Egypt God Amon-Re : King of the Gods

Among all the multitude of Egyptian deities, the Egypt god Amon-Re was considered to be the king of the gods. While most Egyptian gods were 'born' at various points in the history of the Egyptian nation and many floated in and out of popularity, the Egypt god Amon-Re appears to have been present in the mythology and culture of the Egyptian people almost from the very inception of this complex and mysterious nation.

Originally, the Egypt god Amon-Re was known only as Amon, or Amen and sometimes Amun. Amon was often associated with such symbols as the ram, the goose and the bull.

While Amon was worshipped to some degree throughout the Egyptian nation, his popularity, or cult, seemed to have reached frenzied proportions in two particular cities. He was considered to be the patron saint of the city of Thebes, where the ruling pharaoh and his royal family resided. Here he became joined with the sun god Re and the two became known as the Egypt god Amon-Re. He was also very popular in Hermopolis, where he was believed to be married to Mut. The couple gave birth to a son named Khonsu, who was associated with the moon. Throughout some parts of Egypt it was believed that Amon was at least partially responsible for creation. Many popular beliefs regarding Amon included his protection of the weak.

Amon remained popular throughout various points in the history of the Egyptian nation, generally outrivaling other ancient Egyptian gods. The Egyptian deity did suffer his moments of unpopularity; particularly during the rule of Queen Hatshepsut. The female pharaoh who took control of the Egyptian throne upon the death of her husband and half-brother attempted to authenticate her right to rule Egypt by declaring herself to be divinely appointed by Amon and even went so far as to indicate she was his daughter. The temple she built at Deir-el-Bahri was dedicated to the Egypt god Amon-Re.

During the reign of Akhenaten, the pharaoh attempted to set aside worship of Amon and replace the deity with another, the sun god Aten. At that time, King Akhenaten moved the royal residence from its traditional location in Thebes to a relatively underdeveloped area and made further attempts at establishing a monotheistic religion throughout the Egyptian nation, dedicated solely to the worship of Aten. The popularity and dedication to the Egypt god Amon-Re proved to be too strong however. Aten never really gained the foothold that King Akhenaten would have preferred. In fact, his manipulation only seemed to cause the Egyptian people to despise him more. Upon his death and the latter coronation of King Tutankhamon, Egypt returned to formally worshipping Amon-Re. Almost all references and idols that were dedicated to Aten during the reign of Akhenaten were destroyed.