Ai apaec

Aiapaec in a wall in the Huaca de la Luna.

Ai apaec (from the Mochica Aiapæc [a.ja.pøk] or [aiapøk]), also called decapitador was the chief deity of the Mochica culture, was one of their gods punishers, the most feared and adored, is also called the headsman. Ai Apaec was worshiped as the creator god, protector of the Moche, a provider of water, food and military triumphs. Aiapaec means 'doer' in Mochica language.

Representations

The most common representation of Ai Apaec is that seen in the murals of the Temples of the moon and sun (picture), which presents an anthropomorphic face with feline fangs and surrounding ocean waves.

Ai apaec was represented in several ways, depending on the period, place, and support used. In metallurgy, for example, Ai apaec is often seen as a spider with eight legs and an anthropomorphic face with jaguar fangs. In ceramics the divinity is often more anthropomorphic, usually with his head in his hands and sometimes with two snakes sprouting from his head (hair??). In sculpture he is shown with a staff.

It is said that during human sacrifices, prisoners were decapitated and their heads given to Ai apaec.

In popular culture

Ai Apaec is a villain in the Marvel Universe. He is depicted as having the torso of a human male (with snakes for hair and large fangs) with the lower body of an enormous spider. Recruited by Norman Osborn, he is given a special serum that changes him into a six armed version of Spider-Man. In this form he is a member of Osborne's second version of the Dark Avengers. He first appeared in Osborn #1 (2011).

See also

• Cultural depictions of spiders
• El Brujo
• Moche culture
• Huanchaco
• Trujillo, Peru
• Ai Apaec (comics)

References

• Art of the Andes, from Chavin to Inca. Rebecca Stone Miller, Thames and Hudson, 1995.
• The Incas and their Ancestors. Michael E. Moseley, Thames and Hudson, 1992.

External links

• www.huacas.com
• Sun and Moon Official Project information