Egyptian Gods

Shezmu was the ancient Egyptian demonic God of Slaughter, Execution, Blood and Wine. The name Shezmu also spelled as Shesmu, Schezemu, Schesmu, Shesemu, Shezmou, Shesmou, Sezmu and Sesmu. He was the demonic god of slaughter, precious oils for beauty and embalming and red wine.

The colour red of wine has a strong connection with blood, where Shezmu ripped off the heads of the wrongdoers and putting their head into a wine press to be crushed and removed the blood into red wine. Thus, he was known as “Lord of Blood”, “Executioner of Osiris” and he also given the title as “Slaughterer of Souls” and “Demon of the Wine Press”. Besides, being a punisher of the wrongdoers he also protects the virtuous one.

His appearance portrayed as a man with the head of a falcon. During punishing the damned, he took the form of a man with a leonine head. This appearance linked him with Sekhmet, the goddess of war. He offered red wine to those who had passed on. Other than wine, he was in charge of earthly objects such as embalming oils, and perfumes.

Shezmu was widely worshipped in Dendera and Edfu. A greatest cult center was build for him in Faiyum.