Egyptian Religion : Egyptian Religion
Religion based on Constants : Religion based on Constants Sun rose every day
Nile river flooded on schedule Natural world is a series of recurrent cycles
Re (sun god) journeys in a boat through the underworld each night, fighting the off attacks of demonic serpents to be reborn each morning as the rising sun
Story of Osiris : Story of Osiris Osiris was married to his sister Isis and was leader of the Egyptians
His brother Seth (Set) was very jealous of his power
Seth planned to kill Osiris and steal his position Seth tricked Osiris and killed him.
BUT, Isis had the power to bring Osiris back to life.
Seth came up with a better plan….
Seth’s better plan…. : Seth’s better plan…. Seth held a party and came up with a great game.
He brought out a huge golden trunk
Whoever could fit perfectly in the trunk would win it
Osiris got into the trunk, only to have Seth locked the lid down on top of him Seth killed Osiris (again), but cut him into little pieces and scattered them throughout Egypt.
Isis and Anubis (a friend god), collected all of the pieces
But….
Osiris could not be brought back to life : Osiris could not be brought back to life Osiris left this world to become god of the Underworld
His son, Horus, avenged his death, challenging Seth to a duel
Instead of delivering the death blow, Horus showed his uncle mercy Horus then became the leader of Egypt in his father’s place
Pharaoh : Pharaoh Chief priest of Egypt
Intervenes with the gods on behalf of his land and people
Physical embodiment of gods
Horus in life
Osiris in death
Expensive!! : Expensive!! Lots of money and resources go towards keeping the gods and goddess happy
Must pay for priests and priestesses
Build huge temples to the gods
Magic : Magic Made offerings to different gods for good luck
Offerings to Bes insured happy marriages
Prayed to ancestors and minor gods
Wore amulets
Extensive Beliefs in Afterlife : Extensive Beliefs in Afterlife Rich are mummified in preparation of second life
Copies of The Book of the Dead are painted onto the walls of tombs
Serves as “roadmap” through the Underworld to Osiris
Weighing of the Heart Ceremony : Weighing of the Heart Ceremony Using The Book of the Dead, the recently deceased make their way through the underworld to Osiris
There, Anubis weighs their hearts against a feather If heart is lighter than a feather, the dead enter the Afterlife were they enjoy everything they did in this world but ten times better
If heart is heavier, the dead are eaten by a horrible monster