Sobek, Egyptian God of the Nile River - Essay Example

To protect themselves from the crocodiles, the people prayed to Sobek to protect them from the crocodiles and other dangers of the Nile River. Sobek is also known as the god of the crocodiles. The people pray to Sobek to protect them as they travel towards the Nile river to fetch drinking water. As time went on, Sobek’s powers included other matters, not only protecting the people from the sudden deadly attacks of the crocodiles. Egyptian Mythology states that Sobek, not another popular god, Nun, created the world.

Sobek was depicted as the god who rose from within the River Nile to take the form of a man having a distinct crocodile shape. Specifically, the people of the Fayoum (Arsinoite nome), Kom Ombo, and parts of Thebes worshipped the crocodile god Sobek. The numerous temples were erected to pay religious homage to Sobek. The people prayed to Sobek to give them plentiful harvest. The farm lands were dependent on the Nile River. The Nile River’s drought would reduce the Egyptian Nile River lines’ farm crop outputs.

The people pray to Sobek to keep the Nile River flowing. With the Nile River’s flowing, the farm lands have a steady supply of irrigation water. In the temples, the priests would bring a live crocodile into the temple. The people would take care of the crocodile’s every need until its death. After the crocodile’s death, the crocodile is mummified. . Sobek is described as holding an ankh. The ankh is the symbol of Sobek’s power to destroy or reverse evil acts. In addition, the ankh was described as having the power to bend knives in order to protect the king from life-threatening danger.

Sobek was described as having the speed and strength of a crocodile. Sobek was not selfish. Sobek would readily ask for the help of other gods and goddesses to protect the pharaoh and his people from imminent dangers. (Remler 180) Further, Pat Rember’s research indicated Sobek was worshipped as the Nile River god in Egypt. Specifically, the Crocodilopolis community in Fayoum, Egypt, pray to Sobek god to take care of the safety. Likewise, the people have set up many temples or shrines honoring their crocodile god, Sobek.

Consequently, the famous Greek writer, Herodotus, insists that some Egyptian communities regarded the crocodiles as sacred animals. The people pampered the crocodiles. The crocodiles were fed well in their special pools. The legs of the crocodiles are adorned with jewels. The crocodiles are also adorned with gold earrings. However, the people from other locations hunt and kill the crocodiles. Furthermore, the 12th Century Egyptian kings promoted Sobek. Sobek was catapulted from a mere minor god to a patron god of the Egyptian kings.

Sobek was described as a closely related to sun god RE. In fact, Sobek also had the name Sobek-RE. Sobek is shown as the male child of Neith, the warrior goddess. The Egyptian people regard Sobek as a gentle god, even when he has a vicious crocodile nature. Sobek, like most Egyptian gods, prefer eating bread and drinking cool water. The gods, especially Sobek, disdain eating large quantities of meat, especially roasted meat. Sobek is often