Why Is Hathor An Important Goddess In Ancient Greece?

In the ancient Greek world, religion was personal, direct, and present in its citizens’ daily lives. During this time, they participated in animal sacrifices and offerings, created myths to explain the beginning of the human race and gave reverence to their gods by building temples which controlled the urban landscape. They also participated in local festivals and sporting and artistic competitions. Religion was never out of the presence of ancient Greece’s citizens. While they may have made up their own mind on the terms of their religious beliefs, some may have been completely confused if these gods actually existed. There were certain fundamental beliefs that must have been sufficiently widespread, in order for the Greek government to function. In ancient Greece, gods existed, they influenced human concerns, and they welcomed and responded to acts of godliness and worship.

Egyptian women were fortunate in that they were equal to men as far as the law was concerned. They could own property, borrow money, initiate divorce, and many other things unheard of in the Greek civilization. The Egyptian royal line was matriarchal, meaning that royalty was passed down from mother to son. The Greeks, in comparison, were patriarchal, meaning control was passed from father to son. It was also necessary for a man to marry a woman of royalty in order to become a Pharaoh. Because of this, it was common for brothers to marry sisters. Sometimes, women were even known to become a Pharaoh. There are at least four documented female Pharaohs with the most notable being Hatshepsut (1479-1458 B.C.) (McKay 2009). Hatshepsut, though a very powerful ruler, was often times depicted in men’s clothing and with a false beard (McKay 2009). This shows that even though women were much more important in Egyptian society, there was still a stigma around women leaders.

Ptah was also a creator god who built the boats that carried the souls of the dead into the Underworld. Osiris was the ruler of the Underworld and husband to Isis, the goddess of fertility and the ideal wife. Isis’ song, Horus, was the god of the sky and depicted with a hawk-like head often portrayed with a double crown. These deities were worshipped daily by the Egyptians in temples built by the ruling pharaoh and his priests. The pharaoh was viewed as the intermediary between the deities and his people. Through his kingship and divine power, he was expected to maintain universal peace and order. Egyptians also underwent extensive and excessive processes to preserve their souls after death through tombs, mummification, and offerings to the gods for preservation of the deceased bodies (“Ancient Egyptian Religion”). The concept of life after death is rooted in ancient Egyptian religion where funerary processes and burial rituals were fundamental and crucial to an afterlife.

Egyptians paid great respect to women at least in the upper classes, in part because marriage alliances were vital to the preservation and stability of the monarchy. The Egyptians believe that the royal family was immortal. The word family brings every member of the family to the same circle of respect and power. The man like in the Mesopotamian civilization was the head of the family. That is also seemed in today’s daily life in most cases. A statue of Pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen represents the wife presenting her husband and not the husband presenting his wife as the powerful one.

In the typical life of an Egyptian citizen, one was constantly being influenced by their gods and goddesses because of his or her belief in a polytheistic religion. The gods and goddesses were believed to have power over the forces and elements over nature, and myths about them explained the connection they had between their

Hatshepsut was the first female Egyptian pharaoh. She was regarded as one of the most successful female pharaohs; however, she had many weaknesses. Hatshepsut made many contributions to the Egyptians. There are many reasons why she was regarded as one of the most famous pharaohs.

For over 22 years, the most powerful man in all of ancient Egypt was, in fact, a woman. That woman was Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the first female pharaohs in Egypt’s long history. During her reign she built great monuments both in Egypt and Nubia. Egypt also thrived while she ruled, proving that she was a strong and powerful leader even though she was a woman instead of a man. Hatshepsut was an amazing woman who had some incredible accomplishments.

Queen Hatshepsut was the first woman Pharaoh in middle Egypt she was very strong to take such a big responsibility. Her name means “Foremost Of Noble Women” which she is known to society. She was also the was the first woman to rule more than 10 years.

Ancient Greek Gods were worshipped in the Greeks lives. The people worshipped certain gods when they needed strength in that part of their life. The Greek people were constantly seeking blessings and or protection from the god. (Goddess symbols: Athena. 2) Athena and Ares were counterparts but worshipped differently by the people of Greece.

Athena was the virgin goddess of wisdom and good counsel, war, the defense of towns, heroic,endeavor, weaving, pottery, and various other crafts. Athena was depicted as a stately woman armed with a shield and spear, and wearing a long robe, crested helm, and the famed snake trimmed cape.Known for protecting civilized life, she was the goddess of the city. Athena was praised for her compassion and generosity.She is the daughter of Zeus.

One of the central values of ancient Egyptian civilization, revolves around the concept of harmony and balance in all aspects of one's life. This ideal equality was the most important responsibility observed by the pharaoh who, as a mediator between the gods and the people, was supposed to be a role model and set by an example for how one achieving a balanced life, as all people sharing a common relationship with pharaoh. Through this relationship all men and women acquired equality to one another. Therefore, not to the world's surprise, women in ancient Egypt, compared to other civilizations, were ahead of their time. Women in ancient Egypt did not only rule the country and become pharaohs, but also shared equal basic human rights as men. Women such as Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra were able to take the stand and break the stigma of the typical minority that are deprived of many rights, and most importantly legal, and educational rights.

Many greek gods and goddesses possess paradoxical characteristics. This makes some of them hypocritical and others well rounded. Artemis shows her versatility through her two-sided role as an influential women in society and her opposite qualities apparent during acts of mass destruction.

When referring to Egypt, it is said that the word Egypt evokes the name of three women as if by magic: Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Although these women are from different generations and times, the three of them all represent the history and traditions of Egyptian fashion. Mila Contini, author of Fashion: From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day notes that women in ancient Egypt was always honored and treated with respect, and because of that Hatshepsut, Nefertiti and Cleopatra were seen as the definition of Egyptian culture. Hatshepsut was the daughter of Pharaoh Thutmosis I and during her lifetime was said to have shared the throne with her father during his lifetime. After her fathers death, Hatshepsut had married her half-brother Thutmosis II, and after his death, she had resigned over the land. Hatshepsut was also noted as having changed her sex, Contini mentions that Hatshepsut “wore on her chin the false beard of the Pharaohs, and on monuments and bas-reliefs had herself represented without breasts, like a warrior”. Hatshepsut was a leader in mens clothes, something that was very different at the time. Image 1 is an example of the popular

The Egyptians held a high appreciation and devotion for felines. Bastet, the goddess of cats, fertility, domesticality in the Egyptian pantheon. Joshua J. Mark, the co-founder, and editor of Ancient History Encyclopedia wrote that she serves as a representation of both the sweet domesticated house cat, but also the fierce

A myth sometimes called "The Distant Goddess", tells of how Hathor became angry with Ra and wandered away from Egypt. Great sadness falls over the land and Ra, lost wiothout his Eye, decides to fetch her back. However, Hathor has now became a deadly wild cat who destroys all that approaches her, and so no man or god will volunteer to go get her. Thoth eventually agrees to lure her back and, dressed in disguise, manages to coax the angry goddess to return to Egypt by telling her stories. Back in her homeland, she battles the Nile and once again settles into her normally gentle demeanor, but not before the waters turn red from the effort of cooling her rage. I can work with this goddess just like any other goddess whenever in need, once a month, on a full moon, assemble in a secret place an adore the spirit of thy goddess, queen of all witcheries. My goddess will teach me all sorcery and its deepest secrets, love unto all beings, ecstacy of the spirit, and joy on earth. A goddess gives gift of joy unto heart, knowledge of spirit eternal unto earth, beyond death peace, freedom, and reuinion with the ones that have gone before. My goddess has been with me from the beginning and is that which is