| Amesemi | |
|---|---|
Nubian Goddess of the Moon and Protection | |
 | |
| Symbol | Crescent moon, Falcon |
| Consort | Apedemak |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Selene |
| Roman | Luna,Juno |
| Bakongo | Nzambici |
| Phrygian | Men |
| Igbo | Ala |
| Yoruba | Yemọja |
Amesemi is aKushite protective goddess and wife ofApedemak, the lion-god.[1] She was represented with a crown shaped as afalcon, or with acrescent moon on her head on top of which a falcon was standing. The clothing that Amesemi is seen wearing is a robe that is made from cloth and is worn over her undergarments. She is often seen wearing a short necklace with large beads. She is also depicted holding a second set of hands with her.
In the north-front reliefs of the Lion Temple inNaqa she appears together withIsis,Mut,Hathor andSatet. Compared to the goddesses ofancient Egyptian origin Amesemi appears to be much more corpulent, which is typical for the representation of women inMeroe.[2] On stelae in the temple ofAmun in Naqa she is shown together with theKandakeAmanishakheto.[3]
The oldest mention of Amesemi comes fromMusawwarat es Sufra, from the late third century BCE. In Musawwarat es Sufra, where she is mentioned six times in the Lion Temple.[4] In these images, she is beside her husbandApedemak.[4] On the exterior north wall, she is seen wearing a dress that is different from later illustration of her as her appearance was not yet standardised.[4] The accompanying inscription reads "'Jmsm – Amesemi."[4] Amesemi is also found in the Great Enclosure, following and touching her husband's shoulder.[4]
In the Temple of Amun Naqa 200, Amesemi is in a "triadic group on the exterior west wall. She follows a ram-headed deity presumably to be identified as Amun-Apedemak."[5]
Temple F in the ancient town ofNaqa, also known as Naga, has the earliest portrayals of Amesmi in Naga.[6] These depictions were made between 170 and 150 BCE. She is depicted at the southern end of the interior south-east wall. She is standing behind an enthroned Apedemak and is touching his head.
In the Lion Temple of Naga, she is depicted at least two times and there is an image of her on the exterior north wall which contains an inscription which translates to "Oh Amesemi, who is in [.]mami[.], may she give them life, oh Amesemi."[5]
In the Great Amun Temple Naga, the goddess is found in thehypostyle.[5] In this image,Amanitore is seen adoring the goddess. There are not any other depictions of Amesemi in the Great Amun Temple in Naga but it is possible that there were paintings of the goddess during the use of this temple.
In the smaller temple of Amun, Amesemi is illustrated on the exterior west wall with her husband.[5] She appears here a second time, but this time she is with who is assumed to beAmun-Apedemak.[5] Amesemi appears in a few other places in this site including many different stelae found.[7]
Amesemi is also found at the Amun Temple of Amara, offered a bowl by Prince Sorakarora.[citation needed] She is portrayed in the kiosk ofNatakamani andAmanitore, where she is behind the Lion God.[citation needed] Amesemi was also found depicted in smaller objects, including a seal impression alongside her husband, and different types of jewelry such as beads, armlets and ring plates.[citation needed]
