Salt of Ammon

They mined this ionic compound near the ancient Egyptian temple of Ammon in Libya. The name sal ammoniac literally means salt of Ammon. Figure 3.43 shows other examples of common (trivial) names for familiar compounds. 

The Egyptian national god Amen was known by the Romans when they conquered Egypt as Ammon, and identified by them with their god Jupiter. Outside the Egyptian temples the refuse from the sacrifices, etc, gradually disintegrated and parts were converted into mineral salts, which became known as salts of Ammon . In course of time it was found that these salts were mixtures, part being volatile. The name Ammon was retained for these volatile portions which are now termed ammonia or ammonium salts. 

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