The Ancients

Ra and the Sun Gods

8 snips
Sep 19, 2024
Discover the captivating journey of Ra, the Egyptian sun god, as he sails across the sky and battles in the underworld. Unearth his complex nature, merging with other deities and influencing monumental structures like the pyramids. Explore the rise of Amun and the unique worship during Akhenaten’s reign, where the Aten took center stage. Delve into the rich symbolism of rebirth and the enduring legacy of Ra, reflecting on how his influence spanned from ancient times to later periods of history.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Ra's Importance

  • The ancient Egyptians revered the sun god as the primary manifestation of divinity.
  • Ra, whose name means "sun," is the most well-known sun god, appearing in various forms and combinations.
INSIGHT

Re-Horakhty

  • Ra and Horus, both depicted with falcon heads, combine as Re-Horakhty.
  • This signifies Ra's control over both the rising and setting sun, representing the sun's complete visible journey.
ANECDOTE

Stele of Bakkenkonsu

  • A wooden stele depicts a priest, Bakkenkonsu, offering to Re-Horakhty.
  • Re-Horakhty, seated and holding crook and flail, demonstrates his kingship over the gods.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app