Anubis
The Egyptian god Anubis (a modern rendition inspired by New Kingdom tomb paintings)
Protector of the dead and embalming [1]
Name in hieroglyphs
Major cult center	Lycopolis, Cynopolis
Symbol	the fetish, the flail
Parents	Ra (early myth) Nephthys and Set, or Osiris (in some accounts) (later)
Siblings	Horus (in some accounts)
Consort	Anput

Anubis ( /əˈnuːbəs/ or /əˈnjuːbəs/^[2]; Ancient Greek: Ἄνουβις) is the Greek name^[3] for a jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian religion. He is the son of the Nephthys and Set according to the Egyptian mythology. According to the Akkadian transcription in the Amarna letters, Anubis' name was vocalized in Egyptian as Anapa.^[4] The oldest known mention of Anubis is in the Old Kingdom pyramid texts, where he is associated with the burial of the pharaoh.^[5] At this time, Anubis was the most important god of the dead but he was replaced during the Middle Kingdom by Osiris.^[6]

He takes names in connection with his funerary role, such as He who is upon his mountain, which underscores his importance as a protector of the deceased and their tombs, and the title He who is in the place of embalming, associating him with the process of mummification.^[5] Like many ancient Egyptian deities, Anubis assumes different roles in various contexts.

Anubis also attends the weighing scale in the Afterlife during the "Weighing Of The Heart".^[7]

Anubis' wife is a goddess called Anput. His daughter is the goddess Kebechet.

Portrayal[link]

Anubis was associated with the mummification and protection of the dead for their journey into the afterlife. He was usually portrayed as a half human, half jackal, or in full jackal form wearing a ribbon and holding a flail in the crook of its arm.^[8] The jackal was strongly associated with cemeteries in ancient Egypt, since it was a scavenger which threatened to uncover human bodies and eat their flesh.^[9] The distinctive black color of Anubis "did not have to do with the jackal [per se] but with the color of rotting flesh and with the black soil of the Nile valley, symbolizing rebirth."^[9]

Anubis is depicted in funerary contexts where he is shown attending to the mummies of the deceased or sitting atop a tomb protecting it. In fact, during embalming, the "head embalmer" wore an Anubis costume. The critical weighing of the heart scene in the Book of the Dead also shows Anubis performing the measurement that determined the worthiness of the deceased to enter the realm of the dead (the underworld, known as Duat). New Kingdom tomb-seals also depict Anubis sitting atop the nine bows that symbolize his domination over the enemies of Egypt.^[5]

Embalmer[link]

One of the roles of Anubis was "Guardian of the Scales".^[10] Deciding the weight of "truth" by weighing the Heart against Ma'at, who was often depicted as an ostrich feather, Anubis dictated the fate of souls. In this manner, he was a Lord of the Underworld, only usurped by Osiris.

Anubis is a son of Ra in early myths, but later he became known as son of Osiris and Nephthys, and in this role he helped Isis mummify his dead father.^[9] Indeed, when the Myth of Osiris and Isis emerged, it was said that when Osiris had been killed by Set, Osiris' organs were given to Anubis as a gift. With this connection, Anubis became the patron god of embalmers: during the funerary rites of mummification, illustrations from the Book of the Dead often show a priest wearing the jackal mask supporting the upright mummy. Anubis' half-brother is Horus the Child, son of Osiris and Isis.

Perceptions outside Egypt[link]

In later times, during the Ptolemaic period, Anubis was merged with the Greek god Hermes, becoming Hermanubis.^[11] The centre of this cult was in uten-ha/Sa-ka/ Cynopolis, a place whose Greek name simply means "city of dogs". In Book XI of "The Golden Ass" by Apuleius, we find evidence that the worship of this god was maintained in Rome at least up to the 2nd century. Indeed, Hermanubis also appears in the alchemical and hermetical literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Although the Greeks and Romans typically scorned Egypt's animal-headed gods as bizarre and primitive (Anubis was known to be mockingly called "Barker" by the Greeks), Anubis was sometimes associated with Sirius in the heavens, and Cerberus in Hades. In his dialogues (e.g. Republic 399e, 592a), Plato has Socrates utter, "by the dog" (kai me ton kuna), "by the dog of Egypt", "by the dog, the god of the Egyptians" (Gorgias, 482b), for emphasis. Anubis is also known as the god of mummification and death. Instead like other jackals Anubis' head was black to resemble the god of death.

Birth[link]

Anubis was the son of Nephthys, and his father was Osiris. One myth says that Nephthys got Osiris drunk and the resultant seduction brought forth Anubis. Yet another says she disguised herself as Isis and seduced Osiris and subsequently gave birth to Anubis. Usually, Anubis is portrayed as the son of Nephthys and Set, Osiris' brother and the god of the desert and darkness.^[12]

• 

  Anubis statue from the Tomb of Tutankhamun (Cairo Museum).

• 

  Anubis attending the mummy of the deceased.

• 

  Statue of Hermanubis (Vatican Museums)

See also[link]

• Egyptian jackal
• Egyptian mythology in popular culture

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Anubis

Look up Anubis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Anubis – Archaeowiki.org

v t e Ancient Egyptian religion Mythology Paganism Pantheism Polytheism Emanationism Soul Duat Numerology Deities Amun Amunet Anubis Anuket Apep Apis Aten Atum Bastet Bat Bes Four sons of Horus Geb Hapi Hathor Heka Heqet Horus Isis Khepri Khnum Khonsu Kuk Maahes Ma'at Mafdet Menhit Meretseger Meskhenet Min Mnewer Monthu Mut Nefertem Neith Nekhbet Nephthys Nu Nut Osiris Pakhet Ptah Qebui Qetesh Ra Resheph Satet Sekhmet Seker Serket Seshat Set Shu Sobek Sopdet Sopdu Tatenen Taweret Tefnut Thoth Wadjet Wadj-wer Wepwawet Wosret Writings Amduat Books of Breathing Book of Caverns Book of the Dead Book of the Earth Book of Gates Book of the Netherworld Beliefs Atenism Curse of the Pharaohs Funerals Offering formula Philosophy Temples Ancient Egypt Portal

This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (March 2010)

Tad Morose is a Swedish progressive / power metal band formed in 1991 and led by guitarist Christer 'Krunt' Andersson.

Biography[link]

Their full-length debut was Leaving the Past Behind, a minor hit that established the band within the continental European heavy metal community. Sender of Thoughts (1994) was even more popular within the metal community. Their latest and most successful album to date is 2003's Modus Vivendi. Though the group has never caught on in the U.S., they have a larger and growing European base.

In late 2005, Tad Morose parted ways with singer Urban breed (who joined Bloodbound). This delayed recording for the next album, which was set to begin in early 2006, because first a new singer had to be found. On March 9, 2006, Tad Morose announced their new frontman - American metal legionnaire Joe Comeau, formerly of Liege Lord, Overkill and Annihilator. In early October 2007 Daniel Olsson, now in Trail of Murder with ex-vocalist breed, decided to leave the band.

In late 2007, Christer Andersson announced a 'reuniting' of his old pre-Tad Morose project, Sefer Jezirah, with members of Morgana Lefay. As of December 2007, Peter Morén had joined Steel Attack, and Anders Modd was working with Wolf.

In late May, 2008, a replacement for Daniel Olsson was announced. Markus Albertson, former in Bloodbound got in on guitar. In June 2008, an update appeared on the band's official site that a new band logo had been done and that the band was continuing work on their forthcoming album. Bassist Anders Modd's departure to work full-time with Wolf was announced in July 2008.^[2]

On August 16, 2008, guitarist Krunt posted news on the band's official forum ^[3] that they had found a new singer and bassplayer. Ronny Hemlin of Steel Attack on vocals and former Morgana Lefay-guitarist Tommi Karppanen, now playing bass. Thus, Joe Comeau is no longer in the band. The day after, August 17, the news was up on TM's official homepage. "It just didn´t work out for us in the long run", was the reason for the loss of Comeau.

Band members[link]

Current band members[link]

• Christer 'Krunt' Andersson - guitar (1991–present)
• Ronny Hemlin - vocals (2008–present)
• Markus Albertson - guitar (2007–present)
• Tommi Karppanen - bass (2008–present)
• Peter Morén - drums (1994–present)

Former band members[link]

• Joe Comeau - vocals (2005–2008)
• Anders Modd - bass (1995–2008)
• Daniel Olsson - guitar (1998–2007)
• Urban breed - vocals (1996–2005)
• Fredrik 'Frippe' Eriksson - keyboards (1993–1998)
• Kristian 'Krille' Andrén - vocals (1991–1995)
• Per-Ola 'Rossi' Olsson - bass (1991–1995)
• Dan-Erik 'Danne' Eriksson - drums (1991–1994)
• Anders 'Wispen' Westlund - vocals (1991–1992)

Discography[link]

• Leaving the Past Behind (1993)
• Sender of Thoughts (1994)
• Paradigma (1995)
• A Mended Rhyme (1996)
• Reflections (2000, compilation album)
• Undead (2000)
• Matters of the Dark (2002)
• Modus Vivendi (2003)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Web site of Tad Morose
• Official forum