Anhur, also referred to as Onuris in Greek nomenclature, was an ancient Egyptian deity representing war and hunting. Hailing from This, located in the Thinite region near Abydos, he played the pivotal role of defending his father, Ra, the sun god, against foes, earning him the title “slayer of enemies.” His duties often included standing at the forefront of Ra’s barque to combat Apep, the embodiment of chaos and evil. Anhur not only symbolized the might of the Egyptian military and the embodiment of royal warriors, but he also encapsulated human creativity, showcasing a more dynamic and less violent aspect of divinity. Celebrations in honor of Anhur featured spirited mock battles, where priests and civilians would engage in playful duels using sticks.
His name can be interpreted as “he who leads back the distant one,” though an alternate interpretation is “Sky Bearer.” This nomenclature is linked to a tale whereby the “Eye of Ra,” often thought to be his daughter and possibly identified as Hathor, Sekhmet, Tefnut, Mut, or Bast, left Egypt, transforming into a fearsome lioness and journeying to Nubia. When Ra yearned for her return, he dispatched an envoy to retrieve her, a narrative that also features the great hunter and the lioness goddess Menhet. Upon the hunter’s success in persuading her to come back, he was awarded the title Anhur and the privilege to wed the goddess. Another version of the myth credits Shu, accompanied by Thoth, for enticing Tefnut’s return from Nubia.
Visually, Anhur is typically portrayed as a regal figure striding confidently, adorned with a long kilt featuring intricate feather-like designs, a short wig with a uraeus (a serpent symbol), and a distinctive crown made of four elongated feathers. In many depictions, he wields a spear above his head, earning him the moniker “the lord of lances,” symbolizing power and prowess in battle. He often carries a length of rope in his left hand, symbolizing his role in retrieving the “Eye of Ra.” While there are instances where he appears without his spear or rope, his hands frequently reflect the posture of carrying these items.
Anhur’s lineage is interesting as he is seen both as a son of Ra and Hathor. His martial associations connected him with other war deities, notably Montu from Thebes and Sopdu. The Greek and Roman cultures linked Anhur with Ares, the God of War. Historical evidence shows Emperor Tiberius depicted with Anhur’s crown on the temple walls at Kom Ombo, a site dedicated to Sobek and Horus.
Although Anhur originated in This, his primary worship hub was found in Sebennytos, now known as modern Samannud, in the Nile Delta, where he was recognized as a version of the air god Shu. Over time, Anhur flourished in popularity during the New Kingdom period; he became synonymous with the composite warrior deity Horus-Anhur, regarded as a protector in combat scenarios. In Nubia, Horus-Anhur was known as Ary-hes-nefer, which translates to “Horus of the beautiful house,” and was believed to be wed to the goddess Isis, thus establishing a connection to Osiris. The Pharaohs of the Thirtieth Dynasty, Nectanebo I and II, commissioned temples for Anhur, particularly one named Per-shu, or “house of Shu.” In later periods, Ptolemy IV Philopator and Ptolemy V Epiphanes also constructed a temple for Ary-hes-nefer on Philae Island, adjacent to the temple of Isis. Numerous silver and bronze amulets attributed to Anhur have been uncovered in various locations across Egypt.
