Maät : die god wat in elkeen is

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The concept of Ma'at is crucial to Ancient Egyptian culture. In Ancient Egypt, Ma'athas two closely related manifestations: the cultural principle and the goddess.Ma'at as general cultural principle relates to the perfect order that was present at themoment when the cosmos came into being. This order eliminated chaos and createdperfect balance in every aspect of the cosmos: nature, mankind, the gods, life anddeath. According to Ancient Egyptian literature, people ordered their lives in terms ofthe principle to do Ma 'at. This principle amounted to living honestly and justly. Inthis way, order was maintained and chaos prevented.In religion, which should be considered a subdomain of culture, Ma'at functions as anAncient Egyptian goddess. As a goddess, Ma'at was considered a being in her ownright, with a characteristic appearance, a history, and a cult which was performed bythe pharaoh and the priests.Though the conception ofMa'at developed considerably in the long history ofAncient Egypt, the idea was present at the beginning of Egyptian civilization, as isattested by a great variety of inscriptions. The concept played a significant role in thisculture from beginning to end.Ma'at was of particular importance to Ancient Egyptian royalty. Royal officeincluded the realization of Ma'at and the consequent destruction ofIsfet. Thisfunction was performed by the pharaoh as chief of all cults - by daily sacrifice forMa'at --, as well as in his role as ruler - by ensuring that public office was performedaccording to the principle ofMa'at.The Ancient Egyptians maintained that Ma'at functioned not only in life but also indeath. In the alternative reality that Ancient Egypt made of death, order obtained, justas in life. Hence Ma' at was present also in death.The essence of Ancient Egypt is not its structures, such as the pyramids, which nevercease to fascinate. This essence has to be sought in the way Ma'at gave unity to thisremarkable culture.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University