Essay On Egyptian Religion

Ancient Egypt One of the greatest and most enduring human civilizations established itself in the Nile Valley. Over thousands of years the Egyptians shaped their civilization and have portrayed their canonical nature within their art, literature, and architecture. The Egyptians adhered to their rules and their standards of belief and behavior in their daily lives. The artistic canon is well represented in Egyptian tomb paintings. For the Egyptians, art was made to serve a particular purpose, usually a religious one.

The Nile was an important part of Egyptian life both in regard to their day to day livelihood and in regard to their concepts of the afterlife. Abydos was a cultural and religious center that held importance not just for those that lived there but to the region as a whole. Many Egyptian pharaohs had temples built at Abydos for their worship after they had traveled to the afterlife. Not surprisingly, the more affluent Egyptians at Abydos had tombs constructed incorporating drawings and murals depicting servitude to the gods and other activities in which they expected to participate when they joined with the gods (Casson 42). Included in the tomb would be grave goods such as food, clothing, musical instruments and anything else that would make the afterlife more pleasant for the owner of... ... middle of paper ... ...ive Egyptian images took the place of those from Mesopotamia as the new kings focuses solely on their lands and responsibilities as great leaders of a great civilization.

In Tutankhamun’s tomb the canoptic jars were discovered in a shrine that was found in the treasury room of the tomb. Source B is useful is when understanding the mummification process. Ancient Egyptian burial rituals and customs have evolved over time as source C depicts. Source C is relief illustrating the evol... ... middle of paper ... ...ts the roles of the gods in the death of a pharaoh. Along the journey to the underworld the deceased’s spirit would have to argue their case with gods, strange creatures and gatekeepers in order to reach Osiris and the Hall of Final Judgment, where they would plead their case to be allowed to enter the afterlife.

This myth, although mostly incomplete, was central to the Egyptian religion. It explained the importance of the Pharaoh, Ma’at, and establishes the Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and magic. Egyptian mythology evolved and grew, like many other mythologies in other civilizations. The mythology, like every religion, was important to the Egyptian way of life. It was a guide that explained how to live their lives and to survive their death.

For example, the king of gods, Horus, who held the title of ‘sky god’ and ‘protector of pharaohs’ had temples of worship, received offerings and statues in his honor. Egyptian gods were often depicted with a human body and an animal head. Each god had their own purpose, and was associated with symbols and traits. These characteristics were what ancient Egyptians used to depict their gods in paintings, carvings and sculptures. Much of ancient Egypt’s art is based off of their gods and pharaohs.

Since they believed that after they died, they had an afterlife, Pharaohs had wonderful, hidden burial tombs or pyramids constructed, so they could continue a life after death. Many treasures and material goods were buried in with them for use in the afterlife they believed in. There were many different pharaohs who ruled in ancient Egyptian at this time and some became more famous than others. Khufu had the Great Pyramid of Giza constructed, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Kahafra, son of Khufu, had the second pyramid at Giza built as well as the Great Sphinx.

Ancient Egyptians were very religious people with various beliefs and gods. Ancient Egypt consisted of the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. Not only is Ancient Egypt known for their outstanding architecture in pyramids, but also, their astonishing understanding of the human body. Mummification began around c.3500 BCE and by the Old Kingdom it had become a standard practice. Everything Egyptians did, including mummification had to do with their religious beliefs.

During his time of rule Egyptian had very barbaric characteristics. He is believed to have taught the Egyptian the way of agriculture and how to worship gods. However, with the conflict faced between Seth and Osiris he also became the god of the afterlife. After his time of rule, the book of the dead became a very important piece of history for the people of ancient Egypt, especially when it pertained to the idea of the afterlife. The book of the dead was “a collection of spells and illustrations written on a papyrus roll” (Taylor 5).

Many common forms of religion influenced art consist of sculpture, oil painting, fresco painting as well as poetry. It is almost impossible to study the Western culture without taking religious influences into account. In Ancient Egypt, Gods are always depicted in art. Egyptians worship Gods for several of reasons. In order to achieve longevity of life and prosperous crop, they created art as homage to their God.

Anubis was the Egyptian god of embalming and the keeper of secrets. He was associated with the mummification and protection of the dead and journey to the afterlife. He was portrayed man with a jackal’s head, or in jackal form holding a flail in the crook of his arm and wearing a ribbon. In the Old Kingdom he was the most important God, where he was associated with the burial of the pharaoh. He was very important because the Egyptians worshiped two things: 1. the gods and 2.