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.

Fifty Centuries of Egyptian Sacred Space

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.

Discussion Questions

  1. Discuss the importance of sun temples in Egyptian religious life.

  2. The temples of the New Kingdom were different than those of the Old and Middle Kingdoms. How were they different? What is unique about their structure?

  3. The inner sanctum in Egyptian temples is very small. What is the meaning or purpose of this small space?

  4. Discuss the significance of Karnac in Egyptian religion and culture.

  5. Later Egytpian temples are built of sandstone unlike earlier temples which were built of limestone. What is the difference? How did this change in building material change the structure and appearances of the temples?

  6. Amon is one of the universal Egyptian gods. How did this god become so important?

  7. Abu Simbel served a political as well as religious purpose. What was the political significance of this massive structure?

  8. Life for the average person in ancient Egypt was different than that of the pharaoh and his family. Compare and contrast the lives of Egyptian peasant to that of the royal family.

  9. Every religion or belief system has a setting and procedure for its rituals. What are the settings and procedures for the rituals of your belief system?

  10. Why were the temples of Akhenaten so light and airy in comparison with the temples of previous pharaohs?

  11. How are Jewish houses of worships, or synagogues, constructed in Egypt?

  12. What is the heart of the link between ancient Egypt and Judaism?

  13. What are the origins of the Christian monastery?

  14. Discuss the differences between Islamic, Christian and Jewish rituals.
Extended Activities

  1. Using the medium of your choice design and create your own obelisk.

  2. Design a temple according to the fashion used during the Middle Kingdom.
Primary Sources
  • Hymn to Ra
    Nekht, The Captain Of Soldiers, The Royal Scribe, Singeth A Hymn Of Praise To Ra, And Saith:

    Homage to thee, O thou glorious Being, thou who art dowered [with all sovereignty]. O Tem-Heru-Khuti (Tem-Harmakhis), when thou risest in the horizon of heaven a cry of joy goeth forth to thee from all people. O thou beautiful Being, thou dost renew thyself in thy season in the form of the Disk, within thy mother Hathor. Therefore in every place every heart swelleth with joy at thy rising for ever. The regions of the South and the North come to thee with homage, and send forth acclamations at thy rising on the horizon of heaven, and thou illuminest the Two Lands with rays of turquoise-[coloured] light. O Ra, who art Heru-Khuti, the divine man-child, the heir of eternity, self-begotten and self-born, king of the earth, prince of the Tuat (the Other World), governor of Aukert, thou didst come from the Water-god, thou didst spring from the Sky-god Nu, who doth cherish thee and order thy members. O thou god of life, thou lord of love, all men live when thou shinest; thou art crowned king of the gods. The goddess Nut embraceth thee, and the goddess Mut enfoldeth thee at all seasons. Those who are in thy following sing unto thee with joy, and they bow down their foreheads to the earth when they meet thee, the lord of heaven, the lord of the earth, the King of Truth, the lord of eternity, the prince of everlastingness, thou sovereign of all the gods, thou god of life, thou creator of eternity, thou maker of heaven wherin thou art firmly stablished.

    The Company of the Gods rejoice at thy rising, the earth is glad when it beholdeth thy rays; the people who have been long dead come forth with cries of joy to behold thy beauties every day. Thou goest forth each day over heaven and earth, and thou art made strong each day be thy mother Nut. Thou passest over the heights of heaven, thy heart swelleth with joy; and the Lake of Testes (the Great Oasis) is content thereat. The Serpent-fiend hath fallen, his arms are hewn off, the Knife hath severed his joints. Ra liveth by Maat (Law), the beautiful! The Sektet Boat advanceth and cometh into port. The South and the North, and the West and East, turn to praise thee. O thou First, Great God (PAUTA), who didst come into being of thine own accord, Isis and Nephthys salute thee, they sing unto thee songs of joy at thy rising in the boat, they stretch out their hands unto thee. The Souls of the East follow thee, and the Souls of the West praise thee. Thou art the Ruler of all the gods. Thou in thy shrine hast joy, for the Serpent-fiend Nak hath been judged by the fire, and thy heart shall rejoice for ever. Thy mother Nut is esteemed by thy father Nu.

Classroom Materials