Ancient Egyptian Deities in popular culture

Literature

  • The cult of Set appears in Akhet, the first in a trilogy of novels by H.L. Reasby. Called the "Sekhmet's Light Trilogy", the series tells of Dr. Nicole Salem and how she becomes the avatar of Sekhmet, gifted with superhuman abilities so that she can combat the forces of Apep in the mortal world.
  • American Gods: Set is mentioned to have retired in San Francisco in 1906, the time of the San Francisco Earthquake, hinting he was responsible for it.
  • Conan mythos: Set is worshiped as a snake god by the people of Stygia in the Hyborean Age. In the animated series Conan the Adventurer, Set is portrayed as an evil snake god who is the source of the wizard Wrath-Amon's powers. The Conan version of Set also inspired the Set of the Marvel Universe. However the Hydra-headed snake deity depiction of this god owes little to the Egyptian Set.
  • Soldier of Sidon novel by Gene Wolfe: Set plays a major role in the journey of a Roman soldier in ancient Egypt.
  • In The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan Set is the first and main antagonist of the first book.
  • In "Creatures of Light and Darkness" by Roger Zelazny, Set is captured by Anubis who erases his memory and sends him to kill Thoth.

Animation

  • Hellsing: In the series finale of the 2001 anime series, a demon named Set was summoned from the underworld by Incognito, calls upon the power of the Serpent God Seth in his attempt to defeat Alucard and conquer Britain. Set appears as a giant glowing snake made of energy, ravaging London in all of a few minutes.
  • Tutenstein: Set is the main antagonist in this show.
  • Yu-Gi-Oh!: In this anime/manga, Seto Kaiba is regarded as The Reincarnation of the ancient Egyptian priest Seth, who is representative of the deity Set.
  • Samurai Jack: In the episode "jack in Egypt" Aku releases the minions of Set and orders them to kill Samurai Jack. They all appear to be stylized versions of the seth animal
  • Papyrus: In this show inspired by a comic book, Set is the main antagonist of the show, who is served by Aker, his minion and priest.
  • In Conan the Adventurer, Set is the Serpent god Wrath-amon serves.

Film and television

  • Doctor Who serial Pyramids of Mars: Sutekh "the destroyer" appears as a nearly omnipotent alien (last member of a race called Osirians). After thousands of years of imprisonment beneath an Egyptian pyramid at the hands of his brother (sic), Horus, he is inadvertently released by an archaeologist to resume his destruction of all life.
  • Puppet Master series of horror films: Sutekh is The Primary villain, revealed in Puppet Master 4, to be the elder god who created the magic that gives the Puppet Master's puppets life.
  • Stargate SG-1: Seth is a Goa'uld in the science-fiction series.
  • seaQuest DSV: Set is used as a villain in a later episode of the science fiction series (Season 2: Something in the Air).
  • The Curse of King Tut's Tomb: Set is portrayed as the supernatural antagonist in the mini-series.
  • Tutenstein: Set is the villain of the series, repeatedly trying to steal Tut's scepter of Was to rule the Underworld and Overworld.

Gaming

  • Street Fighter IV: Known as "The Puppet Master" and boss character in the Street FIghter IV storyline. He is the Chief Executive Officer of S.I.N., a weapons manufacturer. His body has been modified using advanced technology. His Special Moves are techniques used by other characters.
  • Age of Mythology: Set is one of the three Major gods for the Egyptians.
  • Digital Devil Saga 2: Seth is the optional boss after Shiva and Vishnu and before Satan.
  • Nightshade: Sutekh is the villain who takes control over every gang in METRO CITY, combining them into one.
  • Persona 2: Set is a persona of the Tower Arcana.
  • Persona 3 and Persona 4: Seth is a persona of the Moon Arcana.
  • Phantasy Star IV: Seth was the name used by Dark Force when he assumed human form. He joins the party when they arrive on the island east of Krup on Motavia, claiming to be an archaeologist. When the party reaches the temple, he turns back into demonic form and attacks the party.
  • PowerSlave: Set is a boss character depicted as a horrible demonic being.
  • Secret of Evermore:Son of Set is an enemy
  • Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy: Lord Set is the enemy and the main villain. His physical apparence as a dark, elegant, tall, somewhat a sort of evil wizard; his Eyes and Teeth resemblance to a snake. Patient, ruthless, sinister, sophisticated and very intelligent, he could mimic forms of others. Later it will reveal his real god form: a powerful humanoid giant snake.
  • Tomb Raider 4: Seth possessed Werner Von Croy and he was also the final boss.
  • Vampire: the Masquerade: One of the 13 clans is known as the Followers of Set and claim to be descended from the god Set.
  • Pharaoh (video game): One of the five gods.
  • Age of Empires: Mythologies: Set is one of three major gods that can be worshiped by Egyptian players.
  • "Endless Ocean Blue World": Set, Isis, Osiris, and Nephthys are featured in the Cavern of the Gods.

Music

  • Iced Earth: Set is referenced by this American heavy metal band on some of their concept albums. He is often referred to as Set Abominae in their Egyptian mythology-based concept albums and comic book.
  • Behemoth: Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth has a song entitled "Sculpting The Throne Ov Seth"
  • Septic Flesh: Greek metal band Septic Flesh have a song on their second album entitled "The Eyes of Set". Additionally, vocalist/bassist Spiros Antoniou is often referred to as "Seth".
  • 1349: Norwegian black metal band 1349 has an album entitled Demonoir which features an ambient song entitled "The Tunnel of Set" which is broken down into 7 small tracks. Additionally, other songs on the album such "The Devil of the Deserts" contain vague references to Set.

Aleister Crowley's book on the Tarot is entitled The Book of Thoth: A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, Being The Equinox Volume III No. V" (see The Book of Thoth (Crowley)).

Thoth is also heavily mentioned in the Matthew Reilly novels Seven Ancient Wonders and The Six Sacred Stones. An entire language was created based on Thoth's religious omnipotence. There are also many allusions to his importance in Egyptian history throughout the books.

Thoth and the cosmology presented in the Book of Thoth are major elements of the plots in the King's Man trilogy by the Canadian novelist Pauline Gedge.

The computer game NetHack, which features deities whose favor the player must win in order to succeed features Thoth as the god of neutral (balanced alignment) Wizards, in keeping with his role as God of Balance and Wisdom.

Philosopher Jacques Derrida uses Socrates' "Myth of Theuth" to argue for deconstruction and the instability of Truth since writing is pharmakon, both poison and cure—that which puts play into play.

The Coptic liturgical New Year begins with the month of Thout which is a carry over from the Ancient Egyptian month dedicated to Thoth. The first day of Thoth corresponds, currently, to the eleventh of September in the Gregorian calendar or the twelfth if a leap year Coptic calendar.

In Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods, Thoth lives as a human called Mr. Ibis on the mortal plane in the "Little Egypt" area of Southern Illinois. In accordance with his role as judge of the dead, he works as an undertaker alongside Anubis' human embodiment, Mr. Jacquel (Jackal).

The current logo of Cairo University, which is the oldest university in Egypt, embodies the image of Thoth sitting on his throne.

The Temple of Thoth is the name of a pagan cult in The Magician's Nephew, an episode of Midsomer Murders. Apart from the name, no references to the Egyptian god are made in the episode.

Thoth is one of the main characters in Roger Zelazny's novel Creatures of Light and Darkness. Thoth is also a character in the Kane Chronicles who helps and hinders the children

In the game Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, the game's titular mecha Jehuty is based on Thoth himself.

The lunar deity Khonsu (Khonshu) resurrected the Marvel Comics character, Moon Knight.

See Also

Kheb

In ancient Egyptian mythology Seth poisoned Horus and Isis hid him in the swamp and "hidden places"...