Menhit “Goddess of Warfare” was originally a Nubian war goddess in ancient Egyptian religion. Her name depicts a warrior status, as it means (she who) massacres. Due to the aggressive attributes possessed by and hunting methods used by lionesses, most things connected to warfare in Egypt were depicted as leonine, and Menhit was no exception, being depicted as a lioness-goddess. She also was believed to advance ahead of the Egyptian armies and cut down their enemies with fiery arrows, similar to other war deities She was less known to the people as a crown goddess and was one of the goddesses who represented the protective uraeus on royal crowns. In the 3rd Nome of Upper Egypt, particularly at Esna, Menhit was said to be the wife of Khnum and the mother of Heka. She was also known to be the mother of Shu. She was also worshipped in Lower Egypt, where she was linked with the goddesses Wadjet and Neith. She became identified with another lioness goddess, Sekhmet.

Overview

Menhit was a solar deity of war who was seen offering the brow of Ra, who came from Nubia and was depicted as a roaring lioness that was associated with the moon. She stood as a symbol for the Eye of Ra’s vengeful side. She was worshipped in the divine lands of Abydos in her central cult and in the delta region as a protective Egyptian goddess with Wadjet and Neith. She was believed to be the embodiment of the eyes of Ra who was hunted and returned by Onuris.