Similarly, the Egyptians understood the importance of control and rule over their people and to reach a great majority their religious texts fit the bill. Many gods were worshipped in this poly-theistic culture and how better to control the people if the gods they worshipped enforced control. One specific god that fulfilled this role was Horus, a falcon-headed god of the sky. He was often presented next to statues of pharaohs and therefore gave the impression the pharaoh was one with the gods. The idea was that a falcon could fly overhead and watch all of the lands below. Sometimes reaching heights it seemed to disappear and therefore represented by a sun-disc on Horus’ head. “Such a powerful creature was, therefore, like the bull, appropriated by the pharaohs” to maintain control of the people by discouraging any revolts (Attenborough). The pharaoh was essentially a god, and going against the will of the gods would not end well.
Although the Sumerians may have been treated to violent scenes of public ritual, they did have some freedoms in their society. Their organization gave them a surplus of food, which “allowed many people to pursue occupations other than farming, while still being able to meet their basic needs. These people became artisans, merchants, and craftspeople”(Life in). These occupations could be chosen on their own accords and therefore gave the people the freedom to choose. The freedom to do what they wanted to do in their free time.
Recent comments