Thothتحوت

The Egyptians credited Thoth with one of their greatest gifts: writing itself. He was said to have invented the hieroglyphic script and to be the patron of all scribes, who honoured him before beginning their work. Beyond writing, Thoth was the god of knowledge, science, mathematics, medicine, and magic — the source of learning in every form. To master his wisdom was to hold the keys to civilisation, which made him deeply revered by Egypt's educated class.

Thoth served as the record-keeper and messenger of the gods, noting their decisions and settling their disputes with fair judgement. At the weighing of the heart, it was Thoth who recorded the verdict, writing down whether a soul had passed the test of truth. He was also closely tied to the moon, whose phases helped measure time and the calendar — fitting for a god of counting and record-keeping. Calm, wise, and just, he was the great mediator of the divine world.

Thoth's reputation as the god of wisdom outlived ancient Egypt itself. The Greeks identified him with their god Hermes, calling him "Hermes Trismegistus" — Hermes the Thrice-Great — and tied his name to a whole tradition of mystical and philosophical writings. His great cult centre was the city the Greeks called Hermopolis. From the scribe sharpening his reed pen to later seekers of hidden knowledge, Thoth remained the timeless symbol of learning, writing, and wisdom.

• Who he is: god of writing, wisdom, and the moon; the divine scribe.
• Arabic name: تحوت (Thoth).
• Shown as: a man with the head of an ibis (sometimes a baboon).
• Credited with: inventing hieroglyphic writing; patron of scribes and knowledge.
• His role: recorder of the gods; he wrote the verdict at the weighing of the heart.
• Later fame: identified by the Greeks with Hermes ("Hermes Trismegistus").

Sources include standard works on ancient Egyptian religion and mythology.