...Chris Sinvil IHHIST 399-06 12-5-14 Dying gods In all ancient cultures myths were used to explain the phenomenon’s in the world before we truly knew why things happened the way they did. In this paper I will be comparing two fairly similar myths from different cultures. The first myth is the ancient Egyptian myth about Isis and Osiris. And the second myth is the Mesopotamian story of Inannas descent to the under world. First I will summarize both myths and then talk about what their purpose was. Then I will compare and contrast two too show just how similar they are. Firstly comes the myth of Isis and Osiris. As with much of the ancient Egyptian mythology, there are various versions of the story of Isis and Osiris, but basically it goes like this. Osiris was an earthly ruler, who was popular with the people who he ruled over. He was married to his sister, the beautiful Isis. His brother, Set, was very jealous of this popularity and title, so he plotted against Osiris. Osiris never realized Set’s true devious intentions but Isis had always had a sense that set was up to no good. Set's plans to be rid of his brother started when he secretly obtained his brothers measurements and had a magnificent casket made to fit. This casket was in the form of a human shaped box. Set then organized a large feast to which Osiris and a number of others were invited. At the peak of the festivities Set produced the casket and announced that it would be given to whomever it fitted. All...
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...Politics: Kypseli is a small village on the Island of Thera in rural Greece. Thera was conquered by the Greeks, then the Spartans, then the Romans, then the Byzantine Empire (who introduced them to Christianity and converted the old Roman temples into churches), then the Venetians, then the Turks, and then back to the Greeks. Language: The language used by natives to communicate is fast-paced and uses the “ah” sound extensively. Aesthetics/Art: The people of Kypseli utilize the violin, the acoustic guitar and the recorder coupled with nasal singing to produce music for cultural ceremonies such as weddings. The women of Kypseli wear head coverings that are usually white and short, sleeveless dresses that usually either patterned or striped. Kypseli women will wear black if their husbands die, making them a widow. Men usually wear collared shirts and usually rolled up pants. Both men and women either are barefoot or wear sandals. Most of their dancing consists of dancing in a circle and holding hands. Society: Peasants make up the population of Kypseli. The dominant sub-category for society are gender roles. Space, objects and animals are divided by gender and/or time of day. For example, women perform activities in the courtyard during the morning until mid-day. Then the men come during the afternoon and use the courtyard to fix their tools and/or smoke. Also, men usually own the valuable items and tools while the only valuable tool a woman could hope to own is a sewing machine...
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...your prespectives of what you have read to share as a team. PLEASE RESPECT THE DUE DATES FOR EACH PERSON TO REVIEW AS A TEAM Danny: (pages 79-82) Petra: (pages 83-85) Imhotep The Pyramid of Zoser, emerged in the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (c.2700 B.C.) (Boorstin, 1992). Pyramid of Zoser was noticed for the use of masonry casing. Imhotep was a recognized architect and Founding Father of the great Third Dynasty pharaoh Zoser as a patron of writing between c. 2613-2686 B.C. (Boorstin, 1992). Imhotep consulted and inspired scribes prior to writing. He was also inspired by the scribes as “poured a libation to him from their writing jar” (Boorstin, 1992). Two thousand years and centuries after his death as a mythical founder of Egyptian medicine and recognition of a divine status his proverbs are echoed (Boorstin, 1992). After his death devotees prayed for revelations of cures in dreams by honoring Imhotep by building a temple in Memphis on the island of Philae in the Nile. Greeks later recognize Imhotep as their medicine god and named him Asklepios (Boorstin, 1992). Details of the Step Pyramid In Cairo at Saqqara Imhotep’s step pyramid remains the world’s oldest hewn stone (Boorstin, 1992). The rectangular structure of stone is layered on the outside of six steps. The base measures 597 yards north to south and 304 east to west, with a 200 feet height. The...
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...2011 Egyptian Religion Religion is defined by many people as a belief in a “greater power” as well as personal morals. Most religions usually include a system of values as well as various practices. Egyptian religion included their ancient gods, the mythology of the gods, and other parts of their religion. For example their religion explained and included creation, death and the afterlife, and the cults that worshiped the gods. In Egypt, the king or pharaoh played a very important part in their religion and what the gods expected of the people also. Egyptian religion consisted of many myths and rituals too. Religion was a very influential part of Ancient Egyptian culture and shaped their ancient civilization of the Nile greatly. Like most other cultures, the ancient Egyptians wanted to find the meaning for their existence, but there were also other influences on their religion, such as the need to justify kingship, along with many others. Egyptians have numerous Gods in there culture and they feel that the Gods walk among them, invisibly on Earth. Ra is the most central God of the Egyptian gods. Known as the sun god, Ra was the most important element of life in ancient Egypt and represented light, warmth, and growth. Ra embodies the Egyptian beliefs of order and truth, and he signifies the cycle of birth, life and death. Of all the ancient Egyptian Gods Anubis is frequently the one referred to as the gatekeeper of the underworld and god of death. The Egyptian goddess...
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...Christianity and Religion of Ancient Egypt Is it possible that Christianity came from Ancient Egypt? Probably yes. There are several facts, which prove it. Although Egyptian temples were destroyed, manuscripts were burned and the statues of Gods were broken, Egyptian religion is still alive and the Gods rise repeatedly but in different forms. Regeneration There were a lot of solemn rites in Egypt due to death and resurrection of Osiris, for example: funerary ceremony where the main symbol of deceased was grain, planted in wet ground in clay jar .The appearance of plant meant revival with Osiris`s protection. The underground world in Egyptian culture was pledge of plants` regeneration through fat land containing moisture, it meant that those people whose bodies were buried into the ground, had an opportunity to regenerate, although in another form. The idea of dying and revival God was an essential discovery. Many nations took over the concept. Most historians are sure that The Bible stories about Christ`s life, death and resurrection are renewed version of Egyptian myth. Osiris, among all Gods, was more familiar and understandable for the nation: as a man and God, virtuous and suffered without any guilt and then awarded with eternity, in one time. U.Budge said:” The main reason why the Osiris cult existed was promise of timeless life for his followers.” Even after acceptance of Christianity Egyptians continued to mummify deceased people and combine attributes of their...
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...and monotheism. Polytheism believes in multiple deities called god and goddesses. Monotheism is the belief that only one god exists. Some believers of polytheism include Hinduism, Buddhism, ancient Egyptians, and ancient Mesopotamia. Hinduism believes that all deities are separate entities. Most people believe in different deities expanding from a single God. That one single entity is never defined and for the most part Hindus continue to hold one God above all others. They believe in Brahman he is the universal soul, and it is said that all men are considered Brahmans. Buddhism believes in “the Buddha” Siddhartha Gautama. The Buddha looks with a kind heart equally on all living beings, and they call him father. Buddha can be anything you worship because in Buddhism there is no absolute god. In the ancient Egyptian religion they saw the actions of the gods behind all the elements and forces of nature. However, they did not believe that the gods merely controlled these events that took place in their lives, but that each element of nature was a divine force in itself. The Egyptians believed in a multitude of gods, which were involved in every aspect of nature and their society. Egyptian myths about the gods were meant to help explain the origins and behavior events. In the ancient Mesopotamians religion...
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...Religion guided every aspect of Egyptian life. Egyptian religion was based on polytheism, which means the worship of many deities, except for during the reign of Akenaton. During the reign of Akenaton, more than 3,000 years of development, Egyptian religion underwent significant changes of emphasis and practice, but in all periods religion had a clear consistency in character and style. The Egyptians had as many as 2000 gods and goddesses. Some, such as Amun, Isis, Osiris, and Horus, were worshipped throughout the whole country, while others had only a local following. There were two essential foci of public religion: the king and the gods. Both are among the most characteristic features of Egyptian civilization. The king had a unique status between humanity and the gods, partook in the world of the gods, and constructed great, religiously motivated funerary monuments for his afterlife. The Egyptian "Book of the Dead" contains the major ideas and beliefs in the ancient Egyptian religion. Because their religion stressed an afterlife, Egyptians devoted much time and wealth to preparing for survival in the next world. Tombs were placed if possible in the desert. Vast resources were expended on creating prestigious burial places for absolute rulers or wealthy officials. Tombs contained elaborate grave goods (mostly plundered soon after deposition), representations of “daily life,” or less commonly of religious subjects, and some texts that were intended to help the deceased attain...
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...Egypt Dialectical Notes Text | Response | The story of Osiris, Isis, and Horus was very well known in Egypt.Numerous references to parts of the story exist in ancient Egyptian sources, the Pyramid Texts, and the Book of the DeadThoth then added the 5 days he had won from moon to the normal solar year of 360 daysWhen he began his rule, his people were nomads. They lived a simple life, wandering from place to place and gathering the fruits of the earth. Osiris united these tribes and taught them to be highly civilized people. He taught them the art of farming so they could acquire more and better foods from the earth…Osiris had hardly settled himself inside the box when the conspirators quickly picked up the cover, placed it upon the box, and nailed it down imprisoning the unsuspecting king. To make certain that Osiris would suffocate, they poured melted led over the box.Nut gave birth to 5 children.In time, Isis gave birth to Osiris’s son whom she named Horus.I shall teach you the words of power that will protect Horus from death on earth, in the world above, and in the other worldThe infant had been restored to lifeOnce Osiris was properly buried, Horus prepared to do his part to return his father to life. He led Isis and Nephthys to the world of the dead where they found Osiris.. gradually the dead god came to life.Horus then rore after Isis … when he caught her, he fought as fiercely as he had fought with set. Finally, Horus cut off her head.Thoth immediately used his...
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...Three impressive civilizations, from different time periods, have managed to influence each others cultures through the literature works of poetry; from Ancient Egyptian song: “I Am Your Best Girl”, to the glorious Greek love poems of the beautiful Sappho, and the monotheistic Hebrews Song: “I Am the Rose of Sharon.” Over the course of thousands of years, each of these great civilizations had countless views on poetry; all represented inspiration to their own citizens to become successful in life’s endeavors. All forms of literature, art, scripts and artifacts had a wide effect on these societies. By comparing these key examples of poetry, matters of passion for personal integrity, search for eternal love, admiration for greater quality of life and powerful affection towards dear ones, can give us a better understanding towards the emotional and dignifying experiences each culture portrayed. In the first Love Song: “I Am Your Best Girl,” there are many contrasts between the authors theme of powerful affection towards a beloved and the authors self-definition of ones own society. To start, the author sets a personal tone of desire and devotion to ones beloved. She shows ones worth in the first few lines of a simile “I belong to you like an acre of land which I have planted,” here the poet doesn’t mind becoming a part of mans property, she is deeply devoted to him. Nevertheless, it can also bring meaning into a hard days work of maintaining the land and applying that to her...
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...A Great Society A society as a whole is multi-dimensional; therefore, to be considered great, it has to be great on every level. The greatness of a society takes into account many different levels of measurement. Aspects to be measured include the following: Relationships, economy, environment and infrastructure, health, peace and security, culture and leisure, religion and philosophy, education, and governance. All of these aspects combined together give you a society. The greatness of any society rests solely on the ability to make each of these aspects great in their own respect. The downfall of even one of these societal aspects can bring the entire system down in a domino effect. For example, if education is not up to par then the economy will suffer due to lack of a trained workforce. All of the facets of society are closely connected and rely on each other for support. A Great Society is one that recognizes the interrelationships between these aspects and allows for open communication in order to prevent problems from becoming detrimental issues. The ancient Egyptians articulated and practiced their idea of a Great Society through the use of a class system. In other words, everyone had a boss to answer to; who also made sure everything was being done correctly. With this model of workers and overseers, the society was able to prosper for the most part. Through the class system, an individual would be assigned an occupation comparable to where they or their family...
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...know today as Egypt. As one of the first civilizations, Egypt has a lot of background. Egypt was one of the first civilizations when people finally gave up their nomadic way of life. The Nile River was a good place to start a civilization because of the fertile soil. Today the Nile is a big source of wealth for the Egyptians and other people of this region just like it was in the ancient times. Without the Nile all of Egypt would be a hot and dry dessert. The Nile stretches for 4,145 miles. It is the longest river in the world. It flows from the South to the North. It originates near the equator in Africa and flows through the countries of Rwanda, Zaire, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt today is a republic with a parliamentary government, a president as head of state and a judicial system based on British common law and Islamic moral law. Since February 11, 2011, Hosni Mubarak is no longer the president of the country, after a popular uprising which began on January 25 succeeded in toppling him down after 30 years of dictatorship, abuses and corruption. Egypt is very successful. It is very different from Ancient Egypt. It is very similar to our country too. It is a very peaceful country also. Life...
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...traditions gives them the true sense of order and structure they require in their life. Faith supposedly helps earn goodness and everlasting life, and is used to appease and get favours from the being’s superior. Indigenous and Ancient Religions have shaped the way individuals view the religious world today. Indigenous, the word itself refers to anything that is native to a geographical...
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...little distant, doesn’t it? It’s not clear at all what any of this has to do with life as we experience it today. Consider this suggestion; that learning about these people with the strange names who lived in strange places so long ago, will open your eyes to the world around you in ways you never imagined. It will prompt you to think in new ways and to see connections between things you never knew were connected. If a genius is someone who sees connections between things that others do not, it will spark the genius within you. Some would argue that studying the Humanities in today’s cutthroat job market is a luxury we cannot afford to provide to students. The argument follows the lines of practicality and immediate application. Education should prepare students in technology and hands-on business practice. This is the only way they can hope to be competitive. Students who have spent too much time in the Arts or Humanities are destined to join the ranks of the unemployed after graduation. Even though this argument seems logical on the surface, it is seriously flawed. Human beings must be...
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...Abstract In this paper, the writer will explore a topic from a list of artistic themes as the themes relate to Prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Ancient Egyptian, Archaic Greek, Aegean Civilization and Classical Greek periods. The writer will determine how the theme is reflected in the cultural and world developments from these time periods. The writer will also compare and contrast the development of the theme of the different time periods to modern day time. Artistic Themes Artistic themes of Prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Ancient Egyptian, Archaic Greek/Aegean Civilization, and Classical Greek Periods The time periods of Prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Ancient Egyptian, Archaic Greek, Aegean Civilization, and Classical Greek are different from the modern day period. Each time period had its own way of doing certain things. For example, each time period had its own idea of work. Work from each of these time periods was performed in different ways. The writer will explore work as it relates to the time periods of Prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Ancient Egyptian, Archaic Greek, Aegean Civilization, and Classical Greek. The writer will determine how work is reflected in the cultural and world developments from the time periods also compare and contrast the development of work within the historic time periods while relating past attitudes to modern attitudes. Prehistoric There are no written records from prehistoric times. Information from prehistoric time is only reported from certain fields...
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...Women’s Role in Ancient Times HIS 103 World Civilizations I Women's Role in Ancient times A woman in today’s society is somewhat equal to a man’s but the treatment of women in ancient times were strict and women had no rights as compared to men. During the Ancient times, there was the misconception of women and the different roles they played. They were to stay at home and took care of their households and such other womanly duties that were deemed appropriate for their gender during those periods. Also, it was very important for a woman to know the laws and requirements of their roles and how those roles were perceived in a society. In many countries, the women had similarities, and a few differences. Although time has progressed and there are some roles that are no longer in existence, the women of today and ancient times still have things in common. For example, women still have the role of caring for their children, instilling family values, and commitment to sacred vowels of matrimony. Throughout history, there are many cultures that shared the same common beliefs about the role of women. Women in the countries like China, Egypt, Rome, and the Mesopotamian society are a few places that women’s cultures are shared with common similarities but there are some with different aspects. Women were considered weaker than men and were unable to perform work that requires muscular or intellectual development. Because of this, women were restrained to accomplishing light...
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