Utt

Aset in the Earliest Ancient Texts

The Pyramid Texts with reference to Aset, also known as Isis.

The Pyramid Texts represent the oldest collection of religious literature from ancient Egypt. Beginning with Unas or Wenis, the last king of the 5th Dynasty in about 2350 BCE, varying selections of spells were carved in all the royal pyramids of the Old Kingdom, including those of great royal wives.

The texts reflect a vision of the afterlife modeled on the nightly journey of the sun through the underworld, or Duat, on its way to rebirth at dawn. As the sun received the power of new life by joining with the body of Osiris/Wesir in the depths, the deceased’s spirit gained the same power by uniting each night with the deceased’s mummy in the sarcophagus chamber. Along with this solar concept of daily resurrection, the Pyramid Texts also contain evidence of an earlier stellar concept, in which the deceased’s spirit became one of the imperishable stars in the northern sky.

Aset/Isis appears textually earliest within the Pyramid Texts. There are some possible archaeological finds that indicate Her appearance earlier (see Earliest Evidence of Aset), However, as yet there is no evidence of any shrine or temple to her that dates to the Predynastic, Early Dynastic or Old Kingdom periods.

Khemmis, referred to in the Pyramid Texts as the place where Isis fled to bear Horus, the son of Osiris, was in the Delta. Also known as Akhmim, Isis hid there with Her son until he grew old enough to put forth his claim to the Kingship as heir to His father Osiris/Wesir.

The references in the Pyramid Texts to Isis, herein called Aset, show Her often in tandem with her sister, the goddess Nepthys, herein called Nebt-Het. The two goddesses are seen acting on behalf of the deceased king, greeting him, proclaiming him to the gods, extending him good will, assisting in his resurrection. They bring the deceased to life in the next world, providing nourishment in the form of milk, nursing him, restoring him, holding him and giving him his heart, protecting him, mourning him.

Isis is also shown alone performing similar protective and preparing activities for the deceased. Very few of the texts speak of Her in connection specifically with Osiris, and then, only referring to his impregnating her. Very few of the texts speak of Her as the mother of Horus, The texts contain no indication of Isis' marital affection or maternal love for Osiris or Horus which appears in text and art during the New Kingdom period.

The Pyramid Texts

Utt. 219, sect. 172: O Aset, this one here is your brother Wesir, whom you have caused to be restored that he may live; if he lives, this king will live; if he does not die, this King will not die.

Utt. 357, sect. 584 Aset and Nebt-Het have seen and found you, Heru has reassembled you, Heru has caused Aset and Nebt-Het to protect you, they have given you to Heru and he is pleased with you.

Utt. 366, sect 632: Your sister Aset comes to you rejoicing for love of you. You have placed her on your phallus and your seed issues into her, she being ready as Sothis, and Heru-Sopd has come forth from you as Heru who is in Sothis.

Utt. 406, sect 707: Bring me the milk of Aset, the flood of Nebt-Het, the overspill of the lake, the surge of the sea, life, prosperity, health, happiness, bread, beer, clothing and food, that I may live thereby.

Utt. 511, sect 1154: Aset conceives me, Nebt-Het begets me, and I sit on the Great Throne which the gods have made.

Utt. 572, sect. 1472: “How lovely to see, how pleasing to behold!” says Aset, when you ascend to the sky, your power upon you, your terror about you, your magic at your feet;

Utt. 600, sect. 1655: O you Great Ennead which is on On, Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Wesir, Aset, Set, and Nebt-Het; O you children of Atum, extend his goodwill to his child in your name of Nine Bows.

Utt 664A, sect.1886: O Wesir the King, I am Aset; I have come into the middle of this earth, into the place where you are; I have come and have laid hold of you.

Utt. 667B, sect.1951: Heru comes with bound hair as the protector of his father, he stands as Heru upon the river-bank with his sisters Aset and Nebt-Het beside him.

Utt. 701, sect 2188-2195: The Great One has fallen in Nedit, the throne is released by its occupant (?). She who is in Iseion raises you, the god is released. Heru comes forth from Chemmis; Pe attends on Heru and he is purified there. Heru comes pure that he may protect his father…..I am your sister who loves you, say Aset and Nebt-Het; they lament you, they arouse you. O King, raise yourself…your thousand of bread, your thousand of beer, your thousand of oxen, your thousand of fowl, roast meat of the two ribs from the slaughter-block of the god, a t-wr-loaf and a ith-loat from the Broad Hall.

Sources: Pyramid Texts translated by R.O. Faulkner

"5 Egyptian Goddesses in the Third Millennium BC" by Susan Tower Hollis

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