이집트에서의 영웅의 탄생과 성장: 어린이 신 호루스의 탄생 및 성장 신화를 중심으로

Abstract

This paper focuses on the mythology of Horus that offers a rare glimpse on the birth and growth of a hero in ancient Egypt, which happens to be a civilization that notably lacks stories of heroes. For this, the aspects of Horus will be reviewed through three important stages of the deity's childhood: (1) the posthumous conception and birth of Horus; (2) Horus as an infant-child who was born and hidden after his birth by his mother-goddess in the papyrus thicket of Akhbit (so called, the Chemmis Motif); and (3) Horus as a youth who has grown strong enough to wrest the kingship of Egypt from Seth.When he belongs to the cycle of the Osiris myth, Horus is usually mentioned as the son of Isis. In this role, Horus is known as Harsiese, which literally means, Horus Son of Isis. In the cycle of the Osirian myth, Harsiese is born, nurtured, protected and raised by his devoted mother-goddess Isis who conceived him after the murder of her husband Osiris by his brother Seth. Later he grows up to avenge his father Osiris and takes his place as a legitimate ruler of Egypt.Even though the birth and growth of Horus seems to follow the pattern of a typical hero story, it should be noted that the deity's childhood story fits well with the cyclical concept of time held by the ancient Egyptians, which can be attested by the fact that, as is the case with the sun-child, the Horus child plays an important role on each of the cosmic, kingship and funerary levels. On the cosmic level, the Horus child symbolizes the renewal of the cosmos (as a third member of the divine triad, which represents the future generation). On the kingship level, the whole drama about the childhood of Horus from birth to coronation provides a mythic basis for legitimizing the kingship Moreover, the birth of the divine child also guarantees the continuity of life and the dynastic rule through the succession of generations. On the mortuary level, a transition between two successive generations represents the dynamic transformation from father to son, from death to life. Therefore, the deceased identified themselves with Osiris so that they might follow the mythic precedent of his salvation from death through vengeance and justification by his dutiful son.