Sobek

SOBEK

Sobek, Sobek (in Egyptian: Sbk) or Suco (in classical Greek: Σούχος; Romaniz.: Soúchos; in Latin: Suchus) is a deity of Ancient Egypt, being represented as a crocodile (placed on an altar or sanctuary) or as a man with a crocodile's head, often, in this case, wearing a crown with two large feathers, the solar disk and one or more ureus (sacred serpents). Birth: Adored in Faiyum Relationship: Seti/Kenubis and Neith Spouse: Renenutete or Mesquenete

BIOGRAPHY

There were two main centers of worship in Ancient Egypt: Faiyum and Kom Ombo. Faiyum, formerly Shejete, became known as Crocodilopolis ("crocodile city" in Greek, next to the Medina of Faiyum), next to the lake of the same name to the west of the Nile, in a region where these reptiles were extremely abundant in Pharaonic Egypt. As they were in Kom Ombo and throughout Upper Egypt, several sanctuaries dedicated to the cult of Sobek emerged. In addition to these two main centers, we should also remember Esna, Gebeleim and Jabal Silsila. These temples often had a tank with sacred crocodiles attached, as well as mummifications of them, as can still be seen today in Kom Ombo, for example. Sobek was linked to the cult of the River Nile, the deification of water, and therefore had its own clergy and rituals. His cult was particularly active and predominant in the 12th and 13th dynasties, during the transition from the Middle Kingdom to the Second Intermediate Period, around the 18th and 17th centuries BC, with several pharaohs having onomastics dedicated to the god, such as Sobekhotep III and IV (13th dynasty, c. 1795-c. 1650 BC) or Sobek-neferu. Curiously, Sobekhotep means, in ancient Egyptian, "Sobek is pleased" or Sobek-neferu, "Sobek is beautiful". Sobek was assimilated to Amun and Re (Sobek-Ra) from the Middle Kingdom onwards, which reveals his growing cult and importance in the Egyptian pantheon and in the most relevant cults in the coeval Egyptian civilization. Even in the Ptolemaic period (332-30 BC) the tradition of his cult was maintained, assimilating Sobek to the Greek sun god Helios. It is worth mentioning that it was during this period of Hellenic dynasties in Egypt that several temples dedicated to Sobek were built, or other old ones were improved, as happened in Kom Ombo, built in the New Kingdom but renovated between 221 and 205 BC, by Ptolemy IV Philopator.

BIOGRAPHY

From a religious point of view, Sobek was worshipped for his powers of fertility (as he represented a water animal, from the Nile, and hence the creation of Egypt and the world) and protection against pregnancy, although he was also related to death and burial, as he was a scavenger. His negative side, however, was associated with Seth, Osiris' traitorous brother and murderer. Some Egyptians believed that Sobek, in the form of a crocodile, was the devourer of Osiris' heart, linking the reptile god to an idea of ​​terror and annihilation. But just as the Sun rose from the earth every day and rose into the sky, the Egyptians said, the crocodile also rose from the water every day, thus associating Sobek with the primordial god Re, as well as with the resurrected Osiris.

REPRESENTATION

Sobek was often depicted as a crocodile or as a man with a crocodile's head, often wearing a crown.

FUNCTIONS

He was considered a god of fertility, protector of the waters of the Nile and associated with death and burial.

WORSHIP

The cult of Sobek was particularly strong in the 12th and 13th dynasties and was common in the Faiyum region.

LEGENDS

Sobek is frequently mentioned in legends and tales related to Ancient Egypt, such as in "The Son of Sobek", a short story by Rick Riordan.

IMPORTANCE

His association with the Nile River, the source of life for Egypt, gave Sobek a role of great importance in the Egyptian pantheon.