Reading Notes: Egyptian Myths and Legends A

 - Ra had a secret name that he drew his most elite form of power from. When Isis learned this she devised a plan to "defeat" Ra and trick him into telling her his secret name. She did this by creating a serpent to bite him and cause him immense pain. She eventually told him that she would heal him and give him strength if he revealed his name. Because of his pain he did reveal his name to her giving her his power. He then became whole and the pain and suffering that he endured was gone. 

- Ra assembled the gods and goddesses together in secret because there was talk that man was going to rebel. He spoke to them about creating a great flood. He sent Hathor to the people and she washed through them spilling many mens blood. Ra felt bad and repented, realizing he want to save mankind or at least those that were left after Hathor. People celebrated and got very drunk. Ra still weary, descends from the earth to the sky. 

- Osiris took over for Ra when he descended into the sky. He took a people that were evil and made them good and created laws and decrees. He taught them to build themselves up and farm and harvest wheat and barley and many fruits. He went into the world to spread his wisdom, while Isis ruled over Egypt while he was away. 

- Osiris was locked in a chest to die as set up by the god Set. Set had his followers dispose of the chest and devastated, Isis, wandered the land in search of Osiris. Set then ascended to the throne and Isis became a fugitive. Isis kept 7 protector scorpions and one day she was met by a woman and her child. Unfortunately the kid was stung by the scorpion and died and the mother was so sad. This caused Isis to be touched and brought the child back to life, and the woman was forever grateful to Isis. 

- Set continued to rule after Osiris' demise. Horus was sleeping one night when his father, Osiris appeared to him in a dream telling him to over throw Set. This urged him to start a battle with Set. This battle continued for a while as Thoth continued to heal both Horus and Set during this war. Eventually the gods ruled that Horus was the rightful ruler of Egypt. 

- The Pharaoh had a young youth in his followers and that youth and the scribe's wife were having a secret affair and would sneak away and feast and bathe at his summer house. The scribe was told and so he decided to cast a spell on a wax crocodile and put the image in the lake where the youth bathed. The image became a real crocodile and carried the young man away. The scribe amazed by what he had done, showed the Pharaoh his great power. The young man was never seen again and the wife of the scribe was burned at the stake and then thrown into the Nile. 

Crocodile Swimming (UnSplash)

Mackenzie, D. A. (2016). Egyptian myth and legend. Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified.