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Philae

Egyptian mythology

Philae

A sacred island temple complex devoted to Isis, where the goddess wept and her tears caused the Nile to flood.

Characters
Anuket · Hathor · Horus · Isis · Khnum · Nephthys · Osiris · Satis

Philae is a sacred island near Aswan whose temple complex was devoted to Isis. The nearby First Cataract was the flood's mythical source, watched over by Khnum, Satis and Anuket, and Pausanias heard that the Nile rose with the tears Isis wept for Osiris. On nearby Biga lay a tomb of Osiris, where Isis was believed to bring offerings; her mourning, with Nephthys, is told in Isis Resurrects Osiris.

The temples, mostly Ptolemaic, also honored Hathor and the birth of Horus. Isis was worshipped here longest: the last known hieroglyphic inscription was carved in AD 394. Threatened by the Aswan dams, the temples were moved to Agilkia island in 1977-1980.

Quick questions

What is Philae?

A sacred island temple complex devoted to Isis, where the goddess wept and her tears caused the Nile to flood.

Which mythology does Philae belong to?

Philae belongs to Egyptian mythology.

Which myths feature Philae?

The myth that features Philae is “Isis Resurrects Osiris”.

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