In Ancient Egypt, not every deity enjoyed the grandeur of huge temples, state-sponsored cults, or legends of cosmic creation. Some gods were more intimately connected with daily life, such as Bes and Taweret, who were often called upon by households for protection. Meretseger is a goddess who occupied a unique position—worshipped by everyday individuals, yet not entirely part of home life.
Meretseger’s worship was predominantly confined to the Theban necropolis, particularly in Deir el Medina, though there are hints of her reverence existing in Elephantine, likely introduced by craftsmen from Deir el Medina assigned to various construction tasks. Known also as Dehenet-Imentet, or “The Peak of the West,” this title alludes to the mountain that towers over the Valley of the Kings, the resting place of Pharaohs, queens, and nobility. This mountain was believed to be both the dwelling place of Meretseger and a representation of her essence. The name Meretseger, meaning “She Who Loves Silence,” aptly reflects her association with the serene atmosphere of the tombs and the small community of artisans and their families who lived nearby. Walking from the Valley of the Kings to Deir el Medina imparts a feeling of solitude in an expansive landscape, a sentiment that likely resonated more deeply with the original workers as they transitioned from a lively settlement to a quiet oasis of tomb construction.
Visual Depictions of Meretseger
Although intrinsically linked to the mountain, Meretseger wasn’t typically depicted as a mountain herself. More often, she appeared as a snake or as a woman with a snake’s head, and at times even as a scorpion. The pantheon of Ancient Egypt includes numerous snake deities, where male snake representations can embody dual roles—both benevolent and malevolent—typically residing in the Duat, the underworld. In contrast, female snakes, especially cobras, were esteemed as maternal protectors, manifesting more frequently in the realm of the living. For example, the uraeus worn by Pharaohs symbolizes the protective nature of the goddess Wadjet. As such, Meretseger played a protective role over the entire Theban necropolis, with her naturalistic attributes—snakes and scorpions—being the creatures native to her arid surroundings, making them fitting symbols for her.
Throughout the height of her worship, numerous stelae and ostraca were established in her honor at Deir el Medina. Unlike many aspects of Ancient Egyptian religion, which often emphasized knowledge and the recitation of the correct spells to warrant a favorable afterlife, the inscriptions dedicated to Meretseger reveal a more personal acknowledgment of the divine. They showcase expressions of humility and pleas for the goddess’s mercy. Through these stelae, we learn that Meretseger was perceived as a deity capable of punishing wrongdoings, evidenced by the blinding of offenders or inflicting venomous bites. Conversely, she could offer forgiveness and restoration. One notable stele, now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin, was inscribed by the affluent craftsman Neferabu. It reflects his disorientation between right and wrong, leading to his punishment of being “in her hand by day as by night.” His eventual repentance elicited her mercy, as captured in his words: “She was merciful to me, having made me see her hand. She returned to me appeased, she made my malady forgotten.”
Meretseger’s cult was not only spatially confined to a specific region but also chronologically limited. Her veneration is linked specifically to the active period of the Valley of the Kings as a cemetery, with no references to her prior to the New Kingdom. With the cessation of tomb construction and the migration of craftsmen away from Deir el Medina, worship of Meretseger dwindled, leaving her once more in the silence she cherished—until the attention of treasure seekers, tourists, and archaeologists rekindled interest in her domain.
