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New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Dynasty XXII, 945-715 B.C.
Amun-Ra, God of Kings and King of Gods. The oldest and longest venerated ruler of ancient Egypt, Amun, meaning “hidden” and Ra meaning “light” translates to "hidden light". The sacred creature of Amun is the ram with curved horns. Pharaohs repeatedly called themselves “Merry-Amun” or Beloved of Amun. Also, since the ruler was “Son of Ra” it followed that Amun was father of the Monarch. As God of the Theban capital, Amun attained the position of supreme state God in the new kingdom, and as Amun-Ra was identified with the Sun God. Lastly, the God “He who abides in all things”, was imagined as the soul (Ba) of all phenomena. As a god, he carries an ankh, the sign of life in one hand while the other, against his chest, holds a scimitar, a symbol of power.
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