This artifact is a seemingly bronze ππ€ππ¦ statue ππ ±ππΎ of an Apis Bull πππͺπ that is dated to either the Late Period or the Ptolemaic Period (c. 664 – 200 B.C.E.). The worship πΌπΏπ’ of the Apis Bull πππͺπ can actually be traced back to as early as the First Dynasty!Β
The Apis Bull πππͺπ was associated with fertility and rebirth ππΏπ ± and was mostly worshipped πΌπΏπ’ in Memphis π ππ€πππ΄π near the Ptah πͺπππ± Temple πππ. People would travel from various locations to the temple πππ just to worship πΌπΏπ’ the Apis Bull πππͺπ, and the mother π π of the Apis Bull πππͺπ.
While Hathor π‘ is probably the most famous of the cow π€ππππ deities πΉπΉπΉ, the Apis Bull πππͺπ was also very widely worshipped πΌπΏπ’ and represented eternity ππ³πand the harmonious balance of the whole universe. The Apis Bull πππͺπ was usually associated with the pharaoh ππ» (hence why a lot of pharaohs ππ»π¦ were referred to as the βstrong bull π‘πβ) were used to represent the strength ππππ and vitality of the pharaoh ππ».
Usually a live bull ππππ was used to be worshipped, and the bull ππππ needed to have special markings on it such as a triangle shape on its forehead, or patches that represented wings π§π³πππ¦ on its body. When the bull ππππ that was being worshipped πΌπΏπ’ as the Apis Bull πππͺπ died, it was embalmed π΄π§ππ ±π and buried elaborately. A new bull ππππ would then take its place.
One of the easiest ways to recognize the Apis Bull πππͺπ in statuary is by looking for the sun disc π³ on its head, and the elaborate cloth that is decorating the back of its body. You can easily see the details of this decorated cloth on this statue ππ ±ππΎ at the MET! See if you can spot the triangle on his forehead!
