Here are some facts about Horus, one of the most important Ancient Egyptian Gods.
- Horus was worshiped from the very beginning of the Ancient Egyptian period to the very end. He was incredibly important and his role evolved over time.
- Horus is often said to be the son of Isis and Osiris, but one of the Ancient Egyptian myths says that Hathor was his mother. Other myths state that Horus was the son of Nut and Geb, and Osiris, Isis, Set and Nephthys were his siblings.
- Horus is usually depicted as either a falcon, or a man with a falcon head.
- Horus was the national, patron god of the Ancient Egyptians. He was also known as the god of the sky, the god of hunting and the god of war. In addition, he was associated with the sun and protection.
- For much of the Ancient Egyptian period, the Egyptian Pharaohs believed that they were Horus in human form.
- Horus fought many battles with Set (who had killed his father) in order to decide who would control Egypt. Horus finally gains the throne of Egypt, but Set remains Lord of the Desert.
- The Eye of Horus (the Wedjat Eye) is an important Ancient Egyptian symbol of protection. The sign was often painted on boats to ward against shipwrecks and storms.
What next? Learn about some of the other Ancient Egyptian gods, or take a look at our Ancient Egyptian resources page.
