Set

When you hear the word set, you might think about setting the table for dinner or playing a game and hearing someone call the words “ready, set, go!” However, in ancient Egypt, the word Set had an entirely different meaning. Set was, in fact, a powerful deity in Egyptian mythology.

Set’s personality changes throughout ancient Egypt’s history. At first, in the myths, he is seen as a god filled with goodness and heroic qualities. Later, he is portrayed as a jealous god filled with evil. In several myths, he even murders his own brother.

Why is Set such an important god in Egyptian history? Set comes to represent evil in the world much as Satan represents evil in the Christian religion. Eventually, Set battles the god Horus. According to mythology, this battle is considered an epic battle between good and evil. Horus defeats Set, and Set becomes an enemy of the gods, with his name and image removed from various artifacts in ancient Egypt.