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.