Ammut is a creature that is part crocodile, lion or leopard, and hippopotamus. She is known as the Devourer of the Dead because she devours the souls and hearts of those who are found unworthy on Ma’at’s scales of justice.
Ammut was a creature, sometimes called a goddess, that sat at the right hand of Osiris in front of Ma’at’s scales of justice. Anubis, the god of death, would escort souls to the scales for their judgment. Ma’at would place the deceased’s heart on a scale, and balance it with an ostrich feather. If the heart was too heavy, it was too full of impurities to move on into Duat, the Egyptian underworld. Ammut would eat the heart, and the soul of the deceased was doomed to wander restlessly throughout eternity, never finding peace or rest.
Ammut was a frightful creature, with the head of a crocodile, the forequarters of a lion or a leopard, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. She was sometimes called the Protector of Osiris, god of the underworld, because she was so frightening and she was rarely ever not by his side.
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Parents
Unknown
Domain
Underworld
Symbols
Ma’at’s Scales of Justice
Notable Myths
- Ma’at’s Scales of Justice
- Anubis
- Protector of Osiris
How Tos about Ammut: Egyptian Goddess
How to create an interactive classroom activity about Ammut and Ancient Egyptian mythology
Introduce Ammut with a captivating story. Begin your lesson by sharing the myth of Ammut’s role in the weighing of the heart ceremony. This sparks students’ curiosity and sets the stage for deeper learning.
Encourage students to research Ammut’s symbolism.
Assign small groups to explore Ammut’s features and significance. Have each group discuss how Ammut’s appearance reflects Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. This helps students practice critical thinking and teamwork.
Guide students in creating illustrated fact cards.
Ask students to draw Ammut and list three important facts. Encourage creativity by letting them use colored pencils or digital tools. Display the cards to reinforce visual learning and pride in their work.
Facilitate a classroom discussion comparing Ammut to mythical creatures from other cultures.
Lead students in identifying similarities and differences. Connect Ammut to creatures in Greek or Norse mythology to broaden cultural understanding. This makes the topic relevant and memorable.
Assess understanding with a creative writing prompt.
Invite students to write a short story set in Ancient Egypt featuring Ammut. Encourage them to imagine what might happen during the weighing of the heart. This fosters engagement and allows you to evaluate comprehension.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ammut: Egyptian Goddess
Who is Ammut in ancient Egyptian mythology?
Ammut is a creature from ancient Egyptian mythology known as the 'Devourer of the Dead.' She played a role in the afterlife, consuming the hearts of those judged unworthy during the weighing of the heart ceremony.
What does Ammut look like?
Ammut is often depicted as a hybrid animal with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, combining traits of Egypt’s most fearsome creatures.
What role did Ammut have in the ancient Egyptian afterlife?
Ammut served as a guardian in the Hall of Ma’at, where she would eat the hearts of people who failed the test of truth, preventing them from entering the afterlife. This made her a symbol of divine justice and punishment.
Why was Ammut feared by ancient Egyptians?
Ammut was feared because she represented the final fate of souls deemed unworthy. Being devoured by Ammut meant complete annihilation, with no hope for an eternal afterlife.
How is Ammut different from other Egyptian gods and goddesses?
Ammut is unique because she is not worshipped like other gods but serves as a supernatural enforcer of moral order, punishing wrongdoers instead of granting blessings.
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