This page includes information that may not reflect the current views and values of the Penn Museum.

egypt gods + goddesses egypt galleries egypt expeditions egypt home gods and goddesses
museum sitemap museum search contact the websiters museum homepage

seth

Gods & Goddesses

SETH

Seth was the murderer of his brother Osiris, and later contended with Osiris' son, Horus, for the throne of Egypt. Seth lost the fight and his rule was limited to the chaotic world of Egypt's deserts, foreign lands, and the threatening seas. His consort is his sister-wife Nepthys. At some points in Egyptian history, the god Seth was reviled as a hated enemy, while at others, his popularity was raised to the point of becoming the patron deity of the Ramesside period (1292-1075 B.C.). Seth also played the beneficial role of fighting the serpent of Apophis (the enemy of the sun god Re), who tries to attack the "solar bark" or "solar boat" as it crosses the sky. Seth is usually shown as man with the head of an unknown animal with a long, curved snout, tall, squared off ears, and a pointy tail.

[top]


Egypt Home | Expeditions Past and Present | Gallery Tour | Gods and Goddesses