What were the gods of Egypt and what were their functions?

We're about to explore one of the world's most ancient cultures! Come and discover who the gods of Egypt were and what their roles were!

One of the most mysterious cultures that generates the most curiosity among people who are not familiar with it is, without a doubt, the culture of Ancient Egypt.

Amidst all the customs and beliefs immortalized by the Egyptians, it is undeniable that an aura of mystery was created around the habits adopted by them and how society functioned at that time.

And among the themes that most attract the curiosity of the general public – such as the traditional pyramids, the curious stages of a mummification process and the impressive sarcophagi where the most noble were buried – one of the ones that draws the most attention is Egyptian mythology and the gods that were part of it!

But after all, who were the gods of Egypt and what were their functions? 

That's what we're going to find out in today's content! Here, we'll understand a little more about how the beliefs adopted by the Egyptians worked and what each of these gods represented for the people who lived in Ancient Egypt!

Why were there multiple gods in Ancient Egypt?

As you may already know, the beliefs of the people of Ancient Egypt did not involve just one, but several gods.

But do you know why this happened? 

This happened because, unlike what is practiced by Christianity – which only has God as its belief, that is, monotheism – the Egyptian people became known for practicing polytheism.

Polytheism consists of the belief in and/or worship of more than one deity. And each of these entities has its own individuality and personality.

In other words: each of the gods worshipped by the people of Ancient Egypt – and by all religions and cultures that adopt polytheism – are known to govern their own areas and activities.

In addition to the culture of Ancient Egypt, religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and some African tribal religions also adopt polytheism, dividing their beliefs between several gods and goddesses.

What were the gods of Egypt and what were their functions?

After understanding a little more about polytheism, it's time to dive into the main theme of our text today!

Next, you will discover who the gods of Egypt were – at least the most important ones for Egyptian culture – and what their functions were according to the people's beliefs.

And before we begin, it is worth remembering another peculiarity of the religion. For the Egyptians, the representation of the gods – most of the time – was done by mixing human and animal characteristics, giving the gods unique aspects.

Starting our list of Egyptian gods with Ra, one of the main gods in Egyptian mythology.

Starting our list with one of the most important gods of Egypt, we have Ra. Known as the Sun God, Ra held a prominent position in the pantheon of Egyptian gods.

During a certain point in Egyptian history, Ra was considered the most powerful god and creator of the Universe.

Represented by the form of a falcon, his function was to govern the living and the dead.

Isis

If Ra was considered one of the most prominent gods in Egyptian mythology, Isis can easily be elected the most important goddess in Egypt.

Isis – whose name means “goddess of the throne” – lived up to her name, as the goddess was considered the mother of all pharaohs.

According to mythology, Isis was the one who helped the dead reach the long-awaited afterlife.

Osiris

Another god that deserves to be highlighted on our list is Osiris. According to Egyptian belief, Osiris was the god responsible for judging the dead in his court.

Furthermore, Osiris was also considered the god who taught the first men to take care of the soil and to plant their food. And it was exactly for this reason that he came to be considered the god who invented agriculture.

According to mythology, he was killed by his brother Set, but was resurrected by Isis, his sister and wife.

Amon

Amun was also considered the god of the sun and air. According to Egyptian mythology, Amun was one of the most important gods in history and, like Ra, was also placed in a prominent position among the gods.

So much so that, at a certain point in the history of Ancient Egypt, there was a unification of the cults of Amun and Ra. This union gave rise to the deity Amun-Ra.

Anubis

One of the best-known gods when it comes to Egyptian mythology around the world, the figure of Anubis is probably the most popular among the gods of Ancient Egypt.

Considered the god of the dead and the sick, Anubis was considered responsible for guiding souls after death. Son of Osiris and Nephthys – another goddess who is part of Egyptian mythology – Anubis was represented by his human body and a jackal's head. 

Horus

Considered the god of the pharaohs, the heavens, the living and families, Horus was the figure responsible for the birth of the days.

Son of Isis and Osiris, Horus was always represented with the head of a falcon and the body of a man. 

Seth

Representing chaos, wars, darkness and betrayal, Seth was Osiris' brother and was responsible for murdering Osiris.

According to mythology, the murder took place after Seth discovered that Osiris had impregnated Nephthys, Seth's wife.

In mythology, Seth is represented by the body of a man and the characteristic head of an anteater.

These are just some of the main gods of Egypt. In addition to these, there are several other gods who were responsible for various areas of the world.

Conclusion

So, did you already know these Egyptian gods and their functions? 

It is worth remembering that we have only listed some of the main gods of Egypt, since the Egyptian civilization believed in hundreds of gods who, in different ways, contributed to preserving the harmony of the Universe.

But anyway, with the information gathered here, it was possible to explore a little more about this curious and nuanced religion. And that is fascinating!

Did you like today's content? Then take the opportunity to read it too How important was the Book of the Dead to the Egyptians?