Download ms.j`s egyptian gods goddess - Etiwanda E

By
Sheryl Johnson
Social STudies
Purpose
You will become familiar with some of the
different deities of Ancient Egypt and the
religious beliefs that Ancient Egyptians held
pertaining to life and death.
Ancient Egyptians believed in and worshipped many
gods. They believed that their gods had created and
ruled the world. While each god served a particular
need or purpose, some were more important than
others.
Ancient legends led to the birth of many of the
Egyptian gods and goddesses.
It is not known why the Egyptians chose to associate some
gods and goddesses with animals or why a certain animal
species came to represent a specific deity. All of the
animals that developed sacred associations were native to
Egypt as some time during its history.
Osiris
According to Egyptian mythology Osiris was the
king of Egypt who was killed by his jealous brother
Seth. Seth cut up Osiris’ body and scattered the
parts throughout Egypt. However, Osiris’ faithful
wife, Isis gathered up the pieces and using her
magical abilities, put them back together.
Nevertheless, Osiris could never again live like the
other gods, so instead, Osiris reigned as the lord of
the underworld.
Because the legend told of Osiris’ death and
rebirth, the Egyptians honored him as the god of
the dead. He is depicted as a mummy holding the
crook and flail, the insignia associated with kings.
Isis
Isis is the faithful wife of Osiris
Horus
Horus is the son of Osiris and Isis. According to legend,
there was a battle between Horus and his uncle Seth for the
throne of Egypt. Horus was also wanting to avenge his
father’s murder. Horus eventually won and became the ruler
of Egypt. However, during the battle, Seth tore out and
broke Horus’ eye by smashing it on the ground. Another
god, Thoth, picked up the eye and restored it. It is Horus’
eye that became a very powerful amulet known as the wedjeteye and it is frequently seen in tombs or in jewelry.
Thoth
Thoth is the restorer or the eye. He is generally
depicted with the head of an ibis, which is a
common Egyptian bird. He was the scribe of the
gods and was also believed to have invented
writing. He possessed wonderful magic and was
also associated with the moon and time.
Hathor was a major deity and was
identified with beauty and music. She
took several forms, all of which were
related to a cow. Sometimes she was
depicted with a cow’s head or just with
the ears or horns of a cow. Many temples
were built in her honor.
Hathor
Sekhmet
Sekhmet represented war, destruction, and
pestilence. She was usually portrayed with the
head of a lion on a woman’s body. She was also
associated with the cat.
Anubis
Anubis had the head of a jackal, and came to be
honored as the god of the necropolis. He also
served as the god of embalming, and was in
charge of preparing bodies for burial.
Works Cited
Pictures:
I found the clip art of the various Gods and Goddesses and other Egyptian symbols at
www.neferchichi.com
I have permission to use these pictures. I downloaded them on 10/20/01.
Information:
Ancient World History Development Team. World History Program: Ancient Egypt and the Near East.
Palo Alto, CA: Teacher’s Curriculum Institute, 1997.
Armento, Beverly J., Gary B. Nash, Christopher L. Salter, and Karen K. Wixson. A Message of Ancient
Days. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1991.
Your Job!
Choose your favorite God or Goddess
Requirements:
•Cover sheet (Picture of God)
•Report that tells about your God.
•What they represent and control?
•Any special symbols?