Ma'at literally means “base,” as in the base of a throne, and it was understood by the Egyptians as the foundation of the entire world order. It governed every aspect of life but was continually being disturbed, and the combined efforts of humans and gods alike were required to preserve it. If these efforts failed, the dreaded alternative was isfet, or “lack”—a lack of order that manifested in disease, scarcity, violence, injustice, and death.
Egypt. Maat
