Sobek: The Crocodile God

The Lord of the River

Sobek is the Egyptian god of crocodiles, power, and military prowess. He is the living spirit of the Nile. Depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile (or a full giant crocodile wearing a crown), he represents the raw, animalistic vitality of nature. When the Nile flooded, depositing fertile black mud, the Egyptians said it was the "Sweat of Sobek." He brings life, but he also brings sudden death from the water.

The Eater of Hearts

Sobek is aggressive. Egyptian texts refer to him as "He who eats while he creates." He is a patron of the army because of his ferocity. Unlike more civilized gods, Sobek has no qualms about violence. In the Book of the Dead, he assists in protecting the dead, but only if they respect him.

The Sacred Crocodiles

In the city of Crocodilopolis (Arsinoe), Sobek was worshipped in a terrifying way. Priests kept a massive sacred crocodile named Petsuchos (Son of Sobek) in a temple pool. They adorned the beast with gold jewelry and hand-fed it meat and wine. Pilgrims drank water from the pool for blessings. When the sacred crocodile died, it was mummified with royal honors, and a new one was chosen.

The Uneasy Truce

The Egyptians feared Sobek, but they needed him. You cannot have crops without the river. You cannot have the river without the crocodile. It is a relationship of respect based on fear.

The Final Warning

The Nile is murky. If you are washing clothes on the bank and a log drifts against the current, remember: it is not a log, so get out.