What is the Egyptian netherworld?

The Egyptian underworld was called Duat, though some argue that it wasn’t really an underworld, but a pathway to the stars. Egyptians believed that, after you died, your spirit would journey through Duat to see Osiris, the dead king of the netherworld.

Where was ancient Egypt situated?

Africa
Egypt, country located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt’s heartland, the Nile River valley and delta, was the home of one of the principal civilizations of the ancient Middle East and, like Mesopotamia farther east, was the site of one of the world’s earliest urban and literate societies.

Where was the Egyptian creation myth set?

city of Hermopolis
The creation myth promulgated in the city of Hermopolis focused on the nature of the universe before the creation of the world. The inherent qualities of the primeval waters were represented by a set of eight gods, called the Ogdoad.

What was the process of mummification?

Mummification is the process of preserving the body after death by deliberately drying or embalming flesh. This typically involved removing moisture from a deceased body and using chemicals or natural preservatives, such as resin, to desiccate the flesh and organs.

Where are the pyramids in Egypt?

Giza
The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built.

What is the Aztec creation story?

In the Aztec creation story, the four gods first create water, other gods, and a sea monster called Cipactli. As they continue to create things, though, Cipactli eats all their work. So the gods kill Cipactli, and from her body create the world.

What did Egyptians wrap mummies?

After dehydration, the mummy was wrapped in many layers of linen cloth. Within the layers, Egyptian priests placed small amulets to guard the decedent from evil. Once the mummy was completely wrapped, it was coated in a resin in order to keep the threat of moist air away.

Why did mummies get wrapped in bandages?

The Egyptians may have bandaged their mummies for a number of different reasons: First, the bandages kept moisture away from the body so it would not decompose. Second, the wrappings let the embalmers build up the shape of the mummy, to give it a more lifelike form. Third, the wrappings kept everything together.

What was the path to the underworld in ancient Egypt?

The path taken to the underworld may have varied between kings and common people. After entry, spirits were presented to another prominent god, Osiris. Osiris would determine the virtue of the deceased’s soul and grant those deemed deserving a peaceful afterlife. The Egyptian concept of ‘eternal life’ was often seen as being reborn indefinitely.

Why did the dead have to travel through the Nether?

The dead’s only hope for eternal life and a reunited soul was to travel through hell and face judgement. If the essence of their soul could make its way through Duat, the Egyptian netherworld, and pass judgement before the gods, their souls would be reunited – but this was no simple journey, and the clock was ticking.

What was the Great River between Earth and the Netherworld?

Between earth and the netherworld, the Egyptians believed, there was a great river in the sky that even the gods couldn’t pass . The only person who could pass it was the ferryman of the gods, a creature with eyes on the back of his head.

What happens to souls that pass through the Netherworld?

If the essence of their soul could make its way through Duat, the Egyptian netherworld, and pass judgement before the gods, their souls would be reunited – but this was no simple journey, and the clock was ticking. If the body crumbled into decay before their essence made it through the netherworld, the part of the soul trapped inside would die.