Greek Elements in Egyptian Mythology Mr. Henderson Mythology

Greek and Egyptian History The Greeks and Egyptians had a long history of cultural sharing and trade. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian who lived from B.C. visited Egypt while writing his book, the Histories. Alexander of Macedonia conquered Egypt in 332 B.C. and built the port city of Alexandria, though he respected the established religions and customs.

Extinction of the Egyptian Language The ancient Egyptian language, an Afro-Asiatic language, survived as a written language until around 400 A.D. but at that time it was used primarily as a religious text. By the first century A.D. it had already come to be replaced by Coptic script, an alphabetic writing system derived from the Greek alphabet. As a spoken language, Egyptian was finally replaced by Arabic in the 17 th century A.D.

Greek Texts on Egypt Until the hieroglyphic writing was deciphered in the 19 th century, most of what was known about ancient Egypt came from Greek texts. Trade across the Mediterranean went both ways, stories from Egypt and certain religious practices were assimilated into Greek culture. Some of these elements also filtered into Roman culture.

The Phoenix The myth of the Phoenix was recorded by the author Herodotus, during his visit to Egypt. Though depicted as an eagle in Greco-Roman art, the myth is actually based off the heron, and animal the Egyptians called the benu. The benu, which flies from the water with the rising sun, was associated with Ra.

The Benu in Art

Sphinxes The Egyptians would often depict the head of a pharaoh on the body of a lion; especially in statuary. To the Egyptians the lion epitomized courage and ferocity in battle. Even in ancient times, Greeks who saw such statues called them “sphinxes” after the monster who plagues Thebes in the Oedipus myth.

The Great Sphinx The Great Sphinx of Giza was built around 2500 B.C. It is though to be the likeness of the pharaoh Kafra. The Sphinx’s nose is missing as is its ceremonial beard. Until 1925 it was buried up to its chest, later excavations unearthed its paws.

Sphinxes in Art

The Cult of Isis The Egyptian goddess Imet was called Isis by the Greeks, which is how she is chiefly known, even to this day. Her cult was very popular and by the 3 rd century B.C. (following the conquest by Alexander) her cult had arrived in mainland Greece. She was also popular in the Roman Empire, and numerous statues of her survive.

The Goddess Isis in Art