The predominating principal in ancient Egyptian thinking was that of ma'at (Maât). The ordinary people sought comfort with gods: Re - the sun god, Isis, Hathor, Horus, Osiris, Min, Montoe, Ptah, Seth, Thot, Anoebis, Aton, and magic: amulets protecting from snake and scorpion bites, formulas to win someones love, exorcisms and conjurations, letters to ease the living dead. But Ma'at was the all-important.
Ma'at means: order, world order, the yearly inundation of the Nile, the yearly crop, the pharaoh conquering enemies, the impotence of chaotic forces, all that is in harmony with order (justice for instance), the daily sun rise. The pharaoh and the daily temple rituals were responsible for garanteeing this order.
Moved from: Maât (idea), rep: 11