Egyptian Religion

Targets

Describe the characteristics of Egyptian

religion.

Evaluate the importance of religion to

Egyptian society.

Egyptian Religion

The most revered god

was Ra or Re

He was worshiped by

all Egyptians

God of the Sun

Religion cont’

Important Egyptian

beliefs published in

The Book of the Dead

Story of Osiris

Osiris was thought to

be a pharaoh

Killed by the wicked

god Seth

Story of Osiris cont’

He was brought back

to life by his wife, Isis

Their son, Horus, took

revenge on Seth

This begins a close

association between

the Pharaohs and the

gods

Pharaohs and Religion

Egyptians believed

that their Pharaoh was

the son of Ra.

In death the Pharaoh

joined Osiris and

achieved life after

death, just as Osiris

had

Egyptian Gods

Most Egyptian gods

were

anthropomorphic in

character.

Isis

Egyptian Gods cont’

Several Egyptian gods were more animal than human.

What is this called?

Zoomorphic

Example?

Anubis

Roamed cemeteries and communicated with the dead

Afterlife

The belief in life after death was very important

Consistent throughout Egyptian history

Examples:

1. Mummification (studied in detail later)

-Pharaohs, ordinary people (who could afford it), even animals

2. Death of the Pharaoh

Death of the Pharaoh

After the pharaoh’s (or

noble’s) death they

begin a journey to the

afterlife

They must pass Osiris’

judgment of Good or

Evil

Osiris will weigh his

heart