What were the ancient beliefs, and how did they affect the Egyptian's lives?
The ancient beliefs affected the Egyptian's lives through the belief that floods, drought, and successful harvests were caused by the gods and goddesses. They would make sacrifices, pray, and give gifts to the temples of worship, to honor the gods and to ensure successful harvests and floods.
Process of embalming:
1. First, the body is taken to the tent known as 'ibu' or the 'place of purification'. There the embalmers wash the body with good-smelling palm wine and rinse it with water from the Nile.
2. Make a cut in the left side of the body and removes all the internal organs. It is important to remove these because they are the first part of the body to decompose. 3. The liver, lungs, stomach and intestines are washed and packed in natron which will dry them out. The heart is not taken out of the body because it is the center of intelligence and feelings that the body will need it in the afterlife. 4. A long hook is used to smash the brain and pull it out through the nose. 5. The body is now covered and stuffed with natron which will dry it out. All of the fluids, and rags from the embalming process will be saved and buried along with the body. 6. After forty days the body is washed again with water from the Nile. Then it is covered with oils to help the skin stay elastic. 7. The dehydrated internal organs are wrapped in linen and returned to the body. The body is stuffed with dry materials such as sawdust, leaves and linen so that it looks lifelike. 8. Finally the body is covered again with good-smelling oils. It is now ready to be wrapped in linen. 9. The internal organs were removed from the body and were placed in hollow canopic jars. 10. After seventy days wrap the body from head to toe in bandages or with linen. 11. Placed in a sarcophagus(a type of box like a coffin). |
Canopic jars representing
the four protective spirits called the Four Sons of Horus.
sarcophagus |
Gods and Goddesses
Tefnut: is a goddess of moist air, dew and rain in ancient Egyptian Religion. She is the sister and consort of the air god Shu and the mother of Geb and Nut.
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Geb: Geb is one of the most important Egyptian God in ancient Egypt history. Geb was known as the God of Earth. He is also being referred as Seb, Keb, Kebb or Gebb in various literatures and the idea of Geb as a healing god is also found in texts dealing with scorpion stings and how to heal .
This photo came from wikipedia.org
This photo came from wikipedia.org
This photo came from fromancient-egypt.info |
Ra: Ra God is the ancient Egyptian solar deity. He was believed to rule in all parts of the created world: the sky the earth, and the underworld. He was associated with the falcon or hawk . Ra was worshipped as the Creator god among some Ancient Egyptians, specifically followers of his cult at Heliopolis. It was believed that Ra wept, and from the tears he wept came man. These cult-followers believed that Ra was self-created, while followers of Ptah believed that Ra was created by Ptah. It is believed that this is the reason for pyramids of Old Kingdom worshippers at Heliopolis rarely mentioning Ptah. . Ra is also accredited with the creation of the seasons, months, plants, and animals.
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The entrance to the Great Pyramid leads to a descending passage about 1 metre wide and 1.2 metres high. The passage is at a 26 degree angle and leads to the subterranean chamber. It is believed that the subterranean chamber was either a false burial chamber to fool tomb robbers or that the king changed his mind about his final resting place .
Pyramids: The pyramids were built as part of tomb complexes for the Pharaoh's of Egypt when they died. The complex also included temples where offerings would be brought by specially employed priests to sustain and satisfy the Pharaoh's soul in the afterlife. As such the pyramid complex as a whole was related to the belief in the afterlife, a secure home for the body and soul.
This photo came from ancient-egypt
The religion of the Ancient Egyptians affected their daily lives through the belief that floods, drought, and successful harvests were caused by the gods and goddesses. As a result the Egyptians would perform sacrifices, pray, and give gifts to the temples of worship, to honor the gods/Goddesses and to make sure to have successful harvests and floods. In addition, many pharaohs and queens would boast that they were the rebirth of a god or goddess. As a result, the citizens would support them and trust them to make decisions.
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Ancient Egyptian religion was an important part of everyday life for all Egyptians (rich and poor), they built a great many temples and had shrines in their homes. Priests had to worship and make offerings to the Gods to keep the forces of chaos at bay. Much of these offerings came from the taxation of the working class. The Egyptians held daily services to attend to the statue of the God by washing, clothing, and spraying it with perfumes. The statue was offered food and drink placed at its feet, which he/she takes "spiritual nourishment" from. The leftovers were eaten by the people.
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primary source, and analyze what it tells you about ancient Egyptian religion/beliefs:
This diagram of pyramid shows how Egyptian society is shaped or formed according to what they do. Farmers, servants & slaves are at the lowest levels and then comes the scribes or the craftsmen and then the nobles or the priests and off course comes the king on top.