The Destruction of Mankind | Reader’s Theater Script | Egyptian Mythology

The Destruction of Mankind Reader’s Theater Script of Egyptian Mythology explores one of ancient Egypt’s most famous and fearsome tales. It follows Ra, the once-gentle sun-god, whose anger at humankind’s mockery unleashes Hathor (Sekhmet)—a lioness goddess of destruction. The narrative captures how Egyptian mythology explained the delicate balance of divine power, human pride, and cosmic order. See below for a more detailed script summary.

The resources consists of an editable DOCX file (16 pages) which contains:

1) Teacher Tips & Answer Key

• CCSS Alignment
• Teacher Tips for use as both RT and Play/Skit
• Answer Keys for Worksheet
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~13 Characters, 2000 words

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Comprehension Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script
• Character Traits Chart - Students write 1 or 2 adjectives that describe the main characters in the script and support their answers with quotes from the script.

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~20 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.

Script Summary:

Ra, aging yet still powerful, hears mortals mocking him for his silvered hair and supposed weakness. Outraged, he summons a divine council, including Nun, Shu, and Tefnut, then calls forth Hathor—the “Eye of Ra”—to punish humanity. Hathor transforms into her fierce aspect Sekhmet, unleashing terror upon the land. As mortals fall, Ra regrets the scale of destruction. Seeking a solution, he confides in the wise Thoth, who devises a plan to flood a field with red-dyed barley beer resembling blood. Sekhmet is lured in and drinks, becoming intoxicated. Her rage subsides, and she reverts to the kinder Hathor. Mortals survive and learn humility, marking the event each year with a festival of red beer. This story warns of the gods’ might, reminding students that mercy and destruction can spring from the same source.