The ancient Egyptians believed that ma'at was essential to the proper functioning of the universe, and that it was the duty of the pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to uphold and maintain it.
To do this, the pharaoh had to perform a variety of rituals and ceremonies, such as the opening of the mouth ceremony, which was performed after the pharaoh's death to allow him or her to speak in the afterlife.
In addition, the pharaoh was also responsible for maintaining peace and order in Egypt, and for ensuring that the gods were properly worshipped.
Here are some specific examples of how the ancient Egyptians expressed their concern for ma'at:
- The Pyramid Texts, the oldest known religious texts in the world, are filled with prayers and incantations designed to ensure the pharaoh's successful journey to the afterlife and his or her continued existence there.
- The Book of the Dead, another important religious text from ancient Egypt, contains a collection of spells and prayers that were used to help the deceased overcome the dangers of the afterlife and reach the Field of Reeds, a paradise where the souls of the righteous lived in eternal happiness.
- The walls of Egyptian tombs are often decorated with scenes depicting the pharaoh performing religious rituals and ceremonies. These scenes were meant to ensure that the pharaoh would be able to continue to perform these rituals in the afterlife, and thus maintain ma'at in the world of the living.
The concern for ma'at permeated all aspects of ancient Egyptian culture and society, and it was a fundamental belief that was essential to the survival and success of the civilization.