Priest holding a vase from the eastern harbor of Alexandria in the "Egypt's Lost Cities" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Priest holding a vase from the eastern harbor of Alexandria in the "Egypt's Lost Cities" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum through April 12, 2020.
This young priest, carved in black granite holds a vase depicting Osiris, whose cult flourished among Romano-Egyptians in the late 1st century CE. The cult of Isis and Osiris continued at Philae until at least the 450s CE, long after Roman imperial decrees of the late 4th century that ordered the closing of temples to "pagan" gods. Philae was the last major ancient Egyptian temple to be closed. The ritual reenactment of Osiris's funeral rites were held in the last month of the inundation (the annual Nile flood), coinciding with Spring, and held at Abydos which was the traditional place where the body of Osiris drifted ashore after having been drowned in the Nile. Some elements of the ceremony were held in the temple, while others involved public participation in a form of theater. The Stela of Ikhernofret recounts the program of events of the public elements over the five days of the Festival:
The First Day, The Procession of Wepwawet: A mock battle was enacted during which the enemies of Osiris are defeated. A procession was led by the god Wepwawet ("opener of the way")
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The Second Day, The Great Procession of Osiris: The body of Osiris was taken from his temple to his tomb. The boat he was transported in, the "Neshmet" bark, had to be defended against his enemies.

The Third Day: Osiris is Mourned and the Enemies of the Land are Destroyed.

The Fourth Day, Night Vigil: Prayers and recitations are made and funeral rites performed.

The Fifth Day, Osiris is Reborn: Osiris is reborn at dawn and crowned with the crown of Ma'at. A statue of Osiris is brought to the temple

Priest holding a vase from the eastern harbor of Alexandria in the "Egypt's Lost Cities" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.  Image courtesy of Allan Gluck.


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