This was posted on an appropriate forum, but the OP never responded to our encouragement to help us do her homework. Stringer and I thought it would be a zingy discussion topic. If you don't wish to participate, please gather 'round the dessert table Alty has set up in the hallway near the washrooms. (Yes, the desserts are leftovers from New Year's Day dinner, but still very edible. If you see any pet hairs, just pick them out.) The homework question was:

Explain what the significance and importance of the gods were to the ancient Egyptian people.

I am so excited.

Well, to begin with the Egyptians believed in an afterlife. I believe it was their goal to obtain an eternal life via their god/s.

Take it away... WG or anyone...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stringer

the Egyptians believed in an afterlife.

---

Did every Egyptian get to go to the afterlife, or only royalty?

Ancient egyptians believed that if you had a purpose in life, entrance to the afterlife would be possible; if you were a bricklayer, then that was possible, if your were a weaver then that was possible too. Not everyone had entrance, royalty had an obvious purpose.

The large pyramid structure evolved out of something much smaller called a mastabas, a structure made of bricks and plaster above ground, about the size of a large coffin.

Tick

Anubis was the guardian of the afterlife.
When you died in Ancient Egypt they believed that your soul traveled across the river Nile protected by Anubis.

Once you were safely at the bank at the other side your heart was weighed against a feather.
If your heart was heavier than the feather it was fed to a rather nasty little critter, if it was lighter than the feather you were allowed to travel forward.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Anubis was the guardian of the afterlife.
When you died in Ancient Egypt they believed that your soul traveled across the river Nile protected by Anubis.

---

What form did Anubis take? Why that form?

Quote:

---

Once you were safely at the bank at the other side your heart was weighed against a feather.
If your heart was heavier than the feather it was fed to a rather nasty little critter, if it was lighter than the feather you were allowed to travel forward.

---

Was there something you do during your life to guarantee that your heart would be lighter than a feather?

I haven't seen it mentioned but they also believed the Pharo's were gods amongst men. And that they too deserved worship while alive.

Yes and this began with Rames II to its fullest extent. Being a conduit to the gods was what it was prior and the Pharaoh's primary duty was to give them protection from all their enemies and to conquer. He lived so long that he had no one to conquer after the Hittites so he began a movement that transpired the Pharaoh to an equal of all the gods with his building of temples and statues of himself along side the gods (as their equal).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Was there something you do during your life to guarantee that your heart would be lighter than a feather?

---

yes, you had to be without doubt, blame, completely absolved from any sin during your lifetime. Your heart would then be weighed against all odds and if it came out blameless, then you could pass on.

I could site many references to this belief, but if I were to it discuss it here it would only serve to start a discussion on christian doctrines.

tick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tickle

I could site many references to this belief, but if I were to it discuss it here it would only serve to start a discussion on christian doctrines.

---

I think it would be a fine thing to cite sources. The topic on the table is ancient Egyptian, not Christian, beliefs.

Abu Simbel is a great example of this temple building:

Daily Travel Photo – Abu Simbel, Egypt

How DID they build the pyramids??


It seems they lost the plans somewhere along the line.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I think it would be a fine thing to cite sources. The topic on the table is ancient Egyptian, not Christian, beliefs.

---

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

One thing we know Cal is that they were not built by slaves but by Egyptians that even had built their own small town right near the pyramids. They we the skilled labor and considered somewhat 'elite.'

There are all types of speculation: aliens, mystical forces (anti-gravity devices, etc). However I believe that they made use of what they knew and that was use of sand (plentiful) ramps either in a spiral or direct approach. As with the giant obelisks they dug a deep hole, added sand under the pillars and slid them into the hole. As when they built the giant oval pillars in the monuments, they built the first level, filled sand around them to the height of that first level, added the second, filled the area with sand again and so on. Until they were actually working at a great height but still had a ground (sand) base. Then removed all that sand to expose the pillars to actual ground level.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

---

Why discuss parallels? There's plenty to say regarding the Egyptian concept of the soul.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

---

Thanks. :)

[QUOTE=califdadof3;2652683]How DID they build the pyramids??


It seems they lost the plans somewhere along the line.[/QUOTE]

That is one of the many things that is so fascinating about ancient Egypt, the how and why.

It seems in many instances they described a lot (although most was to be hidden for eternity inside the tombs) and with other items nothing at all. I believe that this may have something to do with what knowledge the 'elite' wanted to keep to themselves. Knowledge is power.

Some question the abrupt development of the pyramids as if this knowledge was gained out of nowhere. However many years of pyramid attempts (with small results) were done evolving into the Great Pyramid we see today. Inotep (sp) is credited as the mastermind in designing the Great Pyramid.

You all may find this interesting:

Treasures Hidden in the Cairo Museum's Basement | Heritage Key

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tickle

You all may find this interesting:

Treasures Hidden in the Cairo Museum's Basement | Heritage Key

---

Thanks Tick, that was interesting. I have always admired him.