How effective is the court of the Ennead in the Osiris story?
Most would consider this court to be ineffective and problematic, which may reflect some troubles in the Egyptians own court systems. Eighty years passed without Set following the courts decisions, implying that enforcement of the laws was troublesome and inconsistent. Much like the U.S. Supreme Court, the participants decisions often contradicted each other, and feelings were hurt on many occasions. Atum walked away on a few occasions in the Osiris story, and they often reconvened on the Island in the Middle without ever getting down to business. The Ennead allowed too many exceptions and alternatives to their judgments, such as Set convincing the court to allow just one more physical contest with Horus. In fact, both Set and Atum were denied a statement before the initial judgment announced by Thoth. Ironically, the Ennead tell Horus not to harpoon Set at the end of the story (although he does anyway, disobeying the court, but without any consequences for disobedience). Isis is also
