EGYPT - ReligionEGYPT - Religion

Gods and Godesses, Book of Gods and Godesses, Book of Dead,Dead, Spirit of Dead, Spirit of Dead,

Mummification, and the Mummification, and the AfterlifeAfterlife

HistoryHistory• The time known as “Ancient Egypt” lasted from around 3300 BC The time known as “Ancient Egypt” lasted from around 3300 BC

until it became an independent state in 1300 BC. During this until it became an independent state in 1300 BC. During this time, there were about 9 dynasties or periods, in which different time, there were about 9 dynasties or periods, in which different pharaohs ruled. pharaohs ruled.

• During the Early Dynastic Period, the development of writing During the Early Dynastic Period, the development of writing called hieroglyphics began. This period also began constructing called hieroglyphics began. This period also began constructing large scale buildings and begun the trade line outside of the Nile large scale buildings and begun the trade line outside of the Nile valley. Another period that had a great impact on the Ancient valley. Another period that had a great impact on the Ancient Egyptian life, was the Old Kingdom. Historians have dated that Egyptian life, was the Old Kingdom. Historians have dated that this is when the art of embalming, or mummification began.this is when the art of embalming, or mummification began.

• The Middle Kingdom about 2055 BC, is most likely when military The Middle Kingdom about 2055 BC, is most likely when military campaigns against foreign nations began. Around 2575 BC campaigns against foreign nations began. Around 2575 BC another great accomplishment was made by Pharaoh Khufu. His another great accomplishment was made by Pharaoh Khufu. His pyramid of Gaza, is now one of the most famous and greatest pyramid of Gaza, is now one of the most famous and greatest pyramids known. The fall of the Egyptian dynasty came around pyramids known. The fall of the Egyptian dynasty came around 527BC when Egypt fell under the rule of the Persians.527BC when Egypt fell under the rule of the Persians.

Mythology: The Birth of the Mythology: The Birth of the WorldWorld• The mythology of Ancient Egypt centers The mythology of Ancient Egypt centers around nature, the earth, sun, moon, sky, around nature, the earth, sun, moon, sky, stars and the Nile River. According to stars and the Nile River. According to legend, the Egyptian Empire began with legend, the Egyptian Empire began with the creation of Nu. Nu was a swirling the creation of Nu. Nu was a swirling watery chaos and then the waters began watery chaos and then the waters began to subside, a land appeared. Atum is the to subside, a land appeared. Atum is the God whom emerged from the Nu and is God whom emerged from the Nu and is the creator of the world. This God is also the creator of the world. This God is also know as the great scarab beetle. Atum know as the great scarab beetle. Atum gave birth to two children, Shu and gave birth to two children, Shu and Tefnut. Atum’s children represented the Tefnut. Atum’s children represented the air and the rain. According to legend air and the rain. According to legend Atum then parted with his children and Atum then parted with his children and when they were reunited, his tears of joy when they were reunited, his tears of joy created the men on the earth.created the men on the earth.

Gods and Goddesses Gods and Goddesses Ancient Egyptians worship of 2000 different godsAncient Egyptians worship of 2000 different gods Before Egypt was united their were 40 tribes all with different godsBefore Egypt was united their were 40 tribes all with different gods After all the Gods were kept, meaning many gods had similar characteristicsAfter all the Gods were kept, meaning many gods had similar characteristics Animals were considered the living images of the godsAnimals were considered the living images of the gods

How Gods DressHow Gods Dress Tunic with suspenders.Tunic with suspenders. Dress with suspenders.Dress with suspenders. The short loinclothThe short loincloth The short-sleeved overallThe short-sleeved overall The full-length dressThe full-length dress

Ra (re)Ra (re) Sun GodSun God Appearance:Appearance:

A man with the head of A man with the head of a Hawk wearing a sun a Hawk wearing a sun disk headdressdisk headdress

He was the most He was the most important Godimportant God

The ancient Egyptians The ancient Egyptians believed that each night believed that each night Ra was swallowed night Ra was swallowed night by Nut, the sky goddess by Nut, the sky goddess then reborn in the then reborn in the morning. morning.

ThothThoth Appearance:Appearance: A man A man

with the head of an ibis with the head of an ibis holding a writing palette holding a writing palette

Thoth was the go of Thoth was the go of Knowledge and writingKnowledge and writing

It was said that he gave It was said that he gave the gift of hieroglyphics.the gift of hieroglyphics.

Ma’atMa’at Appearance:Appearance: A Woman A Woman

with a feather on top of with a feather on top of her headher head

Ma'at was the goddess Ma'at was the goddess of truth, justice and of truth, justice and harmonyharmony. .

Ma’at was oftene Ma’at was oftene associated with the associated with the balance of things on balance of things on earth.earth.

Anubis Anubis Appearance:Appearance: A Man A Man

with the head of a jackalwith the head of a jackal Anubis was the god of Anubis was the god of

embalming and the embalming and the dead.dead.

Jackals were often seen Jackals were often seen found in cemeteries, found in cemeteries, because of this it was because of this it was believed that Anubis believed that Anubis watched over the dead. watched over the dead.

Horus Horus Appearance:Appearance: Man with Man with

the head of a hawk the head of a hawk Horus was a god of Horus was a god of

the sky.the sky. He is the He is the protector of the ruler of protector of the ruler of Egypt. Egypt.

It was believed that the It was believed that the pharaoh was the 'living pharaoh was the 'living Horus'. Horus'.

Amun Amun Appearance:Appearance: A Man A Man

with a ram-head with a ram-head wearing an ostrich wearing an ostrich feather hat feather hat

Amun was one of the Amun was one of the most powerful gods most powerful gods in ancient Egypt.in ancient Egypt.

At the height of At the height of Egyptian civilisation he Egyptian civilisation he was called the 'King of was called the 'King of the Gods'. the Gods'.

Osiris Osiris Appearance:Appearance: A A

mummified man who is mummified man who is wearing a white wearing a white headdress with feathers headdress with feathers

Osiris was the god of Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the dead, and ruler of the Underworld.the Underworld.

Osiris was also the god Osiris was also the god of vegetation (plant of vegetation (plant matter) that’s why he is matter) that’s why he is green in appearance.green in appearance.

Atum Atum Appearance:Appearance: Man with Man with

the double crown the double crown Atum was a creator Atum was a creator

god.god. It was belived that Atum It was belived that Atum

was the first god to exist was the first god to exist on earth.on earth.

BOOK OF THE DEAD BOOK OF THE DEAD (reu nu pert em hru)(reu nu pert em hru)• In Egyptian called In Egyptian called reu nu pert em hru reu nu pert em hru which translates into "The Book of Coming forth which translates into "The Book of Coming forth

by Day"by Day"• Contains spells, charms, passwords and numbers to help secure an easy passage for Contains spells, charms, passwords and numbers to help secure an easy passage for

the deceased into the after lifethe deceased into the after life• Egyptians believed that knowledge of the appropriate spells was essential to achieving Egyptians believed that knowledge of the appropriate spells was essential to achieving

happiness in the next lifehappiness in the next life• first inscribed on the sarcophogaus of the deceased in 1600 BCE, then later written on first inscribed on the sarcophogaus of the deceased in 1600 BCE, then later written on

papyrus paperpapyrus paper• there are many different versions of the Book of the Dead including:there are many different versions of the Book of the Dead including:

* Heliopolitan version which is known from * Heliopolitan version which is known from fivefive

• copies inscribed in the tombs of Kings from the fifth dynasty and edited by priests of copies inscribed in the tombs of Kings from the fifth dynasty and edited by priests of AnnuAnnu

* Theban version which is the most modern * Theban version which is the most modern versionversion

• written on papyrus paper and organized into chapters containing only hieroglyphicswritten on papyrus paper and organized into chapters containing only hieroglyphics* Saite version which is very strictly organized* Saite version which is very strictly organized

• spell 125 is one of the most well known segments which is the judging of the soul done spell 125 is one of the most well known segments which is the judging of the soul done by Osiris and his 42 judgesby Osiris and his 42 judges

• The weighing of the heart against Ma'at is considered one of the more important The weighing of the heart against Ma'at is considered one of the more important chapterschapters

• "Book of the Dead" meant to aid deceased in not dying a second time and becoming "Book of the Dead" meant to aid deceased in not dying a second time and becoming an an akhakh

The book of dead inscribed on tomb

weighing of the heart against Ma'at’s Feather

SPIRIT OF THE DEADSPIRIT OF THE DEAD

• Egyptians believe that each person is composed of three essential elements: ba Egyptians believe that each person is composed of three essential elements: ba (soul/personality), ka (life force), and the body in which the soul is kept(soul/personality), ka (life force), and the body in which the soul is kept

• Ka, ba and akh are believed to be immortal aspects of the soul thus remaining alive Ka, ba and akh are believed to be immortal aspects of the soul thus remaining alive inside the body after deathinside the body after death

• In the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, the ba and ka are released into the next In the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, the ba and ka are released into the next worldworld

• Upon death, the ba and ka become separated from the body but remain aliveUpon death, the ba and ka become separated from the body but remain alive• Because the body of the deceased is mummified, the body must rely on the ba to Because the body of the deceased is mummified, the body must rely on the ba to

seek out the kaseek out the ka• During the night when Ra visits the underworld, the ba are allowed to freely roam During the night when Ra visits the underworld, the ba are allowed to freely roam

but must always return to the underworld because that is where the body lies and but must always return to the underworld because that is where the body lies and the ba and body are part of the same beingthe ba and body are part of the same being

• If the ba is successful in reuniting itself with the ka, it becomes an akhIf the ba is successful in reuniting itself with the ka, it becomes an akh• If successful in becoming an akh, the akh inhabits the world after as it is believed by If successful in becoming an akh, the akh inhabits the world after as it is believed by

the Egyptians that three kinds of beings inhabit the world after death: gods, the dead the Egyptians that three kinds of beings inhabit the world after death: gods, the dead (those who's ba and ka have not been united) and akhs(those who's ba and ka have not been united) and akhs

• Akhs are believed to be the "spirit of the dead" Akhs are believed to be the "spirit of the dead"

Ba

Ka

Ba leaving the body

EmbalmingEmbalming• The earliest Egyptians’ buried their dead in The earliest Egyptians’ buried their dead in

small small pits where they would eventually dry out from the pits where they would eventually dry out from the heat, leaving life-like mummies (Mummification). Many heat, leaving life-like mummies (Mummification). Many years later, people began placing the dead in coffins to years later, people began placing the dead in coffins to protect them from the wildlife. This process proved to be protect them from the wildlife. This process proved to be unacceptable, as the body would decompose since it unacceptable, as the body would decompose since it wasn’t exposed to the heat. As a result, the process of wasn’t exposed to the heat. As a result, the process of embalming began. embalming began.

• The embalming process was a long and grotesque The embalming process was a long and grotesque process in some cases. The first stage of the embalming process in some cases. The first stage of the embalming process was to take the body to the “ibu” and wash it process was to take the body to the “ibu” and wash it with good smelling palm wine and then wash it with with good smelling palm wine and then wash it with water from the Nile River. Next, an incision was made to water from the Nile River. Next, an incision was made to the left side of the body which allowed the embalmer to the left side of the body which allowed the embalmer to remove the internal organs (The Religion of Ancient remove the internal organs (The Religion of Ancient Egypt). The only organ not taken out of the body was the Egypt). The only organ not taken out of the body was the heart, as it was the center of intelligence and feeling and, heart, as it was the center of intelligence and feeling and, therefore, needed in the afterlife. The body was then therefore, needed in the afterlife. The body was then stuffed and covered with natron, which allowed the body stuffed and covered with natron, which allowed the body to dry out. After forty days, the body was then washed to dry out. After forty days, the body was then washed again. Once again the body was covered with oil after the again. Once again the body was covered with oil after the embalmers restuffed the body. The body was then ready embalmers restuffed the body. The body was then ready for wrapping.for wrapping.

MummificationMummificationEmbalming the BodyEmbalming the Body

• Wash the body with good smelling palm Wash the body with good smelling palm wines and rinse with water from the wines and rinse with water from the Nile.Nile.

• Cut a slit in the left side of the body and Cut a slit in the left side of the body and remove internal organs the liver, remove internal organs the liver, stomach, lungs and intestines are stomach, lungs and intestines are placed in canopic jars.placed in canopic jars.

• imsety the human headed god holds imsety the human headed god holds the liverthe liver

• hapy the baboon headed god holds the hapy the baboon headed god holds the lungslungs

• duamutef the jackal headed god holds duamutef the jackal headed god holds the stomachthe stomach

• qebehsenuef the falcon headed god qebehsenuef the falcon headed god holds the intestinesholds the intestines

• A hook is then inserted up the nose to A hook is then inserted up the nose to remove the brains the heart remains in remove the brains the heart remains in the body because the Egyptians the body because the Egyptians believed that your heart was the most believed that your heart was the most important aspect of the human.important aspect of the human.

• the body is then covered and stuffed the body is then covered and stuffed with which will help to dry out the bodywith which will help to dry out the body

• The body is then placed in the desert The body is then placed in the desert for 40 days. After the 40 days the body for 40 days. After the 40 days the body is then washed again with Nile water is then washed again with Nile water the skin is the covered in oils.the skin is the covered in oils.

WrappingWrapping• First the head and neck are wrapped First the head and neck are wrapped

with linen. The fingers and toes are with linen. The fingers and toes are wrapped individually. The arms and wrapped individually. The arms and legs are wrapped separately from legs are wrapped separately from the bodythe body

• In the layers the embalmers place In the layers the embalmers place amulets to protect the body in the amulets to protect the body in the underworld. The 'isis knot' amulet underworld. The 'isis knot' amulet protects the body and ' Plummet' protects the body and ' Plummet' represents personal balancerepresents personal balance

• Priests read out spells while the Priests read out spells while the mummy is being wrapped.mummy is being wrapped.

• Papyrus scroll filled with spells from Papyrus scroll filled with spells from the book of the dead is wrapped in the book of the dead is wrapped in the mummies handsthe mummies hands

• A cloth is then wrapped over the A cloth is then wrapped over the whole body and a painting of Osiris whole body and a painting of Osiris is Painted on top.is Painted on top.

• A funeral is then held for the dead A funeral is then held for the dead person before the body is layered to person before the body is layered to rest they have a ritual called 'the rest they have a ritual called 'the opening of he mouth' this lets the opening of he mouth' this lets the dead person eat and drink one last dead person eat and drink one last timetime

Canopic Jars

The After LifeThe After Life

• Death is not seen as the last stage of lifeDeath is not seen as the last stage of life• Before the mummy can reach the underworld it has to pass Before the mummy can reach the underworld it has to pass

through seven through seven • gates, aided by the magic spells inscribed upon the funerary gates, aided by the magic spells inscribed upon the funerary

objects, then objects, then • the dead person arrives in the presence of Osiris (god of the the dead person arrives in the presence of Osiris (god of the

underworld)underworld)• Osiris then performs a ceremony called the 'weighing of the heart'Osiris then performs a ceremony called the 'weighing of the heart'• Heart of the dead person is weighed on a scale by the jackal Heart of the dead person is weighed on a scale by the jackal

headed god headed god • Anubis (god of dead) against the feather of Ma'at (goddess of Anubis (god of dead) against the feather of Ma'at (goddess of

truth)truth)• Balancing the scale meant immortalityBalancing the scale meant immortality• If the scale did not balance then Amemt (crocodile headed god) If the scale did not balance then Amemt (crocodile headed god)

would eat would eat • the heart, and Seth, murderer of Osiris ate the rest of the bodythe heart, and Seth, murderer of Osiris ate the rest of the body

Cats: The Sacred AnimalCats: The Sacred Animal• Although many cultures Although many cultures have had cats, the Ancient Egyptians have had cats, the Ancient Egyptians

were the first to domesticate and allow them in their homes. were the first to domesticate and allow them in their homes. During the first years of the domesticated cat, these animals During the first years of the domesticated cat, these animals were most likely used to chase off rodents and snakes from the were most likely used to chase off rodents and snakes from the crops and homes of the Egyptians. Slowly however, these crops and homes of the Egyptians. Slowly however, these animals were eventually revered a God. People began placing animals were eventually revered a God. People began placing cats on tombs and outside their homes to protect the cats on tombs and outside their homes to protect the inhabitants and ward off evil spirits. The first famous cat deity inhabitants and ward off evil spirits. The first famous cat deity was Bastet (Watson). She was the goddess of fertility and was was Bastet (Watson). She was the goddess of fertility and was the protector of the children and cats. Sekhmet was Bastet’s the protector of the children and cats. Sekhmet was Bastet’s counterpart and known as the goddess of war and pestilence. counterpart and known as the goddess of war and pestilence. Together the two maintained balance of nature. Together the two maintained balance of nature.

• Cats were so highly recognized that they were often waited on Cats were so highly recognized that they were often waited on and when they died, they were mummified just as a person and when they died, they were mummified just as a person would be. The mummified corpse would then be offered to would be. The mummified corpse would then be offered to Bastet. After the death of the animal, the owner would go into Bastet. After the death of the animal, the owner would go into deep mourning and even shaved their eyebrows to show their deep mourning and even shaved their eyebrows to show their great los. great los.

• Laws also protected the cat. Suppose a human killed a cat, Laws also protected the cat. Suppose a human killed a cat, whether intentional or not, that human was sentenced to whether intentional or not, that human was sentenced to death. The cat definitely held a powerful spot in Ancient death. The cat definitely held a powerful spot in Ancient Egyptian history. Egyptian history.

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Bibliography (Pictures)Bibliography (Pictures)

• "Large Bastet the Goddess Protector." "Large Bastet the Goddess Protector." The Museum StoreThe Museum Store. Talaria . Talaria Enterprises. 22 Nov. 2005 Enterprises. 22 Nov. 2005 <http://www.talariaenterprises.com/products_lg/5596.html>. <http://www.talariaenterprises.com/products_lg/5596.html>.

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