Week 5 Story: Osiris

The story that I am going to be retelling is about Osiris. 

The Beginning

Osiris was born to the God Ra and when he was born the heavens told the oracles and temple men that the child that had just been born to Ra would, “Rule the world with wisdom not seen for hundreds of years.” So, as years passed the temple men and oracles anxiously waiting for the arrival of the one that had been proclaimed wisest God. During the long waiting periods the world was engulfed in violence and torment. Wars raged for years and thousands upon thousands of men, women, and children were casualties of war.  As Osiris grew up, he watched and pondered what he could do to stop man from killing each other. Osiris devised a set of laws and rules that he felt people would respect and follow.  These laws called for everyone to be cordial to everyone and in return he would help them progress with their farming and show them ways to grow better crops.  Of course, while Osiris was doing this his brother, Set, was anxiously waiting for the day that he would take over so that he could descend the world into chaos.  Set knew his brother was compassionate towards the mortals and felt he could use that to his advantage if his brother ever took time off to meet with them in person. While both brothers thought of their different plans for the world, they soon got word that their father had died.

Osiris Takes Over

After Ra, had ascended into heaven Osiris took over and started to shape the world the way he wanted.  He sent oracles and men of the temples visions and commandments that should be put into laws so that everyone could live in harmony.  Now you would think that everyone would respect what the new god wanted but that was not the case.  As Osiris saw that one large battle was still raging, he went down to the battlefield to see why they were fighting.  As he came upon the generals fighting, they both looked at him quizzically because they were wondering why a stranger was approaching them. When Osiris got near to them, he revealed himself and both men were struck down with fear, because they thought they were going to die. Osiris told the men, “I wish you no harm, I am just curious as to why you are fighting and why you are not obeying the laws I have decreed?”  One of the men answered, “Oh god Osiris, this man has destroyed our farm fields and all we have left is a river that runs behind the kingdom; therefore, we cannot grow food.”  Osiris proceeded to ask, “If I show you how to farm will you stop this nonsense?” Both men instantly agreed and then Osiris took both men to the river and showed them how to create an irrigation ditch to let the flow of water nourish the soil and grow crops. Once the crops started to spring back to life the war ended.  Both generals spread the word of how just and compassionate the god Osiris was and thus the reign of Osiris began.

The end

Osiris ruled for hundreds of years and every time there was conflict, he would step in and try to negotiate a peace and it succeeded.  He became known around the world as the God of wisdom and peace.  His laws were always straightforward and kept everyone’s best interest at heart. As he aged, he met and married the beautiful Isis who was exactly like Osiris but in female form.  She held the same interests that he did and defended the world when he went away to meet with mortals to show them new techniques for growing crops. During the time he was away, his evil brother Set tried to undermine both of them and start wars but each time he tried Isis countered and was able to successfully stop each attack. Set kept trying and trying to incite violence in the world, but he kept getting beat by his sister in law and eventually he gave up but decided that he would hide in the shadows until he could make his move.  We may never know what move Set wanted to make but we do know that Osiris and Isis reigned for hundreds of years and during that time peace and prosperity were brought to the world, something that it had not seen in forever.

Osiris (1911)

Creator: NA; Source: Flickr

Authors note: From the story that I have linked I wanted to expand and give the gods more human feelings and emotions.  Adding background to Osiris, I felt was much needed because it allows us to see him in a more compassionate state.  We always hear about how Gods only worry about each other and being worshipped, and Osiris I feel was a different character and to expand the backstory was crucial in making it seem that he wanted more than to be worshipped. It was also important to mention his wife because she was his equal and thought the exact same way he did and yet she was the one to fight off his evil brother Set, who wanted to destroy the world.

Bibliography: Gibbs, Laura. Egypt: Osiris. Egypt: Osiris