The Art of Ancient Egypt | Publications for Educators | Explore & Learn

The Worship of Deities

Egyptian temples were the houses of gods, who resided in a literal sense in the cult statues inside the hidden sanctuary. It was the duty of the king to minister to the gods in their temples by daily rituals in which the cult statue was clothed, anointed, and fed by the placing of food offerings in front of it. In practice, priests mostly took the role of the king in these rituals, but in the reliefs that decorated the temple walls it is the king who praises and makes offerings to the gods.

Temple of Dendur
Originally the stone gate was set in a high mud brick wall, which surrounded the temple. Ordinary people never entered the temple, only the temple courtyard, and never saw the cult statue of the god unless it was carried outside in processions. Behind the porch of this small temple were two rooms. The second one was the sanctuary for the cult statue of Isis.

For their personal religious needs the Egyptians often addressed deities, such as Taweret in matters pertaining to childbirth or Bes with concerns about childbirth and sexual life. Small figurines of these deities were kept in houses or were worn as personal amulets. Magic played an important role in daily life, medicine, and all beliefs surrounding death.

Magical stela (detail):
Victims of poisonous animal bites would drink water poured over the magic images on this stone carving. The central figure is Hours as a young boy. Above him, the head of Bes, a god who was depicted as a dwarf with leonine features, furnishes added protection.

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