In early Egyptian civilization, Apis was the bull deity of the Memphis region. Kaiechos of the Second Dynasty must have initiated bull worship. He is also the deity, who renewed the life of Egyptians. Soon after his death, he became Osarapis, a great reincarnation of Osiris. Apis is the most sacred animal of ancient Egypt, with his great influence of the entire pharoanic court.
Exacavation of Serapeum at Memphis shows tombs of over sixty animals from the time of Amenophis III to that of Ptolemy, the Alexander. Strangely, each of these animals had its own special tomb erected beneath a unique chapel. Apis also signified the importance of Mother Cow and her offspring.
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Apis, (Greek); Egyptian Hap, Hep, or Hapi, in ancient Egyptian religion, sacred bull deity worshipped at Memphis. The cult of Apis originated at least as early as the 1st dynasty (c. 2925–c. 2775 bce). Like other bull deities, Apis was probably at first a fertility god concerned with the propagation of grain and herds, but he became associated with Ptah, the paramount deity of the Memphite area, and also with Osiris (as User-Hapi) and Sokaris, gods of the dead and of the underworld. As Apis-Atum he was associated with the solar cult and was often…”
Quote Source: Britannica.com
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