Ancient Egypt Beliefs

Ancient Egyptian Values For all ancient people, the world was filled with mystery. Much of what they experienced in the world around them was unknowable and frightening. The ancient Egyptian civilization being one of the oldest civilizations known to us dates from the 4th millennium BCE. It has been developed based on the beliefs and values Egyptians created. Its many achievements, preserved in its art and monuments, hold a fascination that continues to grow as archaeological finds expose its secrets. Because of many explorations and discoveries done by archeologist and scientists we now know quite a lot about ancient Egyptian life, their culture and values that kept their civilization

It was the most important aspect of their lives and it guided them throughout their history. Their religion was in everything thay have done and everywhere they have gone. It strongly influenced by tradition, which caused them to resist change. It was so widely acknowledged that it did not even need a name. The religion of Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic (many gods) religion with one short period of monotheism (one god). Their religion hosted about 700 different gods and goddesses. Portrayed human bodies with animal heads, ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses dominated every aspect of life of both royalty and ordinary people. The culture of ancient Egypt was based upon the belief in a pantheon of these gods, who were worshiped in temples throughout Egypt with an aim to gain their favor. Most Egyptian gods represented one principle aspect of the world: Ra was the sun god, for example, and Nut was goddess of the sky. They also had gods

Divine Kingship is the belief that the Pharaoh was not only the King (political ruler) but also a god. He was believed to be a combination of the divine and the mortal, the link between the gods and mankind. Due to their beliefs, the Pharaoh held an immense amount of power. He was the chief priest of the cult of every god, and the leader of Egypt's army. Temple decoration shows the king in battle and in cult activities. The king was expected to perform rituals, build temples to honor the gods, and endow them with offerings. In return for this service, the gods passed down their favor to Egypt via the king. As a divine ruler, the pharaoh was the preserver of the god-given order, called “maat”, universal harmony in the country. He made laws, owned all the lands in Egypt’s and directed its use, was responsible for his people’s economic and spiritual welfare, and dispensed justice to his subjects. He made war or defended the country against aggression. His will was supreme, and he governed by royal decree. Such monuments as the great pyramid, and in a broader way the endless undertakings of Ramses II, illustrate the extents to which the king could dominate the Egyptian society and appropriate its resources. In addition, the priests in Ancient Egypt were also very powerful. When things were going well, the people believed the priest and pharaoh were doing their jobs well; when things in the