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Ancient Egyptian Theocracy

Theocracy's Effect on Egyptian Culture

The religious beliefs of the Egyptians made up all of their history, many of the things they did in their everyday lives, were to please or worship the gods. The mummification of their pharaohs, the elaborate paintings and crafts. Even the lowest on the social pyramid had a role in worshipping and tending to the gods.

Social Status in Ancient Egyptian Theocracy

Polytheism

The pharaohs, of course, were at the top of the social pyramid in ancient egypt, due to their godliness. Priests and nobles came second in status. Only the nobles could hold government posts. Priests were responsible for pleasing the gods so they were very important to the pharaoh and egyptians. Next in status were the craftsmen, merchants and other skilled workers. Merchants sold the goods made by craftsmen. Below them were the farmers. The farmers provided food for all of Egypt but had a very low social status. On the bottom are peasants. Peasants would have been construction workers or servants.

Polytheism is the belief of multiple deities or gods and goddesses. Egyptians were polytheistic. Over 2,000 gods and goddesses were worshiped by the Egyptians. Many ancient civilizations were polytheistic, including the Greeks, the Norse and the Romans.

10 most worshipped Gods and Goddesses of Egypt

  • Amun - King of the Gods
  • Mut - The Mother Goddess
  • Osiris - God of the dead and ruler of the underworld
  • Anubis - God of embalming and the dead
  • Ra - The sun god (most important god in egyptian history
  • Horus - The sky god
  • Thoth - God of the moon, magic and writing
  • Hathor - Goddess of music, dance, motherhood. AKA Lady of Heaven, Earth and Underworld
  • Sekhmet - Goddess of war and healing
  • Geb - God of Earth

What is a theocracy?

A theocracy is a type of government in which rule is based upon religious authority. The word theocracy orginates from the Greeks and means "rule by god". Theocracies are basically monarchies except their laws, rules and elections are based entierly on faith.

Countries today with Theocracy

Yemen, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Mauritania are all Islamic theocracies. Vatican City is the only other theocracy country and it is the home of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pharaoh's Association with Theocracy

When a pharaoh was crowned in Egypt it was believed that the Ka (soul) of Horus went into the pharaoh's body and gave him guidance. Horus was the sky god, son of the sun god, Re. Horus, a falcon-headed god, was among the most important Egyptian gods because the pharaoh was it's earthly embodiment. Pharaoh's were seen as gods on Earth. That is the reasoning for their very elaborate mummifications and burials.

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