Amateur Adventures #29: A Shakesperean Tragedy of Egyptian Proportions

Hello lovely Steemians.

Today I'm going to tell you a story. It has love, betrayal, revenge, and murder. Shaping up like a Game of Thrones episode right?

Enjoy!

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"I am Horus, the great Falcon upon the ramparts of the house of him of the hidden name. My flight has reached the horizon. I have passed by the gods of Nut. I have gone further than the gods of old. Even the most ancient bird could not equal my very first flight. I have removed my place beyond the powers of Set, the foe of my father Osiris. No other god could do what I have done. I have brought the ways of eternity to the twilight of the morning. I am unique in my flight. My wrath will be turned against the enemy of my father Osiris and I will put him beneath my feet in my name of 'Red Cloak'." - R.T Rundle Clark Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt

View of Philae Temple from the Nile

The temples of lower Egypt are more than monuments built by Pharaohs to honour the Gods. They tell a story with all the makings of a Shakespearen tragedy. Love, jealousy, betrayal, murder and revenge.

Let me tell you the story of Isis, Osiris, Seth and Horus.

Scott and a statue of Horus

Osiris, the king of Egypt, along with Isis, his queen, was beloved by all his people. He was kind and just and taught them to plow the earth, how to honor the gods and he gave them laws to live by. But his brother Seth was jealous and plotted against him to take over the throne. Queen Isis was constantly on her guard when Osiris traveled around his kingdom, she never felt safe from Seth´s scheming.

Trajans Kisok

One day Osiris held a big banquet for his court and as he was kind and just, Seth was also invited. This was the moment Seth had long waited for. Together with his accomplices he could set his plan in motion. He began to describe a wonderful coffin that he had been given, and soon enough he was asked to have it brought in for people to see. It was indeed beautiful, made of the finest wood and gilded and painted. He promised to give it as a gift to whomever fitted exactly into it. And as he already had acquired Osiris´measures, the king was the only one that fitted into the coffin, and when he was persuaded into taking place in it, Seth´s accomplices quickly nailed the lid to it and while the rest of the court was held back, it was taken away and thrown into the Nile where the current carried it away.

Relief of Isis carved into the wall

Isis was shattered with grief. She cut off a length of her hair and dressed in mourning, setting off to look for the golden casket. She searched all over Egypt and abroad in the land of Byblos, until she came across a group of children who told her they had seen the casket at the base of a great tree.

The Mamisis at Philae

Isis found her husband's coffin under a magnificent tree and took it back with her to Egypt in order to give Osiris a dignified burial. She hid the casket in some marshes, but unfortunately, fate had it that Seth found it while he was out hunting. Seth was so enraged he cut Osiris into many pieces and scattered his parts all over Egypt.

The entrance to Edfu temple

Isis was once again in anguish and set off looking for her husband's remains throughout the land. She managed to recompose the body of Osiris, although one part was missing, she then wrapped him up in bandages to keep the parts together.

Colonnades lining the temple courtyard

It is said that Isis and Osiris conceived their son Horus when Isis breathed back life into her dead husband, after which Osiris became the King of the Land of the Dead while Horus fought the hateful Seth to avenge his father's death.

Osiris was declared the King of the Underworld while his son Horus was the King of the living and Seth the ruler of the deserts and the god of chaos and evil.

Eventually Horus was killed by Seth, as his father had been. Father and son were re-united in the underworld and they returned to fight and defeat Seth at Edfu in flesh and bones under the form of a winged sun disc.

Winged sundisk of Horus

I highly recommend a trip down the Nile, visiting the temples of Philae and Edfu that are carved with reliefs that tell the tragic story of the Egyptian Gods. It's worth doing the trip with a qualified Egyptologist, such as Ahmed, who brings the story to life with his knowledge and passion for the topic.

Being on an island in the middle of Lake Nasser, Philae is away from the normal crowds (or what passed for normal during that time of unrest)

Like Abu Simbel Philae was also relocated to avoid flooding when Lake Nasser was formed. The quality of the hieroglyphics and the state of preservation is simply amazing and after an informative tour with our guide we were free to wander around at our won leisure, affording me some moments of quiet and reflection. I was constantly in awe that I was actually standing at so many of these places in Egypt. I know just how lucky I have been.

Out from behind the camera - just to prove I was there

Thanks for reading,

Til the next adventure,

Steem on with Love and Light

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Source:

1. Photos are the work of the author except where credited otherwise
2. This is an edited version of an original post on my travel blog whcih can be found at http://theamateuradventurer.com/a-shakespearean-tragedy-of-egyptian-proportions/ CONTENT IS ORIGINAL
3. Written Content is original, and written expressly for Steem
4. You can check out some of my other adventures here:
   • Amateur Adventures #25: Petra - The Road to the Holy Grail
   • Fitness Fanatic #2: Hiking for fitness and pics of my favourite hikes
   • Amateur Adventures #26: Amazing Karnak - Monument to the Pharaohs
   • Amateur Adventures #27: A Trip to The Valley of the Kings Part 1: Hot Air Ballooning
   • Amateur Adventures #28: A Trip to The Valley of the Kings Part 2: Important Tips for Donkey Riding
   • The seasons are changing. Time for an energetic spring clean!