Significance of Abydos

Abydos, a significant location in ancient Egypt, was a prominent center for the cult of Osiris and believed to be his mythical rebirth place. Officials erected tablets there, and Flinders Petrie discovered evidence suggesting the existence of divine dynasties for around ten thousand years. Abydos was considered an entrance to the mythical Amenta. Situated about sixty-five miles from Denderah, it held a temple facing the river and was home to the first two dynasties of kings.

Synonyms: Necropolis, Holy city, Pilgrimage site

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Classical concept of 'Abydos'

Various literature Books

Meaning of Abydos in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

From: Egypt Through The Stereoscope

(1) The Temple of Sethos I is located at Abydos, a significant site featured in one of the Egypt Tour plans.[1] (2) One of the cities of the lower river, located to the left when standing on the northern tower of the first pylon, with the Nile behind and Luxor on the right.[2] (3) A location that is situated to the right when standing before the Denderah temple and looking southward, it is also noted that the mentioned temple is 1,300 years later than the temple in this location.[3] (4) "Abydos" is the location from which the text transitions to Denderah, which is about sixty-five miles east of Abydos, and on the same side of the river.[4] (5) Abydos is the place where officials of the court and government would stop to erect tablets for themselves or deceased family members.[5]

From: The Book of the Dead

(1) Abydos is associated with the lords and granaries, where Osiris is an overseer, according to the provided text.[6] (2) Abydos is mentioned as the location of Osiris, specifically described as the great god within Abydos, highlighting its religious importance.[7] (3) Abydos and Thebes were the most ancient and sacred cities of Egypt, which further prove Ani's rank and importance.[8] (4) Abydos, referred to as Abtu, was the capital of the eighth nome of Upper Egypt and a significant location for the worship of Osiris, which led to it being called Per-Ausar or Busiris.[9] (5) Abydos is mentioned in Chapter CXXXVIII, which concerns making the deceased to enter into Abydos, and has a vignette of the deceased adoring the standard.[10]

From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World

(1) This is the mythical rebirth-place of Osiris, where Horus took possession of his father's house, symbolizing a spiritual inheritance.[11] (2) Abydos is where an entrance to the mythical Amenta was localized, as the cleft or the mouth of the rock, and opposite this entrance stood the temple of Osiris Khent-Amenta.[12] (3) Abydos is a location where Prof. Flinders Petrie found evidence suggesting that the divine dynasties of Egypt, including the Osirian group, existed for approximately ten thousand years.[13]

From: Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt

(1) Abydos became the Holy Sepulchre of Egypt, with an ancient tomb of the Thinite kings regarded as the tomb of Osiris, attracting pilgrims from all classes.[14] (2) There was at this location, an old mortuary god known as 'First of the Westerners,' who was early absorbed by Osiris.[15] (3) Like the sand grave or the brick tomb, is the common representation of the king crossing the celestial waters on the two reed floats, used by the peasants of Nubia to this day.[16]

From: The Egyptian Heaven and Hell

(1) It is a location from which a deity has travelled due north. The deity has occupied six hours in performing the journey from this location.[17] (2) Abydos is the location where OSIRIS-KHENTI-AMENTI is the great god, whose dominions include URNES, and it formed a section of the SEKHET-HETEPET.[18] (3) Abydos is mentioned as the location of Khenti-Amenti, an old local deity, and the cult of Osiris later absorbed the position and attributes of Khenti-Amenti, influencing beliefs about the afterlife.[19]

From: Legends Of The Gods

(1) Abydos is one of the places said to contain the body of Osiris, leading richer citizens to desire burial there.[20] (2) Abydos is mentioned as a place near where the body of Osiris was hurled to the ground by Set, and Osiris' rule over Busiris and Abydos continued to be supreme.[21]

From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

(1) The text of this Ritual is found cut in hieroglyphs on the walls of the temple of Seti I at this city, and written in hieratic upon papyri preserved in the Imperial Museum in Berlin.[22] (2) Is a location where Tablets were set up by Seti I and Rameses II, containing lists of rulers.[23]

From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1

(1) Abydos is the location of one great center of Osiris' cult in the archaic period, indicating its significance in the worship and veneration of the god Osiris.[24]

From: Egyptian Magic

(1) Abydos is a location where the name of Osiris flourisheth, according to the prayer.[25]

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.

Meaning of Abydos in Ancient Greek mythology, history and philosophy:
Greek Books

From: The History of Herodotus

(1) A place where the Hellenes arrived and found that the bridges had been broken up. From there, the Athenians crossed over to the Chersonese.[26] (2) A destination to which the king and his army were transported from the Chersonese, signifying a strategic relocation following the naval retreat.[27] (3) Abydos is the location where the Persians crossed over the Hellespont in haste by means of the ships, for they did not find the floating-bridges still stretched across but broken up by a storm.[28] (4) Abydos is mentioned as the location where the king was about to cross over from Asia to Europe, coinciding with the expedition to Thessaly.[29] (5) Abydos is the location where Xerxes observed vessels carrying corn to his foes, demonstrating his unique perspective on provisions.[30]

From: The Liturgy of Funerary Offerings

(1) A location where examples of specific instruments were discovered alongside other tools from the Neolithic Period.[31] (2) Of the XIXth Dynasty there are the Lists in the tomb of Seti I. at Thebes and in his temple at "Abydos".[32]

From: The Iliad of Homer (English translation)

(1) Apollo went up to Hector and spurred him on to fight, in the likeness of Phaenops son of Asius who lived in Abydos and was the most favoured of all Hector’s guests.[33]

Ancient Greece in the Archaic Period was made up from independent states, called Polis, or city state. Classical Greek culture, especially philosophy, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices.