Significant beliefs: The Gods
The ancient Egyptians believed in many gods (see figure 12.1) and each god was worshiped for a different reason (Rick Riordan, n.d.). The people of Egypt relied on the gods to get through every day life. The belief of gods in Egypt started after Ra became pharaoh but there are rumors that the idea of a god started before then.
Horus: Horus is known as the Avenger, he was also the offspring of Isis and Osiris. He challenged Set for his rule and eventually defeated him. Horus used the falcon for his symbol. Set: He is the god of the storms, the desert and evil. He was the strongest of the gods as well as being the most cunning. Thoth: Thoth is the god of writing and knowledge and writing. The ancient Egyptians believed that he gave them the gift of the hieroglyphs. Khnum: Khnum was the god of the yearly flooding of the Nile as well as being the creator god. Hathor: She was the god of love, protectiveness and joy. Sobek: He was both respected and feared. He was the god of all crocodiles and he was known for his strength. It also widely known he had a whole city named after him in ancient Egypt. Ra (see figure 12.2 and 12.3): Ra was the first pharaoh to rule Egypt. his golden sun ship was known to sail across the sky causing the day. During the night he was thought to travel underground to the world of Duat. He was said to be sailing in the river of darkness and fighting of the monsters that were there. Every morning the Egyptians would celebrate when Ra emerged from the ground. After he grew old he would give up his place to the Osiris and he would retreat into the heavens. Amon: Amon was recognized as the king of the gods. Ptah: Ptah was known as the god of the craftsmen. It is said that he spoke some words and the world came into existence (The Trustees of the British Museum, 1999) . Anubis: Anubis was one of the most important out of all the gods as he helped prepare the soul for the afterlife. He was the god of funerals and according to Rick Riordan he escorted the dead to the hall of judgement. Osiris: Osiris was the first offspring from Geb and Nut. According to Rick Riordan he was a wise and good pharaoh when he claimed the throne from Ra. Man learned how to farm from Osiris and he created the first cities. Unfortunately Osiris ended his reign in Egypt after his jealous brother, Set tricked him into laying in a coffin and Set cut him into pieces. He later got put back together by his wife and as he was not strong enough to rule the world he went to be the god of the under world. Isis (see figure 12.4): Isis is Osiris's wife and she is the goddess of magic. She was a clever and ambitious woman. She was the one who convinced Ra into retiring into the heavens by poisoning him with a magic snake (Rick Riordan, n.d.). |
©By Gabriel Merga 2014