Ancient Water Myths

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Recommended: The role of Nile in Egypt

“To write history without putting any water in it is to leave out a large part of the story. Human experience has not been so dry as that." Donald Worster said it best when talking about water in relation to history. Making up 71 percent of the earth’s surface, water is a very significant part of life. Not only is every continent surrounded by water but also water runs across it and over it. If the continents were a body than the water that courses within it are much like veins within a body. The first body of water that usually comes to one’s mind is the ocean; being the largest it carries great significance. However, rivers often shadowed by oceans reputation are still an essential part of the world. Not only do rivers make …show more content…

It has been said, “the Nile was held up to the ancient people as the source of all life in Egypt and an integral part of the lives of the gods” (Mark 1). It was because the Nile was viewed as the main source of all life in ancient Egypt that it takes part in many ancient Egyptian myths and tales. The Nile has many tales and myths but the most well-known are; the Milky Way being its celestial mirror, the Gods being the reason it flooded every year and the infamous myth of Osiris, Isis and Set. The Nile River received its name from the Greek word Neilos meaning valley or river valley. The river contains many types of sediments an important one being alluvial soil. Throughout history the Nile flooded the valley of Egypt, when this happened a thick layer of alluvial soil would be left behind, providing many benefits to the land. It is also because of the Niles many sediments that it received the name Ar or Aur which translates to “black” referring to the color allusion the Nile gives off when it floods. Since early Egypt flood control has been performed, riverbanks have been raised and canals made to channel the water over and throughout the land. Over flooding at times would cause damages to the land, property and often took lives, because of this the initiative to control flooding was taken. The construction of the Aswan dam has since put a complete halt to all uncontrolled flooding. The flooding during ancient Egypt times was a blessing from the Gods, since Egypt has almost no rainfall; the flooding provided the land the nutrients it needed to make it fertile. The Nile still continues to bless the land that surrounds it but by means of irrigation and controlled flooding

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