20. How did the Egyptians concieve of the universe and the civil state(role of pharoah, etc)?

Back to History 8 Egypt Questions "Egyptians believed that the universe was above everything else an ordered and rational place" (Manual 120). They believed in a balanced universe, the egyptian word "Ma'at". Ma'at was the Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, morality and balance.The pharaoh represents Ma'at on earth, therefore he must keep universal order. If the Pharaoh didn't uphold the order, the universe would suffer. The symbol of the Ma'at was an ostrich feather. The ancient Egyptians believed that on the day of judgement, the feather of Ma'at was weighed against the heart of the deceased.

Sources: Manual p. 120 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/353517/Maat