"Herodotus connected Heracles both to Phoenician god Melqart and to the Egyptian god Shu." -- Ancient Greek cults: a guide (Jennifer Lynn Larson)
Shu holding Nut and separating her from Geb.
Sometimes when I read of a deity being equated or syncretized to another it makes total sense. Other times I have to look into the reasons for it as it's not entirely obvious from the get-go. The Herakles and Shu connection is one of them. I've seen it listed online and in a number of books, so I figured I should look deeper into the relationship between the two.
Shu is of the Heliopolian cosmology, a member of the Ennead. He's the son of Atum (who was self-created out of Nun) and brother/husband of Tefnut. These two were created out of Atum's spittle (via masturbation by most accounts). In Greek myth, they'd be similar to the Protogenoi. In fact, given Shu's role and responsibilities, the closest Hellenic deity I could equate him with is Khaos (who is also associated with the air), who created/filled a void between Ouranos and Gaia. Or Atlas, a Titan. In my research I'll see what, if anything links him to Herakles...
Shu's name, depending on the source means: dry, parched, withered, emptiness or He who Rises Up. He's the god of the atmosphere, dry air, heat from the sun, light and wind. It was his duty to separate his children, Nut and Geb. This was an act he does for eternity, as his separation of Nut and Geb (sky and earth) allowed life to flourish.
Shu holding up the heavens
1. Holding up the Heavens
This is where I can see a link to Herakles... Herakles, as part of his 11th Labor to get the Apples of the Hesperides, took the weight of the world off Atlas' shoulders and carried the burden so Atlas could get the Apples for him. Like Shu, Atlas and briefly Herakles, held the weight of the world/atmosphere on their shoulders. Atlas had an epithet "Telamôn," which meant Bearer of Heaven. It's one that could be applied to Shu as well since he held his daughter Nut above the earth (Geb). I suppose because Herakles took Atlas' burden for a little while (myth doesn't state how long it took Atlas to get the Apples), this association stuck with the ancients and contributed to the connection they saw between them. Herakles, after tricking Atlas to take his burden back, never again had to bear the weight of the world, unlike Shu, who had to separate Nut and Geb for eternity.
Herakles as Atlas, a statue in Wales (source)
Seneca, Phaedra 325 ff ;
"On those shoulders [of Herakles], on which the royal structure of the lofty sky had rested."
"On those shoulders [of Herakles], on which the royal structure of the lofty sky had rested."
2. Pillars that separate
Another commonality I noticed. Shu had four pillars called The Pillars of Shu that were found at each cardinal point to help the god keep Nut and Geb apart. Herakles also had pillars associated with him, the Pillars of Herakles, though these were quite different. The Pillars of Herakles weren't actually pillars, but two sides of a mountain that were separated (by Herakles) and created the Strait of Gibraltar. Both of these pillars separated something from something else, earth from sky or mountain from mountain, and Shu and Herakles were responsible for them. This connection with pillars goes further, though, as mythology indicates (in some accounts) that Herakles relieved Atlas from his burden (as he did with Prometheus) by setting up four pillars to support the earth and sky, leaving Atlas to guard them. With this, Herakles and Shu are more closely related than at first glance.
3. Killing of serpents
Shu and Herakles also seem linked with their killing of serpents. Herakles as well known, killed the snakes Hera sent to kill him when he was only a baby, by strangling them to death. He also killed Hydra, a serpentine-ish creature. Shu on the other hand, killed Apep. He traveled with Ra on his underworld journey and killed Apep daily, allowing life and light to be reborn and flourish. I'm not sure (yet) if Herakles had other associations with snakes. I can't think of any more at the moment.
4. Lions
One last animal association they share is that of the lion. Tefnut, Shu's sister-wife is most often show as a lioness. Shu, also takes on a lion form and with Tefnut, they've been called "twin lion gods." Herakles, after killing the Nemean lion used the hide as armour and was often show with the lion pelt. It's one of his identifying features, in fact.
Bust of Herakles with wearing lion pelt.
5. Defeating and fighting destructive forces
Both Herakles and Shu fought evil and destructive forces. Herakles dealt with various monsters, people and other unsavory types. Herakles apart from his Labors on earth, also guards Olympos. Shu was said to fight Apep (as stated already) and lead demons (in this case, not bad ones...I assume) to ward off and fight souls that were deemed corrupt (he was present during the Judgment of the Soul in the Hall of Ma'at). In this role Shu provided a necessary service and helped keep ma'at in place. Much like Herakles protected people from destructive forces that threatened society and order.
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When I first saw their names linked with each other, I was confused. They didn't at all seem similar to me. This also happened when I read about Herakles and Ogmios, which I'll write about another time. Herakles is often syncretized with Khonsu, which does make a lot more sense (and I'll write about at a later time as well). In my research, though, I did discover some things that they did share. The strongest things that tie them, IMO, is the bearing of the heavens and pillars that separate heaven and earth. While I don't look at Shu and think Herakles, but I can appreciate there is something shared with them and that the ancients, for whatever reasons, connected them. It was fun researching them and trying to see the what they shared! I'm sure it'll be just as interesting to look into the others as well. :-)
Sites of Interest:
Akhet: Shu
Kemetic.org: Shu
TourEgypt: Shu
Wikipedia: Shu
EgyptianMyths: Shu
Shu
Theoi: Atlas
