Section 3: Egyptian Religion

Introduction

• Afterlife:– Life after death.

• Prayers were said during the funeral.

• Help his soul into the afterlife.

• Coffin was placed in the Tomb to lay at rest.

• Began journey to the afterlife.

• Death of a Pharaoh.• 100 days.• Royal officials prepare

the body.• Wrap in strips of Linen.• Placed in Gold coffin

decorated for the king.

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

• Regional Differences:Towns had their own

Gods with Temples.Humans with Animal

heads.All worshipped certain

Gods:Ex. Sun God: Re

Over time the Egyptians came to believe in several groups of Gods.

Important Gods:Chief God:Amon- Re

Protected the rich and the poor.

Born each morning with the Sunrise in the East.

Died each night with the Sunset in the West.

Desert in the WestHome of the Dead.

Important Gods:Osiris:

God of the Living and the Dead.

Goddess Isis:His Wife. Great Mother who

protected her Children. Horus:

Sky God.Their Son.

Checking for Understanding

•Who was Osiris?

• Osiris was the God of the Living and the Dead.

Journey to the Afterlife..

Would travel to the afterlife in Heaven Boats.

If they pleased the Gods during their life would: Join Osiris to live a life of

ease and pleasure.Eat, Drink and Hang with

Friends and Family.Were buried with food,

clothing and other important items for their journey.

Preparing the Dead.. Mummy:

The preserved body. 4th Dynasty began to practice

mummification. Expensive. Took 2-3 months. The process of mummification has

two stages. First, the embalming of the body. 2nd The wrapping and burial of

the body. Amulet:

A small trinket or charm that was meant to protect the owner from evil spells or actions.

The funeral is held for the deceased and his family mourns his death.

The Funeral ..

A ritual called the 'Opening of the Mouth' is performed, allowing the deceased to eat and drink again.

Finally, the body and its coffins are placed inside a large stone sarcophagus in the tomb.

Furniture, clothing, valuable objects, food and drink are arranged in the tomb for the deceased.

Now his body is ready for its journey through the underworld.

There his heart will be judged by his good deeds on earth. If his heart is found to be pure he will be sent to live for all eternity in the beautiful 'Field of Reeds'.

• They believed that people needed their possessions in order to survive in the afterlife.

Checking for Understanding

•Why did ancient Egyptians bury their dead with food and other possessions?

The Pyramids:Huge buildings with four

sloping triangle-shaped sides.

4th Dynasty Pharaohs built these famous tombs. (Old Kingdom)

Great Pyramid:(largest)Was built in the ancient

city of Giza.Built for Pharaoh Khufu.2nd king of 4th dynasty.

The Pharaohs’ Tomb

The Building Process 2 million stones. Each stone weighed 5,000

pounds. 20-30 years to build. Built on the West side of the Nile

River: The land of the Dead. Each side faced main points of

the compass. North. South East West.

• The Pyramids were built to serve as tombs for the Egyptian Pharaohs.

Checking for Understanding

•Why did the Egyptians build the Pyramids?