Sekhmet
wood
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Sekhmet was the protector of all of Egypt. With the head of a lioness, she was considered to be very powerful.

Ancient Egyptians did not subscribe to only one belief system. There were many gods and goddesses; different localities worshipped their own deities. Throughout the kingdom there were as many as 2000 deities.

There was, however, a unifying belief among Ancient Egyptians: that there was a world in which they could survive beyond their mortal lifetimes. Preparation for that afterlife was an integral part of daily life in Ancient Egypt, and religious concerns were as much a part of everyday routines as finding physical sustenance. Throughout the recorded history of Egypt, people's deeds and thoughts were guided by their anticipation of an eternal existence. The certainty of an afterlife came from the cycles that defined their lives. Without rebirth, there would be no balance

All of the objects that were important to Egyptians were put into their tombs for use in the next life - cosmetics, food, clothing, jewelry. Even statues of servants - to provide manual labor - were placed in the tombs of the wealthy.

KA was considered to be the spiritual substance that enlivened a human being. During the lifetime of a mortal, the KA lived within the body. After death, it would take up residence in the mummy, or if anything should happen to the mummy, in funerary statuary in the tomb. During the funeral service, the priest would recite prayers over the body of the deceased and touch the mouth with a special tool that would "open the mouth" to accept the KA.

An afterlife was not guaranteed. Whether or not one might enjoy a life in eternity was determined by weighing one's heart against the Feather of Truth. If the heart was too heavy, it was believed that Anubis, the jackal - headed god of embalming, would eat it.

The Story Of Osiris

Osiris, god of the afterlife, appears often in Egyptian art. After creation, Osiris became king. His brother Seth then murdered him out of jealousy. His wife, Isis, found his body and brought him back to life with the help of Anubis, the god of embalming. As Lord of the Underworld, Osiris often appears with the crown of Upper Egypt and the crook and flail, symbols of kingship. Isis, his sister-wife, was one of the most popular Egyptian goddesses. The star that represented her heavenly presence was Sept. The star's appearance marked the beginning of a new year and the annual flooding of the Nile River.

Isis and Osiris had a son, Horus, who succeeded his father as king after defeating his uncle, Seth. Egyptians believed that their king was the earthly manifestation of Horus, who was often shown as a child.

Other important gods were the falcon-headed Re, the sun god; Sakhmet, who has the head of a lioness and is protectress of Egypt; and Thoth, the ibis-headed god of wisdom and writing.

Head of Priest
red and black granite
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Priests held high status in Egyptian society, and were often part of the ruling pharaoh's family. Although the majority of priests were male, some women gained status and influence through controlling the religious rituals of specific cults, such as High Priestess of Hathor.