| The temples of
the Ptolemaic and Roman Period often have cult shrines
nearby which are described at birth houses. They are
usually dedicated to the worship of the marriage between
Amun, Hathor and the birth of their divine son Ihy. Other sources report the son's name as Harsomtus. Both Harsomtus and Ihy are Horus, who unites the two lands. This is slightly confusing as Isis is also the mother of Horus by Osiris. Therefore, Isis and Hathor must be two aspects of one goddess, or maybe two aspects of Horus with different parents. Isis is also reported to be the mother of Harpokrates (Greek name for a youthful Horus). Taschen's World Architecture: Egypt from Prehistory to the Romans by Dietrich Wildung covers all contingencies by describing the Dendera birth house as dedicated to Ihy, in one section, and Harsomtus, in another. All of this confusion may result from the Romans trying to form a single pantheon of gods and goddesses to be worshiped at all locations. The Egyptians quite happily existed in the knowledge that the gods were tied to localities, such as the Theban triad of Amun, Mut and Khons. If an Egyptian went to another locality, he accepted that Amun might be linked to another wife and child. |
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Ihy, Harsomtus, or
Harpokrates, the divine son. Many guide books gloss over the purpose and dedication of the birth houses, presumably because the explanation is not clear cut. At Dendera, the birth house is dedicated to cult worship of the marriage of Amun and Hathor and the birth of their divine son (Harsomtus or Ihy). |
