Montu

Montu (also spelled Monthu or Montju) was an ancient Egyptian deity associated with war, hunting, and the falcon. He was primarily worshipped in Upper Egypt, particularly in the region of Thebes, where he was considered the patron deity of the city. Montu was often depicted as a man with the head of a falcon, symbolizing his connection to the sky and his role as a protector. In ancient Egyptian, his name is transliterated as mnṯw, which is often translated to Hebrew as מנטו. In Coptic, an ancient Egyptian language, his name is rendered as ⲙⲟⲩⲛⲧⲉ. Montu was particularly revered during the Middle Kingdom period, and his cult was closely tied to the royal family, who saw him as a symbol of their power and authority. Temples dedicated to Montu were often adorned with scenes of battle and hunting, reflecting his martial nature. His consort was often depicted as the goddess Tenenet, and their son was the deity Horus the Elder.