Reading Notes: Egyptian Myths, Part A

The Death of Osiris by Donald McKenzie (1907)

Osiris was king of Egypt, after Ra had grown old and died. He ruled very fairly, much to the jealousy of his evil brother, Set. When Osiris returned from his trip around the world, a royal feast was held in his honor. Set came, of course, with bad intentions. He brought a very decorated chest that was made in the size of the king. However, no one knew that, but all the men at the feast had wanted to take it home. Set promised he would only give it to the man that fit the chest perfectly. One by one, everyone tried on the chest, but no one could fit it until Osiris tried it on. It fit him perfectly, but before he could take it off, Set's minions shut down the lid and soldered shut with lead. Thus, this chest became a coffin for poor Osiris. This feast then turned into a party of confusion as Osiris was flung into the Nile, floating away. His wife, Isis, vowed to find the body of her husband as Set took the throne, leading an unfair, evil reign. While Isis wandered out in the wilderness, Set was enjoying his tyranny as king, but he still was looking out to kill Isis. 

-I liked how this story is told. The twists and evil in this story makes it fascinating to read. This part was one of the few parts that was easier to understand and not get lost in the story. If I retold this story, I would tell it the same way, making it easier to understand. Many of the Egyptian myths are told in a way that is very hard to interpret and understand! 

(Gizah Pyramids: Wikipedia)