Set
Set is a supernatural being. He was worshipped in ancient Egypt as a god of deserts, storms, darkness and chaos.
History
In 1995, the Emir used the Scroll of Thoth to bind the jackal god Anubis with a spell that invoked the power of Osiris, Isis and Set.
Characteristics
Set is a Trickster figure much like Puck, Anansi or Coyote (though a much nastier one).[1]
Appearances
- "Grief" (Mentioned Only)
Real World History
Savagely tearing himself from his mother's womb at birth, Seth is the son of the gods Geb and Nut and brother of Osiris and Isis. He became lord of deserts, storms and chaos while Osiris and Isis became the first King and Queen of Egypt. Set grew jealous of his brother and eventually murdered him, viciously dismembering Osiris's corpse into fourteen pieces and scattering them across the land. Set then seized the throne and ruled Egypt for many years before being himself overthrown by Osiris's son the falcon god Horus.
Despite his brutal nature or perhaps because of it, Set served a vital role in the Egyptian pantheon. He was charged with protecting the sun god Ra from the great serpent demon Apophis. Every night as the golden barge of Ra travelled through the underworld, Apophis would lie in wait, intent on devouring the sun god. As one of the mightiest and warlike gods, only Set possessed the strength to meet the serpent demon in battle night after night.
Set’s cult was traditionally centred in the city of Ombos in Upper Egypt. The worship of Set often fell into disrepute as the cults of rival deities such as Osiris and Horus became more influential. The followers of these gods often saw Set as the embodiment of all evil. Despite this the cult of Set enjoyed brief but intense periods of revival throughout ancient Egyptian history. During the seventeenth century Egypt was ruled by a tribe of Semitic conquers known as the Hyksos. During this time, the invaders adopted Set as their patron deity, building many temples in his honour and elevating him to the status of supreme deity.
Ramses the Great, perhaps the most powerful pharaoh in Egyptian history was also a devout worshipper of Set, considering him equal to the great creator gods Ra, Amon and Ptah. Ramses no doubt inherited his faith from his father Seti I, whose name means “Servant of Set”.
Also, Set really likes lettuce.
See also
- Set at Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
