Apis is a sacred bull of ancient Egypt. He's raised from a calf, elevated to the status of an oracle, and worshipped as a divine bull at a temple in Memphis, by Giza. He relates to the gods Ptah, patron of Memphis, and Osiris, god of the underworld.
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What happens if a crop fails? A whole civilization dies. If fertile floods don't come, the wheat withers and fruit trees are barren. In ancient times famine, disease and misfortune is due to evil spirits or angry gods.
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Despite overall advances in natural medicine and survival science, humans are vulnerable to a frightening number of chaotic or deadly events. Thus it's important to keep the Gods happy. Eventually a complex web of ideology forms around the concept.
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Bull sacrifice is known in Egypt by at least 3500 BCE, particularly to the bovine Goddesses Hathor and Bat, as shown by ceremonial bull burials. The bull is the God or divine aspect of the Pharaoh.
Apis, Hapis or Hapi-ankh is the sacred Bull of Memphis, Egypt. He's not intended for sacrifice, but as a living embodiment of divinity. His worship goes back to the early Bronze Age, c. 3300 BCE. His initial role is herald of god Ptah, patron of Memphis.
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Cattle of the Memphis region in ancient Egypt have white patterns on mainly black bodies. A belief grows that the Apis calf must have a certain set of markings. He has to have a white triangle on his forehead.
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He also must show a white Egyptian vulture wing outline on its back, a scarab mark under his tongue, a white crescent moon shape on his right flank, and a double number of hairs on his tail.
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The calf is found in the herds and brought to a temple. He receives a harem of cows, and is worshiped as an embodiment of god Ptah. At the temple, Apis is seen as an oracle. His movements are considered prophecies. He's an intermediary between mortals and gods.
His breath is thought to cure disease and his presence to bless those around him with strength. A window in the temple lets him be seen by the populace. On certain holidays, he is led through the streets of the city, decorated with jewelry and flowers.
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His cow mother, called the Isis Cow, is believed to conceive him divinely. She's impregnated by a flash of lightning from the heavens or from moonbeams. She also receives special care and treatment, and is mummified upon her death.
Apis can communicate with other Gods and relay the information to people. Some believe Apis is an embodiment of Ptah when alive and Osiris when dead. Apis lives until he dies of old age, or 25 years, whichever comes first. 25 years is a long lifetime for a bull.
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The mummification ritual of the sacred bull is written in the Apis papyrus, a 1st century CE writing. The body of the bull may be fixed in a standing position on a foundation of wooden planks. His eyes are replaced with gems. He might have a solar disc between his horns.
The embalming ritual of the Apis lasts 70 days. It includes removing organs and leaving the body in natron for 40 days. Priests performing the ritual have to wear their hair long and not bathe, in contrast to the Egyptian love of cleanliness and shaved heads and bodies.
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The priests also wear costumes made especially for the purposes of the ritual. They wail loudly, fast for four days and abstain from milk and meat for the remaining sixty-six days.
By the New Kingdom (c. 1550 - 1070 BCE), the remains of the sacred bulls are interred at Saqqara, alongside the graves of kings. Ramesses II begins Apis burials in what now is known as the Serapeum, also at Saqqara.
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An underground complex at Saqqara, it's created specifically for the burial of sacred bulls. The site is used throughout the rest of Ancient Egyptian history into the reign of Cleopatra, before c. 30 CE.
A similar style of worship appears at Faiyum, Middle Egypt, in the ancient world. There the people revere a live crocodile representing the god Sobek. When the crocodile dies it's mummified.
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