Have you seen “Moon Knight” yet? The Marvel Comics character is currently bringing Egyptian mythology to the forefront of popular culture and we have thoughts.⁣ The world of Egyptian gods is complex; as in the Greek and Roman pantheons, the Egyptians projected human relationships and characteristics onto their gods; they could love, bicker with and betray one another, and even perish, just like the people who worshipped them. Egyptian deities were also heavily anthropomorphized and commonly featured animal heads and body parts, as realized on these gems.⁣ The first carnelian intaglio (41.160.643) shows Anubis—the god of death, mummification, the afterlife, and tombs—portrayed as a canine or a man with a canine head. In Roman culture, he was associated with Pluto (Hades) of the underworld. Here he is holding a tall palm frond in his left hand and a caduceus can be perceived over his shoulder, both common attributes of Anubis. The caduceus is also associated with Mercury (Hermes) the god of commerce, communication, and guide for the souls to the underworld. Admittedly, his head bears more resemblance to a horse than a dog, although it is unknown if this was intentional or has any significance.⁣ ⁣ On the hematite intaglio (10.130.1393) Osiris—god of fertility, agriculture, the dead, and resurrection—is illustrated as a mummy astride a lion. Behind him stands Anubis, and on either side of him, a winged goddess fans Osiris. He was canonically considered to be the first mummy, after his brother Set chopped him up, and his wife Isis wrapped him up, bringing him back to life. Traditionally, he is depicted with green skin, the beard of a pharaoh, his legs wrapped like a mummy, wearing a crown, and holding a crook and flail, symbols of kingship and abundant agriculture. ⁣ #GreekRoman #TheMet #AncientEgyptianGods #Mythology #Anubis #Osiris #Isis #Mummy #Caduceus #Gemstones #Underworld