Gods, Heroes, and Monsters: Egypt
Surrounded by desert, the Nile River valley evolved largely free of the influence of other civilizations in the ancient Near East for thousands of years. This relative isolation enabled the Egyptian religion, comprised of a diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses, to evolve as not only free from influence of other cultures, but also as a complex system of worship and ritual suited for the particular ebb and flow of life in the Nile River valley. In the interpretation of ancient Egyptian Art, one quickly senses the immense importance of the Egyptian pantheon to ancient Egyptian society. In this society, the Pharaoh reigned as intercessor in negotiating with the gods a dynamic balance of chaos and its opposite ma’at—truth, balance, and order. Therefore, in researching and presenting a selection of these formidable gods and goddesses, this exhibition seeks to elucidate the indelible role of each upon both ancient Egyptian society and Art. In lieu of traditional encyclopedic entries, this exhibition examines the character of each god and goddess through the analysis of an ancient work of art that includes his or her likeness. Thus these works, crafted long ago by unknown artists, reveal the great devotion, ritual and myth of ancient Egypt—before her capture and conversion by the West.
Introduction composed by all members of the Egypt exhibition group
![Sculpture of the head of a cow goddess.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Hathor-200x300.jpg)
Head of a Cow Goddess: Hathor
![Sculpture of a man praying to Bes.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Bes-2-300x300.jpg)
Bes: The Dwarf-god of Ancient Egypt
![Papyrus illustrations of human figures, animals, and hieroglyphics.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/The-Singer-of-Amun-Nany-Funerary-Papyrus-300x223.jpg)
Ma’at: The Goddess and Principles of Truth and Wisdom
![An image of a winged figure with hieroglyphics.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/48.105.61.jpg)
Seth: The God of Chaos
![Photograph of the profile view of the Great Sphinx.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Great-Sphinx-of-Giza-300x200.jpg)
The Great Sphinx
![Statuette of Isis nursing Horus.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DP139138-300x300.jpg)
Isis: Statuette of the Goddess Nursing her Son Horus
![God Horus Protecting King Nectanebo II](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/stu-f-1-225x300.jpg)
Horus: God of Kingship, the Sun, and the Sky
![Stone inscribed with human figures and hieroglyphics.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/90.6.128_01.jpg)
Anubis: God of the Dead
![Bright blue figure of Thoth walking.](https://ancientart.as.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/DP240843-2-225x300.jpg)