Horus is one of the oldest deities of ancient Egypt. He was also known as Kemwer, meaning (the) great Black (one), the god of vengeance, sky, protection, and was usually depicted as a falcon-headed man. While Egyptologists often refer to him as "Horus the hawk, the avenger," some scholars assert that the word "hero" comes from Horus' original African name, Heru or Hor.