read the story of horus and seth

Answer 1

The story of Horus and Seth is a well-known ancient Egyptian myth that highlights the conflict between two deities, Horus the Elder and his uncle Seth.

In Egyptian mythology, Horus was the son of Osiris, the god of the afterlife and ruler of the underworld, and Isis, the goddess of magic and fertility. Seth, on the other hand, was the brother of Osiris and the god of chaos, violence, and storms.

The story begins with the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Seth was jealous of Osiris and desired his throne. He tricked Osiris into entering a beautiful sarcophagus and then sealed it shut, throwing it into the Nile River. Isis, Osiris' wife and mother of Horus, searched for his body. She eventually discovered it and managed to revive him briefly, resulting in her conceiving Horus.

As Horus grew older, he sought revenge against Seth for the murder of his father. He challenged Seth to a series of battles and contests to win the throne of Egypt. In one famous episode, Horus and Seth transformed into hippopotamuses and engaged in a fierce battle in the marshes. Horus emerged victorious, and Seth was forced to retreat.

The conflict between Horus and Seth continued in other encounters as well. They took their dispute to a divine council, consisting of gods and goddesses, to decide who should be the rightful ruler of Egypt. The council was divided, as some favored Horus, while others sympathized with Seth due to his royal bloodline.

Isis intervened, turning to the god Thoth for support. Together, they sought the assistance of the sun god Ra, the highest deity in Egyptian mythology. Ra suggested that a divine verdict be reached through a series of tests. The gods took turns judging various aspects, such as who could best control chaos, who had the greatest magical power, and who had the most legitimate claim to the throne.

Ultimately, Ra declared Horus as the rightful ruler of Egypt, as he demonstrated the qualities of a just and wise king. Seth was allowed to continue existing, but he was stripped of his status as a legitimate contender for the throne.

The story of Horus and Seth represents the ongoing battle between order and chaos, light and darkness, following the death and resurrection of Osiris. Horus came to symbolize the rightful pharaoh on earth, while Seth embodied threats and challenges that the king had to face. It is also important to note that Seth, despite his chaotic nature, was not considered inherently evil but rather represented a necessary force in maintaining balance within the Egyptian pantheon.