Religious belief formed a vital part of daily life for the ancient Egyptians, whose gods took on vivid human or animal form in art, architecture, and writing. Religious belief was held in a very personal way as well. Each man and woman carried on a certain relationship with the gods he or she believed in, addressing his or her prayers and supplications to the deities that watched over life, work, home, and family. All Egyptians hoped for the favor of the gods that would bring good fortune, and all feared the wrath of those gods who demanded attention and sacrifice from all who would remain in their good graces.

In ancient Egypt, there was no doubt about the existence of the gods and their powers. The effects of the supernatural were present everywhere: in the rising of the...