Iset

Iset, also transliterated as Aset and commonly rendered Isis in Greek and Latin texts, is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with magic, motherhood, and guardianship. In most traditions she is the sister and wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. As a central figure of the Osiris myth, Iset protects and revives Osiris and helps raise Horus to contend with Set.

Her worship was widespread in ancient Egypt, with important cult centers at Abydos and in other regions. Iset was honored in funerary rites as a protector of the dead and as a benefactor of royal power, healing, and fertility. Her influence extended into the Greco-Roman period, reflecting broader religious syncretism and the enduring appeal of her roles as mother and protector.

Iconography typically portrays Iset as a woman wearing the throne-shaped crown that bears her name, a symbol of her identity and authority. She is sometimes shown with wings as a protective deity or nursing Horus, emphasizing her maternal aspect and role in royal legitimacy.

Impact and legacy: In the Greco-Roman era, her cult merged with other traditions under the name Isis, becoming one of the most enduring symbols of Egyptian religion. Iset's image as a powerful, nurturing goddess influenced later mystery cults, art, and literature, and she remains a central figure in discussions of ancient Egyptian theology and iconography.