The Mythology and Religion of the Ancient Egyptians

Africa may have given rise to the first humans, and Egypt probably gave rise to the first great civilizations, which continue to fascinate modern societies across the globe nearly 5,000 years later. From the Library and Lighthouse of Alexandria to the Great Pyramid at Giza, the Ancient Egyptians produced several wonders of the world, revolutionized architecture and construction, created some of the world's first systems of mathematics and medicine, and established language and art that spread across the known world. With world-famous leaders like King Tut and Cleopatra, it's no wonder that today's world has so many Egyptologists.

Some of the most recognizable images of ancient Egypt, from the mummies to the pyramids, make clear how important religion was to the Egyptians. Unlike modern Western countries, Ancient Egypt was not a secular society but one where religion played a role in even the most mundane daily occurrences, and religion and myth were used to explain how and why the Nile River flooded. It also justified the absolute power of the king, who was considered not only divinely chosen for the role but divine himself. As a result the pharaoh was expected to serve as a sort of intermediary who curried the gods' favor through rituals, sacrifices, offerings, and other practices, even while various cults and temples also sought the same goals and engaged in religious practices.