1. Ancient Egyptian Religion
Ancient World History 1

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Atum
The Creator God

9. 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

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

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

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

13. Anubis
God of Mummification 13

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

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