Seshat and the Power of Writing in Ancient Egypt’s Early Civilisation
I have been trying to find out more about the ancient
Egyptian gods. So today I want to talk about the god Seshat.
Seshat was associated with writing, measurement, and
record-keeping. She is often shown holding a notched palm stem, that marks the
passage of time. She also wears a distinctive star-like emblem above her head.
As Egyptian society began to develop, writing became more important and Seshat’s role grew ever more with it. It was believed that she recorded the deeds of the pharaoh, to measure out temple foundations, and to keep track of important events.
She was also linked to knowledge, not just the act of
writing, but of the preservation of ideas. In a world where so much was dependant
on memory and traditions, that role would have been seen as incredibly
important.
She represents the idea that understanding and recording the
world is just as important as shaping it. Think how easily things can be
forgotten, and how much effort it takes to preserve them.
Do you think that the scribes felt that they may have had a responsibility,
and that their words might have future importance?
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