Ancient Egyptian Religion Ancient World History 1

Basic Principals of Egyptian Religion Like most ancient civilizations the Egyptians were polytheistic. Their gods and goddesses controlled all aspects of nature Egyptians also lived in a theocracy where their government’s rule was based on religious authority 2

The Pharaohs Pharaohs were seen as kings, priests, and gods. Pharaohs were believed to rule the earth as the gods ruled the heavens. People believed what happened in Egypt was directly dependent on the pharaoh’s actions Pharaohs also controlled all aspects of government and religious rituals 3

The Afterlife Egyptians were one of the first peoples to believe in the concept of eternal life, or life after death. This is why the Egyptians developed elaborate burial rituals such as mummification (preservation of the physical body) and built elaborate tombs for their pharaohs called pyramids 4

Mummification was practiced by Egyptians because they believed that every individual would need their body in the after life Tombs were used as a place to store the body and all the possessions the deceased individual would need in the afterlife (clothes, weapons, jewelry, furniture, etc.) Tombs were constructed and designed to protect the body and its possessions for eternity Mummies and Tombs 5

Vocabulary terms Belief in MANY gods Polytheistic-- Monotheistic-- Belief in ONE god Theocracy-- A government’s rule is based on religious authority. Afterlife-- belief in life after death Mummification-- The process of preserving the body so it does not decay.

CREATION MYTH http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/story/main.html Some gods and goddesses took part in creation, some brought the flood every year, some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Others were either local gods who represented towns, or minor gods who represented plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to recognise and worship these gods and goddesses so that life continued smoothly. http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/story/main.html

Atum The Creator God

Ra and Amon-Ra OLD KINGDOM NEW KINGDOM The Sun God King of the Gods and the Sun God [A combination of the god of Thebes (Amon) and the Sun god (Ra). ] The Sun God 9

God of the Nile and its Yearly Flood Hapi (Hapy) God of the Nile and its Yearly Flood 10

God of the Underworld and Agriculture Osiris God of the Underworld and Agriculture 11

Goddess of Fertility and Motherhood (Wife of Osiris) Isis Goddess of Fertility and Motherhood (Wife of Osiris) 12

Anubis God of Mummification 13

God of Chaos, Storms, and Disorder (Brother of Osiris) Set (Seth) God of Chaos, Storms, and Disorder (Brother of Osiris) 14

God of the Sky (Son of Osiris and Isis) Horus God of the Sky (Son of Osiris and Isis) 15