All those mortals are called Gods, who, the course of life being prudently guided and governed, are honoured by men with temples and sacrifices, as Osiris in Aegypt, &c. 1125.

Originally they looked upon Osiris as a man who lived on the earth as they lived, who ate and drank, who suffered a cruel death, who by the help of certain gods triumphed over death, and attained unto everlasting life.

We have an interesting proof of the identification of Osiris with R[=a] in Chapter XVII.

The ideas held concerning Osiris at this period will best be judged by the following extracts from contemporary hymns: "Glory [Footnote: See Chapters of Coming Forth by Day (translation), p. 11.] be to thee, O Osiris, Un-nefer, the great god within Abtu (Abydos), king of eternity, lord of everlastingness, who passest through millions of years in thy existence.

Procession of the Sacred Bull Apis-Osiris After the painting by E.F. Bridgman.

The Osirian Mysteries consisted in a scenic representation of the murder of Osiris by Typhon, the subsequent recovery of his mutilated body by Isis, and his deification, or restoration to immortal life.

Seth, his brother, was jealous, and by treachery enticed Osiris into a box, which he closed and threw into the water.

It accepted the gods of all the nations that composed the empire, and placed them in the Pantheon,even Mithra, the Persian sun-god, and the Isis and Osiris of the Egyptians, to whom sacrifices were made by those who worshipped them at home.

"What is the most beautiful thing on earth?" said Osiris to Horus.