Egypt: Land of the Gods

Long acknowledged as an integral part of the heritage of western civilization, ancient Egypt’s importance to world history cannot be exaggerated, especially in the context of religions. At least three of the world’s major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—can trace their roots and/or early dissemination to the land of the Nile. These religions, especially the Coptic Church branch of Christianity, can even find parallels between many of their practices and rituals and the ancient religion of the pharaohs. Today, Egypt’s landscape is dotted with the churches, temples and mosques of these religions that stand alongside the temples of Isis, Osiris, Horus and other ancient Egyptian deities. This special presentation of the History Channel explores the religious history and influences of ancient Egypt. Egypt: Land of the Gods would be useful for classes on Ancient History, World History, Religious History, World Culture, Archeology and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school students.

Cradle of Religion

Objectives
Students will explore the history and influence of world religions in Egypt. They will examine the relationship between contemporary and ancient religions, as well as their commonalities and differences. They will learn the basic tenets of ancient Egyptian religion as well as Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

National History Standards
Egypt: Land of the Gods fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for World History eras 3 and 4.

• attribute
• beneficent
• impede
• inundation
• malevolent
• nocturnal
• pantheon
• placate
• precursor
• primordial
• serenity
• tangible

Discussion Questions

1. The religion of ancient Egypt is one that many scholars have devoted their lives to studying. What are the basic tenets or beliefs of this religion?

2. Discuss the concept of cosmic harmony. What was the role of this concept in the religion of ancient Egypt?

3. Historians divide ancient Egyptian civilization into three main eras. What are they?

4. Every religion has a creation myth. What is the creation myth of Egyptian religion? What is the creation myth of your religion or belief system? Compare and contrast them.

5. Horus is one of the most important deities in Egyptian religion. What does the name Horus mean?

6. How did the ancient Egyptians explain the rising and setting of the sun?

7. Discuss the importance of the pharaoh in Egyptian religion.

8. What was the temple cult?

9. Egypt experienced a religious revolution under the Pharaoh Akhenaten. What was this revolution? What were the effects of the revolution?

10. What is univalent logic?

11. The Ptolemy Dynasty ruled Egypt for over three hundred years. How did the Ptolemy Dynasty come to power?

12. How did Christianity come to Egypt?

13. Discuss the similarities between Egyptian religion and Coptic Christianity.

14. What are the origins of Islam? What is the connection between Islam and Egypt?

15. Why are there no pictures of Mohammed, the prophet of Islam?

Extended Activities

1. Research Egyptian Gods on the Internet and use your data to create a poster or mobile illustrating some of the major gods and goddesses.

2. Hieroglyphics is the written picture language of Egypt. Create your own set of hieroglyphics, including a key so others can understand your language.

Primary Sources

• The Great Hymn to the Aten
  Inscription, West wall of the tomb of Ay, Tell el-Amarna

  When you set in western lightland, One sleeps in chambers, heads covered, One eye does not see another, Were they robbed of their goods, That are under their heads, People would not remark it, Every lion comes from its den, All the serpents bite; Darkness hovers, earth is silent, As their maker rests in lightland. Earth brightens when you dawn in lightland, When you shine as Aten of daytime; As you cast your rays, The Two Lands are in festivity. Awake they stand on their feet, You have roused them; Bodies cleansed, clothed, Their arms adore your appearance. The entire land sets out to work, All beasts browse on their herbs; Trees, herbs are sprouting, Birds fly from their nests, Their wings greeting your ka, All flocks frisk on their feet, All that fly up and alight, They live when you dawn for them. Ships fare north, fare south as well, Roads lie open when you rise; The fish in the river dart before you, Your rays are in the midst of the sea. Who makes seed grow in women, Who creates people from sperm; Who feeds the son in his mother's womb, Who soothes him to still his tears. Nurse in the womb, Giver of breath, To nourish all that he made, When he comes from the womb to breathe, On the day of his birth, You open wide his mouth, You supply his needs. When the chick in the egg speaks in the shell, You give him breath within to sustain him; When you have made him complete, To break out from the egg, He comes out from the egg, To announce his completion, Walking on his legs he comes from it.