Origin
Ammut’s origin is deeply rooted in ancient Egyptian mythology, specifically in the context of the afterlife. In Egyptian beliefs, the soul’s journey after death involved a judgment process in the Hall of Ma’at. During this judgment, the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and harmony. If the heart was found to be free of impurities and as light as the feather, the soul could proceed to the afterlife. However, if the heart was heavy with sin and impurity, it would be devoured by Ammut, preventing the soul from reaching the afterlife.
Alternate Versions
Marvel:
Ammut is an African sphinx that was created personally by Oshtur. Ammut has stated that she was made from Acacia petals, Nile water, black sand, desert heat, and then brought to life by Oshtur’s magics. Ammut’s Sphinx physiology is part leopard, part crocodile, part lion, and part hippo. Due to her close connection to Oshtur, she possesses a certain number of magical abilities. She even appears to be able to (at will) teleport herself, or other beings to a type of mystic realm. She possesses the ability, and the right, to give riddles to any who seek her information, or aid. If they guess correctly, she will assist them. If they guess wrong, she will eat their minds. Ammut also possesses the ability to overpower other kinds of mystic creatures. Shortly after she was successfully summoned by the Egyptian sorceress Ashake, Ammut single-handedly pinned down two giant snakes that were created via magic. Offensive magic also doesn’t appear to have any real effect on her, as Ian McNee struck her with lightning, and she countered by literally eating the bolt.
2000 AD / Rebellion:
Aquila, a gladiator-slave sentenced to death by crucifixion for joining Spartacus’s rebellion, called out for mercy and vengeance to every god he knew. Only one, Ammit the Devourer, answered his prayer. She granted him invulnerability and immortality,
He is charged to slay evil mortals, in order to satisfy his mistress Ammit’s hunger for evil souls.