{"id":854,"date":"2025-03-21T14:49:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T13:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shesmou.com\/?page_id=854"},"modified":"2026-01-02T17:56:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T16:56:44","slug":"egyptian-divinity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shesmou.com\/en\/egyptian-divinity\/","title":{"rendered":"Egyptian divinity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shesmou : Egyptian divinity<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Shesmou: Historical and archeological study of an Egyptian god<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cr\u00e9ation<\/figure>
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Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shesmou (also written Chesmou, Shesmu, Schesmu, Shezmou, Schezemu, Schesemu, Shesemu, Sezmu, Sesmu ou \u0160ezmu) is a divinity from Ancient Egypt, whose role and representation evolve over millennia of Egyptian civilization. This study aims to present the historical and archeological aspects of this complex deity,drawing on available textual, iconographical and archeological available sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. First attestations and historical development<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Predynastic era and Ancient Empire<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first mentions of Shesmu date back to the Ancient Empire (2700-2200 BC), especially in Pyramid texts, which are the most ancient corpus of egyptians religious texts. The 403 formula from Pyramids texts (Pyr. \u00a7\u00a7 697-699) refers to Shesmu as a deity associated with press houses and to the blood of the enemies from late pharaoh. (Faulkner, 1969).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

According to egyptolog Herman te Velde (1977), Shesmu was probably a local deity whose cult developed in the Memphis area, one of the oldest capitals of Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Middle Empire and New Empire<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During the Middle Empire (2033 – 1786 BC), Shesmu appears in the Coffin texts, where its deity associated with perfumes and sacred oils role is more developed. The formula 941 of Coffin texts mentioned him as \u201cLord of perfumed oils\u201d (Barguet, 1986).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the New Empire (1550 – 1069 BC), references to Shesmu appear in Book of Death (chapter 17) and in various royal funerary texts, notably in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings (Hornung, 1999).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late Period and Ptolemaic Kingdom<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the Late Period (664-332 BC) and during the Ptolemaic Kingdom (332-30 av. J.-C.), Shesmu is mentioned in texts of the temples, like in Denderah and Edfou.  est mentionn\u00e9 dans les textes des temples, particuli\u00e8rement \u00e0 Dend\u00e9rah et \u00e0 Edfou. The temple of Edfu contains inscriptions describing the rituals of preparing sacred oils under the protection of Shesmu (Chassinat, 1928).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Nature and functions of the deity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Master of the press house<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shesmu’s primary function is that of “Master of the press.” This appellation, attested in numerous religious texts, designates him as the deity presiding over the extraction of grape juice for the production of wine, but also over the extraction of vegetable oils used in the manufacture of sacred perfumes and ointments.(Manniche, 1999).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deity of perfumes and sacred oils<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to Lise Manniche (1999) in her book Sacred Luxuries: Fragrance, Aromatherapy, and Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt<\/em>, Shesmu was revered as the protector of the processes of extracting plant essences. The oils produced under his protection were used for :<\/p>\n\n\n\n