Choronu

Spellings: Horon/u, Choron/u, Hauron
Choronu is a chthonic god of healing, incantations, and reptiles. Choronu plays an important role in texts against snakebites and venom. His consort is the goddess Mother-of-Horses.

In KTU 1.100, the Mother-of-Horses’ children have been bit by snakes, and she asks her mother Shapash to find a deity who can successfully use her incantation against snakebite. The last deity Shapash requests help from is Choronu. While the other deities each brought a snake-charmer to heal the bitten horses, Choronu breaks the routine and collects special ingredients (sticks and plants). His incantation is successful in saving the Mother-of-Horses’ children, and Choronu requests that the goddess give him access to the “house of incantations” where she resides. The Mother-of-Horses offers him access to the house if he will give her power over snakes and lizards as a bride price. Choronu accepts her deal, and they are married.

Choronu was imported to Egypt during the New Kingdom (or became popular then). Choronu’s power in magic and as an averter of snakes and venomous creatures likely led to his cult establishment. The statue depicted here is of Choronu as a hawk-form god protecting the child Ramesses II from various dangers and evils.

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