
Lesson 3 of 5
Isis
Divine Bio



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More on Egyptian Gods
Lesson 1 of 5 • Quiz
Embark on an Ancient Egyptian belief journey

Lesson 2 of 5
Osiris

Lesson 3 of 5
Isis

Lesson 4 of 5
Amun-Ra

Lesson 5 of 5
Anubis

Common questions
Why does the Egyptian goddess Isis wear a throne on her head?
Her Egyptian name, Aset, means "throne" or "seat," and the throne on her head is that name in pictorial form. It marked her as the power behind the pharaoh's rule. Later, as Isis took on traits of Hathor, she was also shown wearing a sun disk between cow horns.
How did the Egyptian goddess Isis become so powerful?
Through magic and cunning. In one myth, Isis discovered the secret name of the sun god Ra, which increased her power. Egyptians also called on her as a healer and protector, and over time, she absorbed traits of older goddesses, rising from a secondary figure beside Osiris to one of the most popular deities.
Was the Egyptian goddess Isis worshipped outside Egypt?
Yes, Isis was worshipped across the Greco-Roman world. Under Greek rulers of Egypt, she was paired with the god Serapis and linked to Greek goddesses, and under Roman rule, her cult spread through the empire, with temples in Rome. Her worship faded once pagan worship was banned.
Why is the Egyptian goddess Isis called the great mother?
Isis is called the great mother because she was the mother of Horus and was seen as the divine mother of every pharaoh, who was likened to Horus. She also protected women and children, and her help was invoked in healing spells for ordinary people. Statues often show her nursing her son.