Anubis was a funerary god. His task came to be holding the scales on which the heart was weighed.

If the heart was lighter than a feather, the dead would be led by Anubis to Osiris. If heavier, the soul would be destroyed. Parents of Anubis:

Anubis is referred to as the child of Nephthys and Set or Osiris. Alternative Names of Anubis:

Anubis may also have been known as Ienpw, Anpu, Anup, and Wip. Appearance of Anubis:

Anubis is the jackal-headed god of Egypt. His head may actually be a mixture of dog and jackal, either one of which could have been found at the edge of deserts by the cemeteries. Antiquity of Anubis:

The cult of Anubis is very ancient, probably pre-dating that of Osiris. In parts of Egypt, Anubis may have been more important than Osiris. See: Anubis. As well as being ancient, the cult of Anubis lasted a long time, continuing into the second century A.D., and is a feature in the Golden Ass, written by the Roman author Apuleius.