<ref name=Wilkinson>{{cite book |last=Wilkinson|first=Richard H.|author-link=Richard H. Wilkinson|year=2003|title=The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt|url=https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0|url-access=registration|location=New York|publisher=Thames & Hudson|ISBN=0-500-05120-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/completegodsgodd00wilk_0/page/174 174-175]}}</ref>

Although initially a separate god, it was later assimilated to the [[Religious syncretism|syncretized]] god [[Atum-Ra]] as his physical manifestation, and also considered as the [[ Ba (Egyptian soul)|ba]] of [[Ra]]. Mnevis is often depicted as a black bull wearing [[Solar_symbol#Solar_disk|a solar disk]] and [[uraeus]].<ref name=Wilkinson/> As reported by [[Plutarch]], the Mnevis bull was second only to the [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphite]] [[Apis bull]] in importance. Similarly to the Apis bull, the Mnevis bull's movements were thought to be driven by divine will, and used as an [[oracle]]. The priesthood of Mnevis also went as far as to claim that Mnevis was none other than the father of the more famous Apis.<ref name=Wilkinson/>

The Mnevis bull was entitled to two [[concubines]], more precisely two cows representing [[Hathor]] and [[Iusaaset]]. When the bull died, he was embalmed and buried with all honours in a dedicated [[necropolis]] which was located not far from the temple at Heliopolis.<ref name=Wilkinson/> Another burial ground was reserved for the so-called Mothers of Mnevis, which were considered the embodiment of the cow-goddess [[Hesat]]. After a Mnevis bull's death a replacement for him was sought, usually a completely black bull. There was only ever one Mnevis bull at a time.<ref name=Wilkinson/>

The cult of Mnevis was among the very few to be tolerated during the "[[Amarna heresy]]" of King [[Akhenaten]], probably because of [[Aten|its solar attributes]]. It is known that Akhenaten ordered the construction of a necropolis for Mnevis bulls in [[Akhetaten]], although it has not yet been found.<ref name=Wilkinson/>

== See also ==
* [[Auðumbla]]
* [[Buchis]]
* [[Bull of Heaven]]
* [[Kao (bull)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Mnevis}}

{{Ancient Egyptian religion footer|collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Egyptian gods]]
[[Category:Horned gods]]
[[Category:Ra]]
[[Category:Epithets of Amun-Ra]]
[[Category:Mythological bulls]]
[[Category:Sacred bulls]]
[[Category:Hathor]]
[[Category:Cattle deities]]


[[ca:Llista de personatges de la mitologia egípcia#M]]