Harpocrates (härpŏkˈrətēz) [key], the Greek name for the
Egyptian sky god Horus. He was represented as a small boy with
his finger held to his lips and came to be considered the god of
silence. His cult, combined with that of Isis and Serapis, was
very popular in the Roman Empire. The Columbia Electronic
Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University
Press. All rights reserved.