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Maat

A reference page linking a name, group, or concept to the materials that discuss it.

Ancient Egyptian right order, truth and rectitude, also divinely personified; represented in heart-weighing by a feather or a goddess’s figure.

Funerary papyrus fragment depicting judgment before Osiris, Egypt, ca. 230–150 BCE; Metropolitan Museum 66.99.142. The scale contains a small figure of Maat
Funerary papyrus fragment depicting judgment before Osiris, Egypt, ca. 230–150 BCE; Metropolitan Museum 66.99.142. The scale contains a small figure of MaatThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, 66.99.142 / Open Access, CC0 · CC0License · Object record

Text

The term combines cosmic and ethical dimensions, exceeding goodness alone. This papyrus shows a small figure of Maat on the scale; images vary.[1]

References and notes

  1. Ptolemaic funerary papyrus depicting judgment before Osiris; elements read from this particular object, not assumed universal. Met 66.99.142; ca. 230–150 BCE Return to the text ↑

Research history

Substantive changes are retained here. Minor copy edits remain in the internal operational log.

  1. Edition 2 · 12 October 2026 · editor:aladmin

    Substantive record update

    Read this revision in its original language (Arabic)

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IL Archive, «Maat», Edition 2, https://ilarchive.com/en/entities/maat