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"He is Sobek, the green of plumage, with alert face and raised fore, the splashing one who came from the thigh of the tail... Lord of the Waters who brings fertility to the land." – Pyramid Texts.
The Nile crocodile was the apex predator of Ancient Egypt, inspiring a unique mixture of terror and deep respect. The Egyptians did not seek to destroy this danger; instead, they deified it in the form of Sobek (Sebek), the crocodile-headed god of military power, fertility, and pharaonic strength.
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Sobek: God of Strength and Fertility
Sobek was worshiped from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period. His aggressive nature made him a patron of the Egyptian army and a protector of the Pharaoh.
- Creator God: In some myths, it was believed that the Nile River originated from Sobek's sweat, linking him directly to the fertility of the land.
- Protector: Despite his ferocity, Sobek was seen as a protective deity who warded off evil spirits and guarded the dead in the afterlife.
The City of Crocodiles
The center of his cult was in the Faiyum region, in a city the Greeks called Crocodilopolis (Shedet).
Petsuchos: The Living God
In the temple lake lived a specific crocodile known as the Petsuchos ("Son of Sobek"). This beast was treated like a living king. Priests adorned it with gold earrings and bracelets on its forelegs. It was hand-fed a diet of choice meat, wine, and honey cakes. When the Petsuchos died, it was mummified with royal rites, and a new crocodile was chosen to take its place.
The Dual Temple of Kom Ombo
Located in Upper Egypt, the Temple of Kom Ombo is unique because it is a double temple. The southern half is dedicated to Sobek, while the northern half is dedicated to Horus the Elder.
Here, archaeologists found a massive necropolis containing hundreds of mummified crocodiles of all sizes, from hatchlings to massive adults. These mummies are now displayed in the nearby Crocodile Museum, showcasing the immense devotion Egyptians had for these reptiles.