Anhur, also known as Onuris in Greek, is an ancient Egyptian deity associated with warfare and hunting. Hailing from This, located in the Thinite region close to Abydos, he was a protector and defender of his father, Ra, the sun god, earning him the moniker “slayer of enemies.” Anhur played a crucial role in safeguarding Ra from the serpent deity Apep and was revered as a patron of the Egyptian military, embodying the essence of royal warriors. He also represented human creativity, showcasing a multifaceted nature that didn’t always lean towards violence. Celebrations in his honor included lively mock battles, where priests and citizens engaged in playful skirmishes using sticks.
The name Anhur translates to “he who leads back the distant one,” though it can also be interpreted as “Sky Bearer.” This nomenclature reflects a myth in which Ra’s daughter, known as the “Eye of Ra,” left Egypt and transformed into a fierce lioness in Nubia. In his longing for her return, Ra dispatched an envoy who eventually succeeded in bringing her back—this narrative, also associated with the great hunter and the goddess Menhet, ushered in Anhur’s identity and union with the goddess.
Iconographically, Anhur is characterized as a regal figure donned in a long kilt featuring a feather-like design, complemented by a short wig adorned with the uraeus (a sacred serpent) along with a crown of four tall feathers. In several images, he is depicted brandishing a spear or lance, thus acquiring the title “the lord of lances,” as he raises this weapon overhead, symbolizing power and strike. His left hand typically holds a length of rope, alluding to his mission of retrieving the “Eye of Ra” back to Egypt. Occasionally, he might appear devoid of these items, yet his posture often suggests their presence.
He is recognized as a son of Ra and is sometimes considered the offspring of Hathor. Anhur shares a strong affiliation with other deities like Montu and Sopdu, paralleling Ares from Greek mythology, as acknowledged by both the Romans and Greeks. Emperor Tiberius was known to be depicted wearing the crown of Anhur within the temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus.
Though his roots lie in This, Anhur’s primary veneration was centered in Sebennytos (modern Samannud) in the Nile Delta, where he is regarded as an aspect of the air god Shu. As his significance grew, he assimilated characteristics of the less-worshiped wind deity, Shu, becoming increasingly popular during the New Kingdom. This led to the emergence of the composite deity Horus-Anhur, symbolizing an ideal warrior and a protector during combat. The Nubian tradition named this composite deity Ary-hes-nefer, interpreted to mean “Horus of the beautiful house,” suggesting a marital bond with Isis, thus linking him to Osiris.
The Pharaohs Nectanebo I and II from the Thirtieth Dynasty erected a temple called Per-shu, meaning “house of Shu,” which likely succeeded an earlier shrine at the site. The Ptolemaic rulers, including Ptolemy IV Philopator and Ptolemy V Epiphanes, also constructed a temple dedicated to Ary-hes-nefer on Philae Island, adjacent to the temple of Isis. Numerous silver and bronze amulets representing Anhur have surfaced across ancient Egypt.
