Lesson 3 of 5

Isis

Let’s discover the story of the goddess of magic, who was the divine wife of all pharaohs, and a role model for every ancient Egyptian woman.

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Story to tell

Isis was one of five children born to Geb, the god of the earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky. She and her future husband — Osiris — fell in love while still in their mother's womb. She was by his side for all eternity.

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More on Egyptian Gods

  1. Lesson 1 of 5 • Quiz

    Embark on an Ancient Egyptian belief journey

  2. Lesson 2 of 5

    Osiris

  3. Lesson 3 of 5

    Isis

  4. Lesson 4 of 5

    Amun-Ra

  5. Lesson 5 of 5

    Anubis

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Common questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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