The Contendings of Horus and Set
The epic struggle between Horus, the son of Osiris, and Set, the murderer of Osiris, for the throne of Egypt is one of the most dramatic myths from ancient Egypt. After Osiris descended to the underworld, his son Horus came of age and demanded the kingship that was rightfully his. Set, Osiris's brother, refused to yield. The case was brought before the Ennead, the council of gods, presided over by Geb or Ra. The trial lasted eighty years. The conflict was both legal and violent: the gods debated endlessly while Horus and Set engaged in terrible battles. Set tore out Horus's eye; snip Horus cas