Hermanubis is a God who combines aspects of the Hellenic deity Hermes with Kemetic deity Anubis. Hermes and Anubis’s similar responsibilities (both being conductor of the soul, or psychopomps, who lead souls to the afterlife) led to the discovery of Hermanubis, who acted as an assimilation of Anubis into the Hellenic pantheon. Hermanubis represents the Egyptian priesthood, engaged in the investigation of truth. He is the son of the deities Isis and Serapis. The worship of Hermanubis was popular during the Roman era of Egypt.

Plutarch cites the name as a designation of Anubis in his underworldly aspect, while Porphyry refers to Hermanubis as “σύνθετος,” meaning “composite” and “μιξέλλην,” meaning “half-Greek.”

 

Iconography

Hermanubis is typically depicted as having a human body and jackal head, with the sacred caduceus. Sometimes a solar disk is depicted on His head. At times He is also depicted wearing a soldiers armour, but more common are priestly garbs.

 

Bibliography

Porphyry, De imaginibus fr. 8, p. 18. 1–2 Bidez

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. “Anubis.” Encyclopædia Britannica. January 24, 2017. Accessed October 18, 2017. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Anubis.