Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part A
I choose King of the Dead, which tells the story of Osiris becoming the Judge and King of the dead as well as the origin of the mummy form of the Egyptian god.
Osiris was murdered and usurped by Set. The son of Osiris and Iris, Horus, was actually the rightful king so he raised an army against Set. They fought and fought through all kinds of battles until Set was driven from the kingdom.
Both Set and Horus are healed by the god Thoth, and Osiris returns to be crowned again. But everyone agrees it is Horus' right to the throne.
The story also says that there is another version, in which it ascribes the mummification to Osiris. His body was in fragments, but Iris - his wife - and Nepthys are incredibly upset. Their cries are heard by Ra, who is understanding. He has Anubis, Thoth, and Horus come down from Heaven and reunite the pieces of Osiris before they wrap him in linen cloth. This is the origin of Osiris as a mummy.
Iris flies above her husband and her wings push air back into him so that he once again regains life. He becomes the King and Judge of the dead.
The process of mummification is so heavily referred when people think about Egypt and its mythology, it is really cool to see more about it. Osiris' story is pretty cool because you can use it for the birth of zombies. That would be a fun twist to the myth.
Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).
Osiris was murdered and usurped by Set. The son of Osiris and Iris, Horus, was actually the rightful king so he raised an army against Set. They fought and fought through all kinds of battles until Set was driven from the kingdom.
Both Set and Horus are healed by the god Thoth, and Osiris returns to be crowned again. But everyone agrees it is Horus' right to the throne.
The story also says that there is another version, in which it ascribes the mummification to Osiris. His body was in fragments, but Iris - his wife - and Nepthys are incredibly upset. Their cries are heard by Ra, who is understanding. He has Anubis, Thoth, and Horus come down from Heaven and reunite the pieces of Osiris before they wrap him in linen cloth. This is the origin of Osiris as a mummy.
Iris flies above her husband and her wings push air back into him so that he once again regains life. He becomes the King and Judge of the dead.
The process of mummification is so heavily referred when people think about Egypt and its mythology, it is really cool to see more about it. Osiris' story is pretty cool because you can use it for the birth of zombies. That would be a fun twist to the myth.
Art by JasonEngle
Bibliography:Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).
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