Horus and Set schism

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Horus and Set schism
Part of the early Egyptian transition period

Date:

c. 2700 BCE

Location:

Somewhere in Egypt

Historical result:

Decisive Horus victory

Belligerents
HorusInsignia.png
Followers of Horus
SethInsignia.png
Followers of Set
Commanders
HorusInsignia.png
Pharaoh Khasekhem

HorusInsignia.png
Pharaoh Khasekhemwy
SethInsignia.png
Pharaoh Sekhemib-Perenmaat
Strength

Horus supporters of the Royal Egyptian army

  • Indeterminate number of troops

Set supporters of the Royal Egyptian army

  • Indeterminate number of troops
Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

 

The Horus and Set schism, also known as the Horus-Set civil war, was a civil conflict in Early Dynastic Egypt between the followers of Horus under Pharaoh Khasekhem and, later, Khasekhemwy, and the followers of Set under Pharaoh Sekhemib-Perenmaat. Following the defeat of Seth-Peribsen during Khasekhem's coup, Egypt was divided between Upper and Lower Egypt when another Egyptian, Sekhemib, declared himself pharaoh in defiance of Khasekhem. This led to tension between Khasekhem's followers, who believed Horus should be the royal patron, and Sekhemib's followers, who thought Seth-Peribsen was correct in replacing Horus with Set. This tension would eventually culminate in a civil war, with both sides competing to see who's god would prevail.

Towards the end of the war, it appears Khasekhem was succeeded by Khasekhemwy (although some theories suggest they are the same person, and Khasekhem simply changed his name), who would then bring an end to the war. Given that Set was not used as royal patron since Sekhemib, it appears the followers of Horus were victorious. Unfortunately, this religious war was the end for the Second Dynasty, as it would end with Khasekhemwy years later.

Background[edit | edit source]