Ancient Egyptian Religion: Gods, Death, and the Afterlife — Fexingo History
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Bes, the dwarf god who was one of ancient Egypt's most beloved household deities. Unlike the grand state gods of temples and pyramids, Bes protected families, mothers in childbirth, and sleeping children. Lucas explains how Bes's unusual appearance—a bearded dwarf with a lion's mane, sticking out his tongue—was deliberately frightening to ward off evil spirits like snakes and scorpions. They discuss the god's origins in African dwarf gods, his worship in ordinary homes rather than formal temples, and his role in music, dance, and the festival of drunkenness for Hathor. The conversation covers the 'Bes chambers' at Saqqara, amulets found in houses across Egypt, and how Bes's cult spread to Cyprus, Persia, and even Rome. Lucas highlights evidence from Deir el-Medina showing that workers left offerings to Bes for protection. They also touch on Bes as a god of childbirth, with scenes on ivory wands and birth houses. The episode ends by connecting Bes's protective, joyful nature to the everyday lives of ancient Egyptians, a contrast to the formal afterlife-focused religion. #Bes #AncientEgyptianReligion #HouseholdGod #DwarfGod #ChildbirthProtection #MusicGod #Saqqara #DeirElMedina #Amulets #FestivalOfDrunkenness #Hathor #AfricanDwarfGods #EgyptianMagic #Heka #LatePeriod #Ptolemaic #RomanEgypt #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]
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