Ancient Man and His First Civilizations

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The Horus Cippus

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Painted wooden cippus of Horus standing on crocodiles 600 B.C.


A Cippus was a type of stela that supposedly healed and protected against snake bites and scorpion stings. It was thought that water poured over the Cippus gained healing properties. This Cippi is surmounted by the head of the household god Bes, who protected familys from malign forces. Cippi typically show the infant Horus standing on crocodiles and holding dangerous animals such as snakes, scorpions and lions in his hands.