The Osirian Cult in Temples' Crypts in Egypt during the Greco-Roman Period

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Guidance Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Textual and iconographic evidences confirm the existence of the Osirian cult in the crypts of the temples which were regarded as the tomb of Osiris. Wabet rooms were connected with Osiris as the cult of solar deities was identified with the funerary function of Osiris by the late Period. Temples' crypts became the starting point of the Osirian festival of Khoiak. This is attested in the temples of Denderah, Edfu, Aramant, and Opet temple. In the crypts of Armant, Osiris was connected with Montu and was identified with god Sokar in the crypts of Edfu. The Osirian ritual of giving cool water is represented in the Crypts of Denderah. Crypts nos. 1 and 2 in Edfu temple were consecrated to preserve the reliquary leg of Osiris. The khekeru frieze and the Hwt bennu sign, which were connected with the Osirian cult, appeared on a large scale in the temples' crypts.

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