7. NATURE OF THE GODS; DIVINE PLACE AND WISDOM

Note: Quiz does not pre-empt exam 1

Nature of Gods

Names

Physical features

Two Egyptian words/concepts:

KHEPERU (literally "forms")
-projections of gods' qualities, powers, etc.

IRU (literally "something made")-visual manifestation of one of a god's KHEPERU

Example of Ptah:

--
Creator god of Memphis: raw forces and potential

KHEPERU
Ptah with specific characteristics: creator god, brings creation into being with speech

IRU
Visible, tangible manifestation of god Ptah

Gods' bodies

Flesh

Gold
Silver
Lapis Lazuli

God's flesh in representational art:

Special (Green, Blue, Black: fertility, death, rebirth, creator--Osiris, Ptah, etc.)

Typical (Male: dark or reddish brown, Female: yellow or gold)

Ideal appearances of gods

Gods' bodies vulnerable but regenerative

Gods' bodies produce:
Breath
smell
bodily fluids:
- spit
- tears
- semen
- blood
- sweat

Gods' waste (urine, excrement)

Gods consume: food & drink + special things

Gods' bodies:
-Size
-Clothed/unclothed
-Animal forms

Gods' bodies in action:
Birth, childhood
Social interaction
Sex
Sickness and injury
Fighting
Age and death

Gods' space

"heavens"

Gods" Egypt

Egypt: Nile Valley

Delta: papyrus thicket

Outside of Egypt

"Netherworld"

Gods' knowledge

Inborn and acquired/Innate and learned

SIA: All possible knowledge (“sign of
  recognition”)

REKH: transmittable knowledge

HEKA: “gut” knowledge (“magic”)

Power of knowing a name:

A god’s secret name

Myth of Isis and Re

Thoth: god of wisdom, speech, language,
writing, etc.

HU: “creative voice”
|| SIA “sign of recognition”

Writing: “divine words”

Thoth as scribe