The Ancient Egyptian Pantheon
An introduction to the major gods and goddesses who governed the cosmos, life, and the afterlife, ordered systematically.
I. Creation & Primeval Deities (Cosmogony)
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Atum | Creator god who emerged from the primeval waters and initiated creation. | Read More |
| Nun | Personification of the primordial waters before creation. | Read More |
| Naunet | Female counterpart of Nun, representing the infinite watery abyss. | Read More |
| Amun | Hidden creator god later merged with Ra as supreme deity. | Read More |
| Ptah | Creator god who brought the world into being through thought and speech. | Read More |
II. Solar Deities
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ra | Sun god and supreme ruler of the cosmos, source of life and kingship. | Read More |
| Khepri | Morning sun god associated with rebirth and transformation. | Read More |
| Aten | Solar disk worshiped as the sole god during the Amarna period. | Read More |
| Horakhty | Composite solar deity representing Horus of the Horizon. | Read More |
III. Kingship & State Gods
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Horus | Falcon god of kingship, protector of the pharaoh. | Read More |
| Seth | God of chaos, storms, and disorder, rival of Horus. | Read More |
| Montu | Falcon-headed god of war and royal power. | Read More |
| Wadjet | Cobra goddess protecting Lower Egypt and the king. | Read More |
| Nekhbet | Vulture goddess protecting Upper Egypt and royal authority. | Read More |
IV. Osirian Cycle (Death & Resurrection)
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Osiris | God of the afterlife, resurrection, and rightful kingship. | Read More |
| Isis | Goddess of magic, motherhood, and protector of the dead. | Read More |
| Nephthys | Goddess of mourning, protection, and funerary rites. | Read More |
| Horus the Younger | Son of Osiris and Isis, avenger and rightful king of Egypt. | Read More |
V. Funerary & Afterlife Deities
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Anubis | Jackal god of mummification and protector of tombs. | Read More |
| Wepwawet | Opener of the Ways, guide of souls in the afterlife. | Read More |
| Sokar | God of the necropolis and funerary rituals. | Read More |
| Ma'at | Goddess of truth, justice, and cosmic balance. | Read More |
| Ammit | Devourer of souls unworthy in the judgment of the dead. | Read More |
VI. Wisdom, Writing & Magic
VII. Fertility, Life & Nature
| Deity | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hathor | Goddess of love, music, joy, and motherhood. | Read More |
| Bastet | Cat goddess of protection, fertility, and domestic harmony. | Read More |
| Sekhmet | Lioness goddess of destruction, healing, and divine vengeance. | Read More |
| Taweret | Hippopotamus goddess protecting childbirth and mothers. | Read More |
| Bes | Dwarf god of protection, music, and family life. | Read More |
VIII. Crafts, Agriculture & Daily Life
IX. Foreign & Composite Deities
Sacred Texts & Religious Books
A guide to the most important funerary and religious literature, from the Pyramid Texts to the Book of the Dead.
I. Old Kingdom Sacred Texts
| Text | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramid Texts | Earliest funerary inscriptions carved inside royal pyramids to ensure the king's ascent to the afterlife. | Read More |
| Offering Ritual Texts | Formulae describing food, drink, and ritual provisions for the deceased king. | Read More |
| Ascension Spells | Texts enabling the king to rise to the sky and join the gods. | Read More |
III. Middle Kingdom Religious Literature
| Text | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Coffin Texts | Expanded funerary spells for non-royals, emphasizing protection and afterlife navigation. | Read More |
| Book of Two Ways | Illustrated cosmological map guiding the soul through the dangers of the underworld. | Read More |
| Spell for the Opening of the Mouth | Ritual texts restoring senses to the deceased for eternal life. | Read More |
IV. New Kingdom Funerary Books
| Text | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Book of the Dead | Illustrated papyrus spells ensuring safe passage, judgment, and rebirth. | Read More |
| Amduat | Description of the sun god's nightly journey through the underworld. | Read More |
| Book of Gates | Text outlining gates and guardians encountered in the Duat. | Read More |
| Book of Caverns | Underworld text focused on punishment and rebirth. | Read More |
| Litany of Ra | Hymns praising the sun god's many forms during the night journey. | Read More |
Afterlife Beliefs & Mummification
Discover the Egyptian concept of the soul, the perilous journey to the Field of Reeds, and the intricate process of mummification.
I. Core Beliefs of the Afterlife
| Concept | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Life | Belief that death was a transition to an eternal existence rather than an end. | Read More |
| Ma'at | Cosmic order and moral law governing both life and the afterlife. | Read More |
| Judgment of the Dead | Divine trial determining whether the soul was worthy of eternal life. | Read More |
II. Components of the Human Being
| Component | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ka | Spiritual life force that required offerings to survive after death. | Read More |
| Ba | Individual personality capable of movement between worlds. | Read More |
| Akh | Transfigured spirit achieved after successful judgment. | Read More |
| Ib (Heart) | Seat of memory and morality judged in the afterlife. | Read More |
V. Mummification Process (Step-by-Step)
| Step | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Purification | Washing the corpse with water and natron. | Read More |
| Removal of the Brain | Extracted through the nose using metal instruments. | Read More |
| Evisceration | Removal of internal organs except the heart. | Read More |
| Canopic Jars | Containers protecting the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. | Read More |
| Drying with Natron | Dehydration process lasting approximately 40 days. | Read More |
| Wrapping in Linen | Layered bandaging with protective amulets. | Read More |
| Funerary Mask | Idealized portrait enabling recognition in the afterlife. | Read More |