Reading Notes: Ancient Egypt Part A

Gods of Egyptian Mythology in Wikimedia Commons

Osiris + Isis + Set + Horus

After Osiris' birth, it was proclaimed that he would be the lord of all things, then when Ra passed to heaven Osiris took his throne and ruled over Egypt. When Osiris took power men were savages, so he made laws and decrees to bring peace. Isis was Osiris' consort and also helped mankind with her wisdom. Osiris taught men to sow the seed and then harvest it. When he saw that all was good in Egypt, he proceeded to bring good and wisdom to other parts of the world, not by conquering them but by being reasonable and gentle. Isis ruled over Egypt while her husband was away which angered Set, Osiris' brother. He preferred warfare over peace and his heart was filled with evil. He attempted a rebellion, but Isis frustrated his plans. He then decided to directly overcome Osiris. 

Set had a chest made to Osiris' exact measurements, and claimed he would gift it to whomever perfectly fit in it. One by one all the guests lay in the chest, but only Osiris filled it perfectly. The Set's follower shut the chest, nailed it and sealed it with lead, then throwing it into the Nile. Set ascended to the thrones, whilst Isis became a fugitive and swore to find her husband's body.

Isis gave birth to her son Horus and then gave him to the goddess Oazit to care for him, but one day she found him dead by the bite of a scorpion. She prayed to Ra, who sent Thotus to restore the child's life. Horus eventually reclaims the throne and the gods deemed him the rightful ruler of Egypt.

Story source: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie (1907).