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Ancient Egyptian Medical Priests

The document discusses the role of the "wab-priest" of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. The wab-priest had skills in medical diagnosis through observing blood circulation and was responsible for the bull stables as a veterinarian. However, the wab-priest also had to maintain purity to interact with Sekhmet safely, as she had power over both health and disease. Increased demand for the wab-priest's medical expertise from private individuals led to more wab-priests serving as specialists.

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122 views1 page

Ancient Egyptian Medical Priests

The document discusses the role of the "wab-priest" of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet. The wab-priest had skills in medical diagnosis through observing blood circulation and was responsible for the bull stables as a veterinarian. However, the wab-priest also had to maintain purity to interact with Sekhmet safely, as she had power over both health and disease. Increased demand for the wab-priest's medical expertise from private individuals led to more wab-priests serving as specialists.

Uploaded by

MitchellS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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3rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PHARMACY AND MEDICINE IN ANCIENT EGYPT

THE PURE PRIEST OF SEKHMET,


BETWEEN HEALTH AND DISEASE

N. Torras Benezet
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

[email protected]

Beyond his particular ability and knowledge in calming the goddess Sekhmet, the wab-
priest had other functions and abilities. We found him to be an expert in medical diagnosis
through the observation of blood circulation and as the veterinarian responsible for the
bull stables in the temples. He was the only one able to distinguish the living hypostases of

However, the wab-priest of Sekhmet presented a double feature in this area: he spread
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alent goddess he served. Indeed, holding life and death in his hand, this goddess had the
privilege of preserving life but also the power to send calamities. The wab-priest could
interact with Sekhmet since his purity immunized him from the dangerous effect of the

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private individuals- led to an increase in the number of wab-priests whose services as
specialists were requested.

Keywords: Sekhmet, priests, medical diagnosis, purity, Apis, veterinary.

1st Session
Medicine in Ancient Egypt

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