Egyptian
Religion
The Egyptians had strong religious
beliefs. Two important gods of the Egyptians were Osiris, god of the Nile,
and Isis, god of fertility. The Egyptians believed in many gods. They believed that many
things held power. They worshipped gods of the stars, stones, and water. Each city had its
own god or goddess. The local gods were not worshipped. They were thought of as someone to
bargain with for favors. If you wanted your crops to grow, or wanted to heal an illness,
you would take food or clothing to the local temple. The priest would take the offering
and pray in a special language to the gods.
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| Photos taken at Abydos - The Temple
of Osirisv |
 |
 |
Photos courtesy and ©
1992 Steven Beikirch, Ancient Egypt |
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| Photos taken at Aswan - The Temple
of Isis |
 |
 |
Photos courtesy and ©
1992 Steven Beikirch, Ancient Egypt |
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Holy Family
Isis (mother)
drawn as a beautiful and graceful woman |
Osiris (father)
king of the afterlife
often shown with face of the reigning pharaoh |
Horus (son)
often drawn with the head of a falcon
traits - good hunter, can travel very fast |
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| Photos taken at Edfu
- The Temple of Horus |
 |
 |
| Photos courtesy and ©
1992 Steven Beikirch, Ancient Egypt |
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Partial List of Egyptian
Gods
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Ammut - part-crocodile and part-lion -
fierce goddess |
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Amun-Re - most powerful god of Egypt in
New Kingdom; bringer of life - sun |
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Anubis - jackal-headed god; god of the
dead person; guardian of tombs and pyramids |
 |
Bastet - daughter of Re; head of a cat;
goddess of joy |
|
Bes - jolly dwarf-god |
Photo
courtesy and ©1996 Richard Deurer, Ancient Gallery Directory
Used with permission.
|
Hathor - cow-headed goddess - goddess of
love, joy, women, childbirth, and music; protector of the dead Photo of Hathor taken at Dendera - Temple of Hathor |
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