Horus

The ancient Greek and Roman cultures were not the only ones greatly influenced by their myriad of deities. Ancient Egypt also has its share of gods and goddesses. One god who was especially important to the ancient Egyptians was the god Horus.

Horus was an extremely powerful deity. His physical description was a mix of human and bird, although at one point, he was simply seen as a hawk or falcon. Later, the image of the god changed. He became a man with the head of a bird. The eyes of Horus were extremely important. According to the myths, his right eye represented the sun, and his left eye was the moon.

Many of the myths surrounding Horus involve his constant struggle with the god Set. Set is said to have killed Horus’s father, and Horus spends much of his time attempting to avenge his death. In various myths, the two gods fight for control and engage in constant contests of strength. In one epic battle, Set blinds Horus, but his eyesight is healed by mystical forces who want Horus to win against Set.

Horus eventually is asked by the gods to rule—just as Zeus is the head of the deities on Mount Olympus in the ancient Greeks’ culture. Horus is able to make amends with the god Set. He even invites him to live in the sky and become the god of storms.