The Realm Of Osiris Part I

The growth of the cult of Osiris, king of the dead, was immensely important to the ancient Egyptians. Osiris gradually became the dominant figure among a cast of potentially vengeful gods. These gods had strong moral codes, so living a good and honest life was vital if you were to gain eternity.


Items found in graves from pre-dynastic Egypt(before 3100 BC) suggest that, even then, Egyptians performed death-related rituals. Belief in Osiris is thought to have begun in the Nile delta region and may have been a god of agriculture, linked with fertility and the afterlife. By 2400 BC he had become associated with death and resurrection of the ruler.


Before Osiris, the cult of Ra, god of sun and bringer of life held a center stage. Ra is depicted with a falcon's head on which is carried the sun.

Ra, the sun god

Egyptians believed that the god Osiris judged them on the lives they had led and those who have lived "good life" would attain a happy eternity beside gods. He was thought to preside over complex burial rituals, including embalming and mummification which they devised to ensure a passage through the underworld to a afterlife.

Tradition held that Osiris was the son of Geb, god of the Earth, and Nut, goddess of the sky, and that once he was king of Upper Egypt. His grandfather was Ra and his brother was Set, god of chaos.

Osiris was husband(and brother) of Isis and father of Horus who was god of sky and protector of ruler of Egypt.

 Myth also told that jealous and vengeful spirit of Set trapped Osiris in a coffin-like chest and threw it in river Nile, and became king. Isis found and hid the body of her husband, only Set to rediscover it and tear it apart. Isis resembled his body and bound it in bandages and he became the first mummy.

Osiris

"Homage to thee, Osiris, lord of eternity, king of gods, whose names are manifold."

THE EGYPTIAN BOOK OF DEAD, 1240 BC