Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Name and describe Egyptian gods and some roles in ancient belief: Ra and the sun, Osiris and the afterlife, Isis and magic and motherhood, Anubis and mummification, Horus and the sky, Thoth and writing, and Bastet and home protection. Explain that gods could have several roles and forms, and could share them.
What a learner can do afterwards
- Name at least four Egyptian gods/goddesses and describe their roles
- Describe how animal forms could show gods' powers, and recognise that some reasons for these forms are uncertain
- Understand that Egyptians built temples as homes for the gods and performed daily rituals there
1 · Read
Egyptians believed in many gods with different, sometimes shared powers. In myths, Ra sailed the sun across the sky daily in a boat. Anubis protected the dead during mummification, preserving bodies for the afterlife. Bastet, shown with a cat head, protected homes and families. Thoth was linked to writing and knowledge. Horus was a falcon-headed sky god. His eyes represented the sun and moon. Gods could also look like people.
Animal forms could show a god's powers. Anubis had a jackal head. Jackals lived near burial grounds, perhaps linking him to guarding the dead. Bastet's cat head suggested protection of homes. Thoth's ibis head represented a god of writing and knowledge; why this bird was chosen is uncertain. Falcons fly high and see far, fitting Horus's sky role. Different gods could share an animal form.
Different animal forms could express different powers.
Egyptians built temples as homes for gods. They believed a god could live in a temple statue. Priests cared for these statues daily, washing and dressing them and offering food. These rituals honoured the god's presence in the temple.
A role is something a god was believed to do. A god could have several roles, and different gods could share a role. Osiris ruled the afterlife. Isis was linked to magic, motherhood and protection. Thoth was linked to both writing and the moon. Stories and pictures of gods could change over time.
Egyptian gods could have several roles and forms. Animal images expressed their powers, and priests cared for statues in temples.
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24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.