Ma'at was the uniting, arguably overgod principle of the Mulhorandi and Pharaonic pantheons.[1][2][3] The exact meaning was not easily understood, but it combined features of many concepts of ethics into one overarching code of conduct.[4] However, Ma'at was far more than a simple behavioral standard, but revered as the natural, divine, and fundamental state of all reality.[2][3][4]
All things were expected to conform to Ma'at,[4] for it put the gods, pharaohs, and commoners in their rightful place[3] and allowed for peace between mortals and gods. To follow it was the one path to a happy life and to refuse could only be expected to result in misery and turmoil.[4] Allegedly, without Ma'at, the very existence of the gods would be without foundation and the universe would crumble.[2]
For lack of better terms, Ma'at could be treated as the natural desire of all persons to live a lawful good life.[4] Its composite concepts might best be described as truth, integrity, honor, duty, order, constancy, justice, and righteousness.[3][2][4][5] Following Ma'at meant fulfilling one's moral obligations to others, and applied to those of high station as much as those of low. Just as the common citizens were expected to put in an honest day's work and follow the law, so too was the ruler expected to provide compensation and administrate with fairness.[4]
Notable Adherents[]
Most deities of the Pharaonic pantheon praised and upheld Ma'at as the underpinning order of their divine being[2] and the Mulhorandi dynasty were heirs to its maintenance.[3]
Horus-Re was a strong believer in Ma'at. According to his doctrine, harmony came from living within it rather than fighting it. The laws existed to bring prosperity to its followers and the pharaoh and his representatives set laws as guidelines for honorable and traditional behavior. Should the guidelines not be applied with honor, however, Osiris's fair judgement was left to determine the law.[5][6]
Outside the Mulhorandi pantheon, Anubis weighed the souls of deceased mortals against the feather of Ma'at, revealing them to be just and honorable and worthy of reward should his scale balance, or else be fed to a devourer of souls if it tipped the scale.[2]
Mortal judges who followed Ma'at invoked its presence so as to decide cases with impartial justice. Similarly, rulers strove to govern according to the principles of Ma'at so justice and order would mark their rule, often seeking advice from clerics to do so.[2]
Notable Detractors[]
While all deities in the Pharaonic pantheon at the very least showed respect or keen interest in Ma'at,[1] Apep, Sebek, and Set did not hold it in high regard.[2] Apep was a being of primordial chaos banished by the pantheon and Set, despite being willing to side with his pantheon against Apep, was opposed to Ma'at by his nature.[2][7][8]
Disrupting Ma'at[]
The Pharaonic pantheon was concerned more about the fight of law against chaos (though they did espouse free choice and individuality) than of good against evil. They counted their true foes not the simply malicious, but those who would destroy and send humanity back to their primitive origins.[7] By Horus-Re's interpretation, that which led to evil was by its nature unlawful, and that which caused chaos unnatural. Treachery and traitors were similarly not to be abided, for such dishonorable behavior was against the divine order. Disrespecting the dead, such as by despoiling their resting places, was a violation of Ma'at particularly hated by Osiris.[5][4][6]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Card Games
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 5–6. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 136–138. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 297. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 James M. Ward and Troy Denning (August 1990). Legends & Lore (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc), pp. 89–90. ISBN 978-0880388443.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 144–146. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 109–112, 120–122. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 84, 91. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 126–127. ISBN 978-0786906574.