Egyptian Myths

For centuries mankind has been telling stories as a form of entertainment, but more importantly cultures use these stories as a way to pass down traditions and morals. Myths can be about a culture’s gods or their beliefs in creation, but to really understand a culture one must look at what they value in a leader. From Egypt to Rome to India, these cultures all have stories about their ideal figure, who teach their people as their noble rulers, through their journey on worthy quests, or even just illustrate their proper place in family traditions. The people of these cultures admired these rulers because they symbolize the ideal version of their traditions.
Despite these stories coming from different time periods, religions, and cultures, they …show more content…
These polytheistic cultures have God’s, who are known for their intelligence or wisdom, and so leaders are often associated with having these qualities. In the Egyptian myths both Ra and Isis have to use their intellect to solve a problem to save the kingdom. Ra must stop a bloodthirsty Sekhmet, but said that she “cannot be stayed except by a trick… and shall not feel that honor has been taken from her.” His plan succeeded and Sekhmet was taken care of due to his wisdom and skillful planning. Thoth the god of wisdom and magic instructed Isis and Osiris, who went on to rule Egypt together and they also proved their intelligence by fooling Ra into giving up the throne. Egyptians valued a leader’s wisdom, and thought it was kind for a ruler to trick a foe without taking away their honor. India’s tales on the other hand use intelligence to defeat their rivals in strategy. Rama wasn’t described specifically as being smart, but he showed his wisdom by utilizing others opinions to make a plan. When Vibishana wanted to join Rama, he “thought it over and asked his battle companions one by one what they thought of the visitor.” After hearing the testimony of his friends, he used the positives and negatives brought to his attention to make his decision. He weighed his options and then acted the best way he could, which is a trait Indians sought after in a leader. Romans, …show more content…
When Isis and Osiris ruled over Egypt they were wise leaders, who taught their people the many skills they had forgotten such as farming, making bread, and living with laws and peace. They brought peace back to the kingdom and the people loved them for it, but the real loyalty was between Isis and Osiris. After Set killed Osiris, Isis spent years tracking down his body so he could pass into the Land of the Dead. After she finally found him she had to search again because Set then cut the body into pieces. Her endless quest symbolized the devotion that is expected of not just a Queen to her King, but of all. This standard of loyalty is also present in Indian culture through Rama and Sita. When Rama was heading into isolation,” Sita follows Rama because she says “[her] place is at [Rama’s] side wherever [he] may be…”Her dedication to Rama was matched only be his dedication to her. After Ravana took Sita, Rama searched endlessly for her. This loyalty not only proved their love for each other, but also illustrated the devotion expected to one’s partner. In addition to Sita, Rama also showed unquestioning loyalty to his father by only saying, “I will carry out his wishes without question” as his parting words. Rama represents Indian ideals and values in his actions, which he shows through his dedication to his wife and father. Because he is just and loyal he is given