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.

From Science Daily

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.

From Scientific American

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

From Scientific American

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

From Scientific American

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.

From Scientific American