So ancient that he is never found alone, but always in association with other deities, Amon is a pre-Dynastic god often linked to Ra. His name may be interpreted as “hidden.” As Amon-Ra he was called the “king of the gods, creator of the universe, lord of Karnak, and father of the Pharaohs.” He was the great god of Thebes and became the Supreme deity in Egypt during the eighteenth Dynasty (2nd century BCE). His wife is Mut and his son is Khons.His cult animal is the ram and he was sometimes depicted with its head. The ape, a lion with its head erect, a frog-headed man accompanied by Ament, a serpent-headed man accompanied by a cat-headed woman, and a god-man bearing two plumes on his head and carrying the royal scepter in one hand and the ankh in the other are all emblematic of this deity. His image was often colored blue, the symbol of invisibility.
Amon was the most famous oracle of Egypt, achieving great renown. He was consulted by warriors, who were promised victory and great spoils. Criminals were identified by his oracle, and he was consulted on affairs of state. The image of the god would nod its head to offer assent to an expressed wish, and a suitable leader might be indicated if the statue extended its arm toward the individual.
The first reference to Amon or Amen occurs in the pyramid of King Unas of the Fifth Dynasty where he and his consort where associated with Nu, the “fathers and mothers” who were in “the deep” at the beginning. The pharaohs Thutmosis III and Amenhotep III called themselves “sons of Amon” and claimed their martial victories were bestowed upon them by their patron god. Amenhotep’s son Akhenaten forbid the worship of Amen, declaring Aten as the true god. Amon was reinstated however during the reign of Tutankhamon in 1362 BCE. His worship eventually spread as far as Ethiopia and Libya.