Isfet (Egyptian mythology)

Isfet ( Engl. " wrong " or " violence " ) is a term derived from the ancient Egyptian belief, which from a religious, political and socially oriented ambiguity ( dualism ) was coined.

Principle and ideology

Isfet was considered a counterpart to Maat ( Engl. " (world) order" or " harmony "). Isfet and Maat were in the eyes of the Egyptians a complementary, albeit paradoxical duality: the one could not exist without the other. An Egyptian ruler (Pharaoh) was instructed to destroy the Isfet to " realize " to the mate, that is, he had to ensure, through case law and cult currencies for order and harmony. The principle of contrast between Isfet and Maat, for example, in a popular tale from the Middle Kingdom, the " actions of the oasis man ", impressively described:

"Whoever destroys the lie that promotes Maat, who promotes the good, makes evil naught, as satiety sells hunger, Clothing covered the naked, like the sky is serene after a violent storm. "

In the eyes of the ancient Egyptians, the world was ambiguous, acting and directing the righteous king they agreed decisive leap, by separating the good from the evil. First religious expressions with respect to the antagonism Isfet / Maat can be found in the Pyramid Texts of King Unas (5th Dynasty, Old Kingdom).