Ancient Egyptian deities:
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Memphite bull deity, fertility god, herald of Ptah. Later also the "beautiful soul" of Ptah in the form of a bull. Ramses III called him Ptah's august son who is by Ptah's side. Apis bulls were carefully selected and lived long, pampered lives.
They sough his beauty in every place of the Northland, and he was found at the temple of Shedebod, after three months, when they had gone around the regions of the delta, and every district of the Northland
2nd Serapeum Stela of Pediese
J. H. Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, Part Four, § 780
Khaemwaset, son of Ramses II, who became a famous literary magician figure, bringing offerings to Apis.
New Kingdom
Courtesy Simon Hayter
After a bull's death he merged with Osiris as Osiris-Apis (Greek Serapis). His carcass was mummified and buried in the Serapeum. The Serapeum Stela of Ahmose II records the life and death of an Apis bull:
Year 23, first month of the third season (ninth month), day 15, under the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khnemibre (Amasis), given life forever.
The god was conducted in peace to the Beautiful West, to let him assume his place in the necropolis, in the place which his majesty made for him, the like of which never was made before; after there had been done for him all that is done in the pure house (i.e. the place of embalmment).
Low, his majesty had in remembrance how Horus did for his father, Osiris, and he made a great sarcophagus of granite. behold, his majesty found it good to make it of costly stone /// all kings of all times. He made a shroud of mysterious linen of Resenet and Mehenet, to attach to him his amulets, and all his ornaments of gold and every splendid, costly stone. They were more beautiful than what was done before, for his majesty loved Apis, the Living Son, more than any (other) king.
The majesty of this god went forth to heaven in the year 23, third month of the second season (seventh month), day 6. He was born in the year 5, first month of the first season, day 7. He was installed in the house of Ptah in the second month of the third season (tenth month), day 18. The beautiful lifetime of this god was 18 years, 1 month, 6 days.
Ahmose (II)-Sineit, given satisfying life forever, made (it) for him.
J. H. Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, Part Four, § 1009-1012
Since the New Kingdom he carried the sun disk between his horns. From the Late Period on he was depicted on coffins carrying the mummy of the deceased at a trot to his grave. The Apis cult grew in importance during the Graeco-Roman Period.
Other bull deities: Mnevis, Buchis
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