Mythology in Egypt

Title: The Tale of Orisis, Isis, and Horus

Period: early 2nd century AD
Author:Plutarch
Genre :The genre of the Osiris-Isis-Horus myth in ancient Egyptian mythology falls
within the category of religious or divine narrative.
Theme: The central themes in the Osiris-Isis-Horus myth of ancient Egyptian mythology
is the concept of family, sacrifice, and the cycle of life and death.

Literary Devices: one literary device used is personification, the gods and goddesses
in the myth are often personified with human-like qualities and emotions, making them
relatable to the audience. For example, Isis’s grief and determination humanize her
character and evoke empathy from the readers.
POV: “Through the love and magic of Isis, Osiris was reborn, symbolizing the eternal
cycle of life and death in the divine realm.”
Major Characters :
1. Osiris: The god-king of Egypt who is murdered by his jealous brother Set.
2. Isis: The wife and sister of Osiris who resurrects him and protects their son Horus.
3. Horus: The son of Osiris and Isis, who avenges his father’s death and becomes the
rightful ruler of Egypt.
4. Set: The brother of Osiris who represents chaos and conflict in the myth.
5. Nephthys: The sister of Isis and Set, who plays a role in the resurrection of Osiris.
6. Anubis: The god of mummification and the afterlife, often associated with the Osiris
myth.
7. Thoth: The god of wisdom and writing, who helps Isis in her quest to resurrect Osiris.

Brief Summary:In ancient Egyptian mythology, the tale of Osiris, Isis, and Horus is a
foundational narrative that embodies themes of death, resurrection, family, and
kingship. The story revolves around Osiris, the god-king of Egypt, who is murdered by
his brother Set out of jealousy. Isis, the wife and sister of Osiris, embarks on a journey
to gather his scattered body parts and resurrect him, symbolizing renewal and the cycle
of life and death. Through the union of Osiris and Isis, their son Horus is born, who later
avenges his father’s death by defeating Set and becomes the rightful ruler of Egypt.
This myth not only explains the divine origins of the pharaohs but also reflects the
Egyptians’ beliefs in the afterlife, justice, and the eternal struggle between order and
chaos. The symbolism and significance of the Osiris-Isis-Horus myth permeated
Egyptian religious practices, art, and society, shaping their worldview and cultural
identity.

Title: Ra, The son of God

Period: around 2600 BCE
Author : Markus Carabas
Genre: Ra, The son of God can be classified under the genre of “cosmogonic myths.”
Theme: The theme of Ra, the sun god in Egyptian mythology, revolves around concepts
such as power, light, creation, and renewal.
Literary Devices: Literary devices used in the story of Ra in Egyptian mythology may
include symbolism, metaphor, personification, and imagery. Ra’s journey through the
sky could be metaphorically interpreted as the passage of time or the eternal cycle of
life. The sun god’s battle with darkness may symbolize the eternal struggle between
good and evil, light and darkness. Personification of the sun as Ra gives human-like
qualities to a celestial body, creating a more relatable and vivid narrative.
POV: “As Ra ascended into the heavens, his golden light pierced through the darkness,
banishing the shadows and heralding the dawn of a new day. With unwavering resolve,
he steered his divine barque across the vast expanse of the sky, casting his benevolent
gaze upon the earth below, ensuring that life flourished in his radiant presence.”
Major Characters:
1.Ra, the sun god and central figure
2. Nut, the sky goddess who gives birth to the sun each day and swallows him each
night;
3.Set, the god of chaos and darkness who challenges Ra on his nightly journey;
4.Thoth, the god of wisdom and knowledge
Brief Summary : The story of Ra revolves around the sun god’s daily voyage through
the sky, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Ra’s journey represents
the triumph of light over darkness, as he battles the forces of chaos to bring light,
warmth, and vitality to the world. Through vivid imagery and mythical elements, the
story of Ra explores themes of power, creation, and cosmic order, highlighting the divine
significance of the sun in ancient Egyptian belief.

As Ra sails across the heavens in his golden barque, he embodies the principles of
strength, renewal, and divine purpose, serving as a beacon of light and hope for
humanity. The story of Ra conveys profound insights into the interconnectedness of the
natural world, the celestial forces that govern existence, and the enduring legacy of one
of the most revered deities in Egyptian mythology. Through its intricate narrative and
symbolic richness, the story of Ra invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of life,
the enduring power of light, and the eternal cycle of creation and renewal that defines
the cosmos. Ra’s journey through the sky stands as a timeless testament to the
enduring significance of the sun god in Egyptian culture and the enduring impact of
ancient myths on human consciousness.

Title: Set (Egyptian God)

Period : in the Early Dynastic Period of Egypt (c. 3150 – c. 2613 BCE)
Author:
Genre: the story of Set, the Egyptian god of chaos, violence, and storms, falls within the
genre of Egyptian mythology.
Theme: The theme of the story of Set, the Egyptian god of chaos, often revolves around
concepts such as conflict, duality, power dynamics, and the struggle between order and
chaos.
Literary devices:
Symbolism may be particularly prominent in describing Set’s appearance, attributes, or
actions to symbolize chaos and conflict. Metaphors could be used to highlight Set’s
interactions with other deities or his impact on the mythological world.
Imagery might vividly depict key events involving Set, such as battles or
transformations, to evoke a sense of chaos and change in specific parts of the story.

POV: “I am the storm that reshapes destiny”

Major Characters:
1. Set: The god of chaos, storms, and violence, known for his conflict with Horus and his
disruptive nature.
2. Horus: The god of the sky and kingship, often depicted as the rival of Set and
symbolizing order and stability.
3. Osiris: The god of the afterlife, fertility, and resurrection, who is central to the myth of
Osiris and his murder by Set.
4. Isis: The goddess of magic, motherhood, and protection, known for her role in
resurrecting Osiris and aiding Horus.
5. Ra: The sun god and creator deity, a central figure in Egyptian mythology who plays a
significant role in the divine hierarchy.

Brief Summary : Seth, or Set, Ancient Egyptian god and patron of the 11th nome, or
province, of Upper Egypt. A trickster, he was a sky god, lord of the desert, and master of
storms, disorder, and warfare. He was the brother of Osiris, whom he killed, and he was
antagonistic to Horus, the child of Osiris’s sister, Isis. Seth’s cult largely died out in the
1st millennium BC, and he was gradually ousted from the Egyptian pantheon. He was
later regarded as entirely evil and identified as a god of the Persians and other invaders
of Egypt.

Title: The Goddess Ma’at

Author: Allan Morey
Period: middle of the Old Kingdom (c. 2680 to 2190 BCE).
Genre: The goddess Ma’at in Egyptian mythology is associated with the genre of
cosmic and moral mythology.
Theme: The theme of balance and harmony is central to the mythology of the goddess
Ma’at in ancient Egypt. Ma’at represents truth, justice, and cosmic order, emphasizing
the importance of maintaining equilibrium in the universe.
Literary devices: Symbolism plays a significant role, with Ma’at herself symbolizing
truth and balance through the feather on her head. The weighing of the heart against
her feather serves as a metaphor for moral judgment and the pursuit of righteousness.
Allegory is also employed, with Ma’at personifying abstract concepts such as harmony
and justice in a tangible form. The ritualistic nature of the afterlife judgment process
involving Ma’at’s feather adds a layer of ceremonial symbolism to the myth.
POV: