The solar and lunar aspects of god Mandulis the child during the Græco-Roman period

Abstract EN

Mandulis was a local Nubian solar deity, and Lower Nubian region was under his domain.

He was venerated throughout this region, especially at Kalha (The ancient town Talmis)where the temple of Kalha was built in his honor, in addition to the small temple of Ajûala (Abu Hor).

The research deals with the dual function of Mandulis as a solar and lunar deity.

This function is revealed through his iconography in the temple of Kalha.

The decoration of this temple particularly the reliefs of the sanctuary confirms the cyclical aspect of solar and lunar rebirths and the stability of the royal and divine power of god Mandulis.

Furthermore, the dual function of Mandulis will be analyzed in the context of the textual evidence, as well as his crowns and attributes.

Mandulis became a solar deity through two forms; Mandulis the Elder and Mandulis the Child.

The so-called “ Vision of Mandulis” threw the light on the solar aspect of Mandulis the Elder.

The inscription of a Ptolemaic stela from Ajûala temple describes Mandulis the Child as; “coming forth upon the east as a beautiful prince”.

In Kalha temple, Mandulis the Child was depicted wearing the HmHm crown and squatting over a lotus flower.

On the other hand, and in the same temple, Mandulis is represented in a juvenile lunar form, wearing the full moon, the crescent over a skull-cap and the side-lock of hair like god Khonsu the Child.

This iconography of Mandulis is found in three scenes in Kalha temple.