Religion in Ancient Egypt

Religion  Religion was strongly influenced by tradition, which caused them to resist change.  Did not questions beliefs handed down to them.  Tried to keep society as it was at the time of creation.

Divine Kingship  Divine Kingship is the belief that the Pharaoh was not only the King (political ruler) but also a god.  The Pharaoh was associated with Horus, son of Re the sun god.  At death he became Osiris, or an Osiris, and would help the Egyptians in their afterlife.  The Pharaoh held an immense amount of power.

Divine Kingship  When things were going well, the people believed the priest and pharaoh were doing their jobs well.  when things in the country were not going well, the people believed the pharaoh and the priest were to blame.

Pharaoh’s Duty  Every morning the Pharaoh would enter the House of Morning and bathe.  Ra would do the same in heaven and would now be able to act through the Pharaoh.  He then was anointed, clothed by priests wearing the masks of Osiris and Horus.

Pharaoh’s Duty  Next he went to the temple and officiated a ceremony.  This was designed to implant spirituality in all the ceremonies taking place throughout the empire.  People believed the day would not start without the pharaoh doing this daily ritual.  Through him Ra could work.  How does this make the society stable?

Pharaoh Luck  It was a sign of bad luck if the Pharaoh’s shadow or staff touched another.  It would bring bad luck to the person  Sign of privilege be allowed to kiss his feet instead of the ground in front of him.  Could not utter his real name.  Pharaoh means house.

Pharaoh Marriage  Pharaohs were believed to have the blood of Ra in their veins.  It was important not to dilute it by marrying those not in their family.  Pharaohs would marry sisters, cousins, and daughters to ensure they had a royal heir.  This is carried on from Osiris.  No one else in society was permitted to do this.

Pharaoh Marriage  He also had a selection of political wives to cement alliances with other kingdoms.  He also had a harem of Dancing Wives who he may or may not recognize.  The children from dancing wives may not be recognized.

Pharaoh Power  At times pharaohs may have been too young or immature to run the country.  Behind the seen the Viziers would actually run the country.  In public it was important for the pharaoh to be seen as in charge.  His rule was never questioned in public.  They knew Egypt would disintegrate if the institution broke down.

Pharaoh Power  The pharaoh’s word was law.  Right was what the Pharaoh liked and wrong was what the Pharaoh disliked.  This tremendous power kept Egypt stable.