Research On Nephthys In Ancient Egypt

The god Nephthys was an essential deity in the ancient Egyptian pantheon,a member of the Ennead orders of Heliopolis,whose role in the Osiris myth of weeping and mourning,seeking and resurrecting Osiris is its most iconic image.Throughout Egyptian history,the name of Nephthys has been variously interpreted as ‘Mistress of Temple’,‘Mistress of Funerary’,‘Mistress of the House’,‘Mistress of Royal Family’ and ‘Mistress of Builders’,reflecting its close association with religion,burial,seth,royal family and build.Firstly,Nephthys and Isis have always been seen as co-born beings throughout Egyptian history,sharing functions and duties.Secondly,the spouse of Nephthys is usually considered to be Seth,but she also has a relationship with the god Osiris that is outside the norm.Overall,the study of the god Nephthys not only contributes to a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian political and religious life,but also sheds important light on the exploration of funerary practices and marital life in ancient Egypt.This article takes the god Nephthys as its subject and provides a more systematic account of its name,image,functions,changing identity and the impact it had on ancient Egypt.The main body of the text consists of three parts.In the first part,the origins of the god Nephthys are briefly described.It mainly covers the various interpretations of the god’s name,the human and animal figures and the origins of her Heliopolis lineage,in an attempt to form an initial knowledge of the god Nephthys.The second part deals specifically with the evolution and development of the god Nephthys.Supported by ancient Egyptian texts and archaeological excavations,this part provides an in-depth analysis of the god Nephthys’ functions as protector of the dead,guardian of kingship and guardian of the Nile,and explores the complex relationship between the goddess and Isis,Seth and Osiris using marriage as a thread,so that the changing identity in relation to the gods reflects the particular evolutionary historical process of the god.In the third section,the influence of the god Nephthys on ancient Egyptian society is systematically profiled.As an important deity in ancient Egypt,the god Nephthys not only had a great influence on funerary rituals and funerary objects,but was also to some extent the source and basis of royal blood marriages in ancient Egypt,and had a profound influence on Egyptian politics through her relationship with Horus and her serpentine mark.