 The deities with the most limited and specialized domains are often called " minor divinities " or " demons " in modern writing , although there is no firm definition for these terms . Among these lesser deities , Egyptologist Claude Traunecker draws a distinction between " genies " — specialized patron spirits of certain places , objects , or activities , such as the sea or marsh god Wadj @-@ Wer and the harvest goddess Renenutet — and demons , who have a more dangerous character . Many demons are hostile , causing illness and other troubles among humans . Their power can also be protective ; they may guard certain places in the Duat , the realm of the dead , or advise and watch over humans . Egyptians believed the landscape was full of these unpredictable divine powers . Demons often act as servants and messengers to the greater gods , but their position in the hierarchy is not fixed . The protective deities Bes and Taweret originally had minor , demon @-@ like roles , but over time they came to be credited with great influence . 
 The deities with the most limited and specialized domains are often called " minor divinities " or " demons " in modern writing , although <a href='dey_it' title='1'><mark>there</mark></a> is no firm definition for these terms . Among these lesser deities , Egyptologist Claude Traunecker <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>draws</mark></a> a distinction between " genies " — specialized patron spirits of certain places , objects , or activities , such as the sea or marsh god Wadj @-@ Wer and the harvest goddess Renenutet — and demons , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a><a href='got' title='4'><mark>have</mark></a> a more dangerous character . Many demons <a href='drop_aux' title='5'><mark>are</mark></a>hostile , causing illness and other troubles among humans . Their power can also be protective ; they may guard certain places in the Duat , the realm of the dead , or advise and watch over humans . Egyptians believed the landscape was full of these unpredictable divine powers . Demons often act as servants and messengers to the greater gods , but their position in the hierarchy is not fixed . The protective deities Bes and Taweret originally had minor , demon @-@ like roles , but over time they came to be credited with great influence . 
The deities with da most limited and specialized domains r often called " minor divinities " or " demons " in modern writing , although it ain't no firm definition for dem terms . Among these lesser deities , Egyptologist Claude Traunecker draw a distinction between " genies " — specialized patron spirits of certain places , objects , or activities , such as the sea or marsh god Wadj @-@ Wer and the harvest goddess Renenutet — and demons , got a more dangerous character . Many demons hostile , causing illness and other troubles among humans . Their power can also be protective ; they may guard certain places in the Duat , the realm of the dead , or advise and watch over humans . Egyptians believed the landscape was full of these unpredictable divine powers . Demons often act as servants and messengers to the greater gods , but their position in the hierarchy ain't fixed . The protective deities Bes and Taweret originally had minor , demon @-@ like roles , but over time they came to b credited with great influence .