ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ancient Egyptian deities

Remember when we talked about imaginary friends? The Ancient Egyptians had their own imaginary friends, but they were actually more like imaginary gods and goddesses. They were special because they had special powers and they could do things that humans could not do.

The Ancient Egyptians believed that there were many gods and goddesses who were in charge of different things. They thought that if they prayed to these gods and goddesses, they could get help with things like growing crops, healing sick people, and protecting themselves in battle.

Some of the gods and goddesses were really important and were worshipped by everyone. They had special temples built just for them, and people gave them offerings like food, flowers, and jewelry to make them happy.

One of the most important gods was Ra, who was the god of the sun. The Ancient Egyptians thought that Ra created the world and gave them light and warmth. They also believed that when people died, their souls would meet with Ra in the afterlife.

Another important goddess was Isis, who was the goddess of motherhood and fertility. The Ancient Egyptians thought that she could help women have babies and protect them during childbirth.

There were also some gods and goddesses who were a bit scarier. Anubis was the god of the dead and was in charge of mummifying people's bodies after they died. People were scared of him because they thought he might decide not to let their soul into the afterlife.

Overall, the Ancient Egyptians believed that their gods and goddesses had a big impact on their lives, and they tried to keep them happy by offering them gifts and being good people.