Significance of Ament
Ament is a multifaceted concept in Egyptian lore. It is where Ra journeys, towed across the sky. Ament is a hidden place in the Tuat, a protective barrier against Apep. It represents an administrative division of Lower Egypt. It is a place of destruction for doomed souls. Ruled by Osiris, Ament is a location of importance. Sanehat's lord delivers him from this place. Ament is a complex symbol encompassing celestial journeys, protection, governance, destruction, and divine power.
Synonyms: Madness, Insanity, Lunacy, Mania, Catkin
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Classical concept of 'Ament'
From: The Book of Gates
(1) Ament is the place where words and deeds are weighed, part of the journey of the great god along the roads of the Tuat, where he is drawn by the gods.[1] (2) A place of the Tuat where figures are depicted on the east wall of a palace, and copies of these representations provide magical protection.[2] (3) It has a palace with figures depicted on the east wall in the hidden places of the Tuat, providing knowledge to those who seek it.[3] (4) The figures are depicted on the east wall of "Ament", and whoever makes a copy of these representations and knows their names shall journey round about in the Tuat.[4] (5) It is a road traversed by a deity in a holy boat without being towed, relying on potent utterances from Isis and SEMSU. The deity travels over this road which is without water.[5]
From: The Book of Am-Tuat
(1) Ament is the hidden place in the Tuat where Apep is shut up if the words of power of Isis and SER are uttered, ensuring protection.[6] (2) Ament crieth to Ra so that Ra may join her and go forwards in the sky as the Great One who is in the horizon, and may be towed along by those who tow Ra.[7] (3) It is where souls are hewed and hacked in pieces, restraint is set upon shadows, and doomed beings are destroyed in their place of destruction.[8]
From: The Egyptian Heaven and Hell
(1) AMENT is another name for the Fifth Division, described as containing secret ways and the doors of the hidden chamber within the holy place of the Land of SEKER, holding his flesh and body.[9] (2) Ament is another name for the Second Division of the Tuat, where AFU-RA visits to judge the dead and assign them to their appropriate places.[10] (3) It is the name of the fifth division of the Tuat, with its gate named AHA-NETERU and the hour-goddess named SEKMET-HER-ABT-UAA-S, according to the BOOK AM-TUAT.[11]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) It is a location ruled by Osiris, as in 'Osiris, lord of'. It is a place of importance.[12] (2) Describes how it is the third administrative division of Lower Egypt with Nut-ent-Hap (Apis) as the capital and Het-Heru as the deity.[13]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) Ament is the place from which Sanehat's lord has delivered him, according to Sanehat's reply to the royal document.[14]