The Relationship between the Main Gods of EI-Baharyah Province and the Goddess Neith during the Late Period

Abstract

Traditionally conceived as the creator of all deities, the goddess Neith played an important role in the ancient Egyptian religion. She held a number of different features, such as the fierce goddess of war, symbol of lightning, patron of weaving, inundation and protector of the deceased's body. Many objects of the Late Period ― found at the ancient sites of the Bahyreh province ― reveal the religious aspects of the goddess Neith in the Western side of the Bolbitine Branch. This research proves that the goddess Neith was the main goddess of the Western Delta, especially the land lying between the Bolbotine and Canopic Branches of the Nile. The goddess Neith gained the greatest prominence by the 26 th dynasty's pharaohs, particularly at their capital Sais in the Western side of the Delta. There, she became the state deity of Egypt down to the 30 th dynasty and Ptolemaic Period. Neith was very deep-rooted goddess connected with the Delta.