Post by Marquis Black on Jul 27, 2007 14:21:53 GMT -5
Lesson II - Ancient Egypt
2.1 Egypt
One of the oldest civilizations around, Egypt has always been a focal point in the Magical World's development into a separate, stabilized society. Unlike their Sumerian predecessors, the Egyptian wizards, we can confirm, had complete knowledge of their powers and its application. That is not to say, however, that they knew how to create or perform everything, but their knowledge is proportionally astounding.
It is also through the Egyptians, that the ancient art of alchemy was developed.
2.2 Ancient Egyptian Wizards
Unlike the Sumerians, Egyptian wizards had no need to truly hide behind the facade of godliness. Muggle pharaohs of every dynasty actively sought out our ancient Magical brethren and held them close for wisdom, prophecy, and protection. Many were, of course, charlatans--either Muggles who used cheap tricks to convince the weaker minded kings, or inept Wizards who claimed much power, but truly had little. Or even Squibs.
However, there have been instances whereby Egyptian wizards have tried to emulate the earlier Sumerian wizards and claimed godly status. One such wizard, it is popularly believed, was Set, the infamous Egyptian Dark Lord who murdered his brother, Osiris. Another was Apep, "God" of Chaos and Destruction, more commonly known as Apophis.
However, Egyptian mythology is far too complex to actually find a linear path through it, which is another reason modern scholars believe that the Egyptian gods were, for the most part, Wizards.
2.3 Egyptian Wizarding Conflict
One particularly salient feature of Egyptian Wizards, it seems, was conflict. Starting specifically with Ra and Apep, conflict dominated much of their time. It is believed that during these conflicts, Ra managed to acquire a following of several wizards, all of which remained loyal to him, but not to each other. Similarly, Apep managed to recruit so-called "demons". Whether these demons were, in fact, the ancient daemon creatures of the Dark remains to be seen, although no evidence has suggested that they weren't.
However, beyond the massive battles between Ra and Apep were inter-faction conflicts, like the one of Osiris and Set, as well as the following conflict between Horus (Osiris' son) and Set. Conflict did not even need to be inter-faction, however, as many of the "gods" were also sometimes sent by Ra against the Muggle population, only to later become their protectors, before returning to savage them.
2.4 Fall to Darkness
However, as the years went by, decadence began to affect one of the Ra faction's gods. That "god" was Set. Set, it has been recorded, began associating more and more with the Darker Arts as the battle between Apep and Ra continued, eventually falling, though without the others' knowledge.
Unfortunately, in the Dark-induced madness he'd fallen into, Set turned on his brother Osiris, whom he perceived as a usurper for having taken the Egyptian throne, and killed him in a manner most foul. Set, blinded by the Darkness, then took the throne for himself, while Isis, both his and Osiris' sister, fled with Osiris' torn body.
Not much is known about Isis and Osiris until a few years later, when it is known that a wizard named Horus, Osiris' son with Isis (incestual relationships were not as frowned upon in those times), returned and challenged Set, who had, by now, completely given himself to the Dark Arts.
After what Egyptians recorded as a god-like battle, Horus emerged victorious, but failed to kill Set who, despite mortal wounds, managed to escape.
Though not much more is recorded of Set, the Egyptians would later accuse foreign invaders of being worshippers of Set, which has led many scholars to believe that, with each invading army, Set came along, driving the foreigners to help him retake what the Dark Lord believed was his.
With the fall of Egypt to the Romans, however, it was not soon after that Set practically disappeared, replaced by the Muggle Christian deity of Jesus Christ, whom many scholars have simply dubbed "The Light Bringer" for his defeat of the Dark Lords in the Roman and Persian Magical communities.
Assignment II: In this lesson, we have discussed two different Dark Lords: Apep and Set. Both Dark Lords have, for one reason or another, managed to live lives far beyond the modern scope of most wizards and have, in fact, managed to resuscitate. Give at least three possibilities for this unusual phenomenon and explain how such possibilities have an impact on Egyptian studies.
Word Count: Min - 100 words. Max - 1000.
Due: Monday
(Note: Do not reference the books directly or speak of one of the HP characters as if present. Imagine you're in another school, or that they never happened, but the overall knowledge is the same)
2.1 Egypt
One of the oldest civilizations around, Egypt has always been a focal point in the Magical World's development into a separate, stabilized society. Unlike their Sumerian predecessors, the Egyptian wizards, we can confirm, had complete knowledge of their powers and its application. That is not to say, however, that they knew how to create or perform everything, but their knowledge is proportionally astounding.
It is also through the Egyptians, that the ancient art of alchemy was developed.
2.2 Ancient Egyptian Wizards
Unlike the Sumerians, Egyptian wizards had no need to truly hide behind the facade of godliness. Muggle pharaohs of every dynasty actively sought out our ancient Magical brethren and held them close for wisdom, prophecy, and protection. Many were, of course, charlatans--either Muggles who used cheap tricks to convince the weaker minded kings, or inept Wizards who claimed much power, but truly had little. Or even Squibs.
However, there have been instances whereby Egyptian wizards have tried to emulate the earlier Sumerian wizards and claimed godly status. One such wizard, it is popularly believed, was Set, the infamous Egyptian Dark Lord who murdered his brother, Osiris. Another was Apep, "God" of Chaos and Destruction, more commonly known as Apophis.
However, Egyptian mythology is far too complex to actually find a linear path through it, which is another reason modern scholars believe that the Egyptian gods were, for the most part, Wizards.
2.3 Egyptian Wizarding Conflict
One particularly salient feature of Egyptian Wizards, it seems, was conflict. Starting specifically with Ra and Apep, conflict dominated much of their time. It is believed that during these conflicts, Ra managed to acquire a following of several wizards, all of which remained loyal to him, but not to each other. Similarly, Apep managed to recruit so-called "demons". Whether these demons were, in fact, the ancient daemon creatures of the Dark remains to be seen, although no evidence has suggested that they weren't.
However, beyond the massive battles between Ra and Apep were inter-faction conflicts, like the one of Osiris and Set, as well as the following conflict between Horus (Osiris' son) and Set. Conflict did not even need to be inter-faction, however, as many of the "gods" were also sometimes sent by Ra against the Muggle population, only to later become their protectors, before returning to savage them.
2.4 Fall to Darkness
However, as the years went by, decadence began to affect one of the Ra faction's gods. That "god" was Set. Set, it has been recorded, began associating more and more with the Darker Arts as the battle between Apep and Ra continued, eventually falling, though without the others' knowledge.
Unfortunately, in the Dark-induced madness he'd fallen into, Set turned on his brother Osiris, whom he perceived as a usurper for having taken the Egyptian throne, and killed him in a manner most foul. Set, blinded by the Darkness, then took the throne for himself, while Isis, both his and Osiris' sister, fled with Osiris' torn body.
Not much is known about Isis and Osiris until a few years later, when it is known that a wizard named Horus, Osiris' son with Isis (incestual relationships were not as frowned upon in those times), returned and challenged Set, who had, by now, completely given himself to the Dark Arts.
After what Egyptians recorded as a god-like battle, Horus emerged victorious, but failed to kill Set who, despite mortal wounds, managed to escape.
Though not much more is recorded of Set, the Egyptians would later accuse foreign invaders of being worshippers of Set, which has led many scholars to believe that, with each invading army, Set came along, driving the foreigners to help him retake what the Dark Lord believed was his.
With the fall of Egypt to the Romans, however, it was not soon after that Set practically disappeared, replaced by the Muggle Christian deity of Jesus Christ, whom many scholars have simply dubbed "The Light Bringer" for his defeat of the Dark Lords in the Roman and Persian Magical communities.
Assignment II: In this lesson, we have discussed two different Dark Lords: Apep and Set. Both Dark Lords have, for one reason or another, managed to live lives far beyond the modern scope of most wizards and have, in fact, managed to resuscitate. Give at least three possibilities for this unusual phenomenon and explain how such possibilities have an impact on Egyptian studies.
Word Count: Min - 100 words. Max - 1000.
Due: Monday
(Note: Do not reference the books directly or speak of one of the HP characters as if present. Imagine you're in another school, or that they never happened, but the overall knowledge is the same)