TN State Standard TN 6.18 Site evidence from informational texts to explain the polytheistic religion of ancient Egypt with respect to beliefs about death, the afterlife, mummification, and the roles of different deities.

Life after Death The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife of beauty, peace, and contentment. Since most of their lives were filled with hard work, they looked forward to death as a release from this lifetime. They believed their souls would need to use their bodies again, so the Egyptians invented a process to embalm their bodies called mummification. Wealthy could afford better mummification than the poor

Afterlife Myth When a person had died he was taken to the Underworld. His deeds in life were taken to the Court of Osiris for the final judgement. Before coming there the dead person had to pass a labyrinth of gates and doors and answer questions correctly to pass through. Then god Anubis took him into the courtroom presenting him the scale where his heart would be put in balance with a feather. The result was recorded by Thoth - the god of writing and wisdom.

Then Horus takes him in front of the judge Osiris for the final verdict. Behind the throne stand Isis and Nephtys.

The “Field of Reeds” was the paradise for the ancient Egyptians - to grow crops for eternity in a land that was the very image of the Nile Valley they just had left. If the heart of the deceased wasn't too heavy with sins from his life on Earth, he could continue his voyage to the afterlife and was granted a plot of land in the "Field of the Reeds”. If he failed the test on the other hand - his heart was immediately devoured by the beast Ammut sitting under the scale He was denied an eternal life in the land in the West and his soul would be restless forever.

Steps in Mummification After the body was washed and covered with scented oils, the liver and kidneys were removed and placed in jars that would be put in the coffin later. The brains were removed carefully, but the heart was left in the body because they believed it was the mind and would be needed immediately in the next life. Then the body was wrapped in either linen or rough cotton strips and a sticky tar-like mixture was poured over the cloth strips forming a protective outer covering for the body. When the mixture hardened, the mummy was placed in a wooden coffin, which was carved and painted to resemble a person. Then the mummy was laid in its tomb, along with many objects the Egyptians thought it would need for daily use in the next lifetime, such as tools, jewelry, furniture, religious statues, and food.

Mummification Process

Egyptian Gods

Ra was the sun god. He was the most important god of the Man with hawk head and headdress with a sun disk Ra was the sun god. He was the most important god of the ancient Egyptians. The ancient Egyptians believed that Ra was swallowed every night by the sky goddess Nut, and was reborn every morning.

Osiris A mummified man wearing a white cone-like headdress with feathers Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the underworld.

The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was the 'living Horus'. Man with the head of a hawk Horus was a god of the sky. He is probably most well-known as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was the 'living Horus'.

Anubis Man with a jackal head Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead. Since jackals were often seen in cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians believed thatAnubis watched over the dead.

Isis Woman with headdress in the shape of a throne Isis was a protective goddess. She used powerful magic spells to help people in need. Isis was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus.

Hathor Woman with the ears of a cow With a headdress of horns and a sun disk. Hathor was a protective goddess. She was also the goddess of love and joy. Hathor was the wife of Horus, and was sometimes thought of as the mother of the pharaoh.

Nut The Sky She and her brother, Geb (the earth), could not stop “holding hands” so now their father (Shu – air) stands between them holding them apart.

Bes Popular, household god Dwarf Very small - ugly Frightens evil spirits away Roman soldiers wore amulets with his likeness for protection

Hapy God of the Nile floods Keeps the land and river fertile He has long hair and a protruding stomach (all symbols of fertility) and also a beard and is blue In some areas, he was worshipped over Ra

Set God of evil, the desert, storms, and chaos A devil figure Hates Osiris (jealous) Kills Osiris and becomes king before he is killed by Horus Part pig and part donkey