How did Osiris end up being the god of the underworld?
One of the most popular and significant deities of ancient Egypt is Osiris. He is regarded as the god of fertility and resurrection, and he is the judge of souls. But how did Osiris become the Egyptian god of the underworld?
The origin of Osiris, the Egyptian underworld god
Although his exact origin is unknown, it is believed that he was a god of fertility in Busiris, which was located in Lower Egypt. He may have also been a deified predynastic king, a vegetation spirit, a jackal god, or a mother goddess
He was also associated with the idea of divine kingship. Upon death, the king became Osiris, and his living son became Horus, the god of the sky. They became a part of a divine family, which also included Isis and Seth, the brothers of Osiris. At around 2400 BCE, he evolved from a god of fertility to a national deity. He was also regarded as the embodiment of the resurrected king. He was linked to the Nile flood, which provided bountiful harvests and brought life to the land.
The myth of Osiris
The most popular myth about Osiris is that his family killed him and resurrected him. According to Greek author Plutarch, who is known for his work, the king was a wise and good ruler who taught his people religion, agriculture, and law. He also traveled the world to spread the message of his civilization. Unfortunately, his brother, Seth, was envious of him and planned to kill him.
Seth tricked Osiris into lying inside a wooden chest that he had made to fit his measurements. He then sealed the chest with nails and molten lead and threw it into the Nile. The chest eventually made its way to Byblos, Lebanon. Upon examining the tree, the king of the city noticed that the chest was still there, and he decided to cut it down so that his palace would have a pillar.
After learning that her husband’s body was in Byblos, Isis started looking for it all across Egypt and beyond. She was eventually able to find it in Byblos, and she asked the queen of the town for the pillar that held Osiris’s remains. After opening the chest and looking over his corpse, Isis took the body back to Egypt.
Seth found the body and cut it down into pieces, which he scattered across Egypt. With the help of her sister, Nephthys, Isis was able to find all of the pieces, except for one. It was a phallus that had been consumed by a fish. She used her magic to bring him back to life, and she would then create Horus, her son.
As the ruler of the underworld, Osiris ruled over the people of Egypt while Horus challenged Seth for the throne. After a fierce battle, Horus was able to beat Seth and become the new king. He gave his son Osiris’ eye, which was the product of Seth’s injury during their battle. It became a symbol of healing and protection in ancient Egypt.
The significance of Osiris
The significance of the myth of Osiris can be seen in the various cultural and religious aspects of ancient Egypt. It explains how mummification was performed to preserve the body for the afterlife. It also emphasizes how important family loyalty is.
Throughout Egypt, Osiris was worshipped. He was worshipped during the Early Dynastic Period, as well as during the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which was the last dynasty to reign in Egypt before the Romans. He had numerous festivals and temples, such as at Abydos.
Osiris is one of the most fascinating and influential gods of ancient Egypt. His story reflects the values and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, who saw death not as an end but as a transition to a new life. His cult inspired devotion and hope among millions of people for millennia. He is truly a god of the underworld and beyond.
