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Stela Showing Amun-Ra, Mut & Khonsu
Stela Showing Amun-Ra, Mut & Khonsu Period, about 141-116 BCE. Xois, Egypt. Pharaoh Ptolemy VIII (170-116 BCE) is shown making an offering of Maat (a symbol of truth and justice) to the divine family Amun-Ra, Mut & Khonsu. He is followed by two queens, both named Cleopatra. This stela was erected in a sanctuary at Xois, in the Nile Delta, showing that the cult of the god Amun-Ra blossomed beyond Thebes. The British Museum (photo taken at The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia)
Questions & Answers
How long were the gods & goddesses of ancient Egypt worshipped?
- The gods & goddesses of ancient Egypt were worshipped from the Predynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE through the Roman Period of Egypt (30 BCE- 646 CE).
How did people worship the gods of ancient Egypt?
- People worshipped the gods through festivals and private rituals. There were no "worship services" as one would understand them today. Clergy communed with the god/goddess at the temple and people could visit the temple complex but were not allowed in the temple itself.
Who was the most popular deity of ancient Egypt?
- Isis was the most popular deity of ancient Egypt. Temples were raised in her honor outside of Egypt as far away as Roman Britain and her cult was a major contender with early Christianity.
Who was the most powerful deity of ancient Egypt?
- The most powerful deity of ancient Egypt was Amun. Amun was worshipped the longest and his clergy was so wealthy that their power rivaled that of the monarch.
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External Links
Ancient Egyptian Gods & Goddesses/British Museum
britishmuseum.org
Religion and gods in ancient Egypt - The Australian Museum
australian.museum
