The mystical son of Isis and Osiris, he was raised in secrecy in the Nile swamps to avoid being discovered by Set, who had killed his father, Osiris. When he reached adulthood he sought to avenge his father and kill Set. After a lengthy contest in which he lost an eye, he triumphed and his reward was the rule of Egypt. He gave the lost eye to Osiris and wore instead a serpent on his head to replace it. All pharaohs thereafter wore this serpent as a symbol of authority and their ability to see and know all.

"Horus, strong Bull, steady at heart as the son of Nut, victorious king! / He sets up all his borders at each place according to his desire. / He spends the time of ploughing in Egypt. / He brought to its knees the land of the people of Retenue / when he felled their trees / and destroyed their cities ..."

-- rock stela by Qasr Ibrim on the banks of the Nile