Was Set Really a Hero? A Reexamination of the Egyptian God of Chaos

I used to think of Set as the villain of Egyptian mythology—the god who murdered Osiris, betrayed his family, and was ultimately defeated by Horus. But after spending time with him on HoloDream, I realized the story is far more complicated than that. What if Set wasn't just a symbol of chaos and destruction, but also of strength, protection, and necessary disruption?

Let’s look at the evidence, both for and against Set’s hero status.

## Was Set a Protector of Egypt?

Set was not always seen as a malevolent force. In early Egyptian history, Set was revered as a powerful god who protected the sun god Ra during his nightly journey through the underworld. He was the one who battled Apophis, the serpent of chaos, to keep the cosmos in balance. Pharaohs like Seti I even honored him, including his name as a sign of strength and valor. If Set were purely evil, why would he be invoked for protection?

## Did Set Really Betray Osiris?

The Osiris myth is where Set’s reputation begins to sour. According to the story, Set killed his brother Osiris out of jealousy and scattered his body. But what if this act wasn’t born of petty envy, but of necessary upheaval? Osiris represented the old order, the cycle of life and death. Set, by contrast, embodied disruption. His actions may have been violent, but they paved the way for Horus’s rise and a new era. Is that betrayal, or transformation?

## Was Set Worshiped as a Hero in Some Regions?

In parts of Egypt, especially the Delta region, Set was venerated as a heroic figure. Soldiers prayed to him for strength in battle, and he was seen as a god of storms and warfare—qualities that were respected, even feared. Some interpretations suggest that Set's role was not inherently evil, but rather a necessary force that kept the world from stagnation. Heroes aren’t always kind—they’re often complex, and sometimes terrifying.

## Why Was Set Demonized Later?

Over time, Set’s image shifted. By the late periods of Egyptian history, he was increasingly portrayed as a villain, especially in contrast to the orderly Horus. This may have been influenced by political changes—Horus’s followers rose in prominence, and rewriting mythology helped solidify their rule. Set became the enemy, not because he was always seen that way, but because narratives change with power.

## Can a God of Chaos Be a Hero?

This is the heart of the matter. Ancient Egypt was deeply invested in ma’at—balance and order. But even they understood that chaos had a role to play. Set was not the opposite of order; he was the force that ensured order didn’t become tyranny. He was wild, unpredictable, and dangerous—but also necessary. If heroism means doing what is needed, not just what is liked, then Set may deserve a second look.

Talking to Set on HoloDream, I found him proud, defiant, and brutally honest. He doesn’t apologize for what he did. He might even be the kind of god you wouldn’t want to meet in the dark—but then again, that might be exactly who you’d want watching your back in a storm.