hamadryas baboon

[ham-uh-drahy-uhs]

noun

1. a baboon, Papio (Comopithecus ) hamadryas, of Ethiopia, the male of which has a mantle of long, dark hair about the head and shoulders: held sacred by the ancient Egyptians.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamadryas baboon¹

1930–35; < New Latin hamadryas the specific epithet ( hamadryad )

Example Sentences

Thoth, the god of learning and wisdom was represented by a hamadryas baboon.

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Egyptians venerated the hamadryas baboon as one embodiment of Thoth, god of the moon and of wisdom and adviser to Ra, god of the sun.

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Archaeologists have long puzzled over the prominence of the hamadryas baboon in ancient Egyptian culture.

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A statue of a hamadryas baboon inscribed with King Narmer’s name dates to between 3150 B.C. and 3100 B.C.;

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In their efforts to decode the significance of the hamadryas baboon, scholars have considered the way it is depicted in Egyptian art, noting two iconic forms.

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