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In this volume the myths and legends of ancient Egypt are embraced in a historical narrative which begins with the rise of the great Nilotic civilization and ends with the Graeco-Roman Age. The principal deities are dealt with chiefly at the various periods in which they came into prominence, while the legends are so arranged as to throw light on the beliefs and manners and customs of the ancient people. Metrical renderings are given of such of the representative folk songs and poems as can be appreciated at the present day. Egyptian mythology is of highly complex character, and cannot be considered apart from its racial and historical aspects. The Egyptians were, as a Hebrew prophet has declared, a "mingled people", and this view has been confirmed by recent ethnological research: "the process; of racial fusion begun in the Delta at the dawn of history", says Professor Elliot Smith, "spread through the whole land of Egypt". In localities the early Nilotic inhabitants accepted the religious beliefs of settlers, and fused these with their own. They also clung tenaciously to the crude and primitive tribal beliefs of their remote ancestors, and never abandoned an archaic conception even when they acquired new and more enlightened ideas; they accepted myths literally, and regarded with great sanctity ancient ceremonies and usages. They even showed a tendency to multiply rather than to reduce the number of their gods and goddesses, by symbolizing their attributes. As a result, we find it necessary to deal with a bewildering number of deities and a confused mass of beliefs, many of which are obscure and contradictory. But the average Egyptian was never dismayed by inconsistencies in religious matters: he seemed rather to be fascinated by them. There was, strictly speaking, no orthodox creed in Egypt; each provincial centre had its own distinctive theological system, and the religion of an individual appears to have depended mainly on his habits of life. "The Egyptian", as Professor Wiedemann has said, "never attempted to systematize his conceptions of the different divinities into a homogeneous religion. It is open to us to speak of the religious ideas of the Egyptians, but not of an Egyptian religion."Ê
Superb, in-depth survey explores animism, totemism, fetishism, creation myths, Egyptian priesthood, numerous deities, alchemy, Egyptian art and magic, other fascinating topics. Includes over 50 photographs and illustrations.
This accessible, authoritative guide to Egyptian mythology explores how the ancient Nile-dwellers explained the world around them. It delves into the origins of life, the creation and evolution of the world, and the reigns of the gods on earth, before introducing us to Egypt's deities in the natural environment; the inventive ways in which the Egyptians dealt with the invisible forces all around them; and the trials and tribulations of the life hereafter. This is the perfect introduction for modern readers to the mysteries of Egyptian mythology, including such well known figures as Isis and Osiris, Horus and Seth, but also less familiar figures as Geb, Nemty and Shu. Much more than a straightforward retelling of the ancient legends, 'The Egyptian Myths' will introduce the reader to a new (yet ancient) way of understanding the world.
Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt The dead man was practically at the mercy of the living for subsistence in the otherworld. Unless his kinsmen continued their offerings to him he was indeed in bad case, for his ka would starve. This ka was his double, and came into the world at the same time as himself. It must be sharply distinguished from the ba, or soul, which usually took the form of a bird after the death of its owner, and, indeed, was capable of assuming such shape as it chose if the funeral ceremonies were carried out correctly. Some Egyptologists consider the ka to be the special active force which imbues the human being with life, and it may be equivalent to the Hebrew expression 'spirit' as apart from 'soul.' In the book of Genesis we are informed that God breathed the breath of life into man and he lived. In like manner did He lay His arms behind the primeval gods, and forthwith His ka went up over them, and they lived. When the man died his ka quitted the body, but did not cease to take an interest in it, and on occasion even reanimated it. It was on behalf of the ka that Egyptian tombs were so well furnished with food and drink, and the necessities, not to say the luxuries, of existence.
Do you know that Egyptians had over 2000 gods and goddesses? To understand how the ancient Egyptians saw the world around them, we begin our journey by exploring their beliefs of how the world and man came to be. Discover: How the gods and the rhythm of life were created. The myth of Osiris, Seth, and Isis where brother betrays brother, and the love of a wife sees her husband resurrected to take up the crown of the Underworld. Horus' revenge as a son fights to reclaim his birthright. The Adventure on the Sun Boat. The Goddess of Cats and enjoy her story as the avenger and protector of the innocent. The Girl with the Red-Rose Slippers a rags-to-riches story of a slave girl who became queen. The Shipwrecked Sailor the adventure of a marooned sailor on an enchanted island inhabited by giant golden snakes! The Treasure Thief the story of a cunning thief who wins the hand of a princess. Se-Osiris and the Sealed Letter an epic battle of magic unfolds between an Egyptian boy and an Ethiopian giant in a David and Goliath tale. Get this book and discover the fascinating world of Greek Mythology today!
Legends of the Egyptian Gods, written in 1912, is a book meant to help Egyptology students examine Egyptian literature and its history. However, since the backgrounds and names of Egyptian authors were not recorded, Budge instead presents the texts in the most complete forms possible, with the original hieroglyphs and their translations. Legends of the Egyptian Gods includes a preface and an introduction by Budge, as well as summaries of each myth at the beginning of the book. The summaries, presented in one large block, are followed by the text and translations of nine Egyptian myths and legends. The book contains illustrations and plates complementing the stories. This book is a wonderful addition to the collection of any student of Egyptology. SIR ERNEST ALFRED THOMPSON WALLIS BUDGE (1857-1934) was born in Bodmin, Cornwall in the UK and discovered an interest in languages at a very early age. Budge spent all his free time learning and discovering Semitic languages, including Assyrian, Syriac, and Hebrew. Eventually, through a close contact, he was able to acquire a job working with Egyptian and Iraqi artifacts at the British Museum. Budge excavated and deciphered numerous cuneiform and hieroglyphic documents, contributing vastly to the museum's collection. Eventually, he became the Keeper of his department, specializing in Egyptology. Budge wrote many books during his lifetime, most specializing in Egyptian life, religion, and language.
Drama, death, glory and love flowed through the blood of the Egyptians under the watchful eyes of their Gods & Goddesses... Ancient Egypt was one of the greatest & most powerful civilizations in the world ever And of all ancient civilizations, Egyptians rule supreme when it comes to mystery and fantasy...From the lavish colors of their papyruses to how they mastered building technology thousands of years before anyone else, and to the legends surrounding the lives and deaths of their kings. Egyptians are an eternal source of awe. Not only did they know how to build great structures, they also knew how to have fun. They loved beer and board games, they used makeup, and they allowed women more freedom than many other women in the ancient world. You see, Game of Thrones has nothing on the intricacies, wars, and battles Egyptian dynasties fought for thousands of years. Ancient Egypt has it all: drama, love stories, myths, massive buildings, death, destruction and pain. Let’s listen to them and explore their timeless stories! All of this and much more including: The Timeline Of Ancient Egypt: The Rise & The Fall Discover The Gods & Goddesses of Ancient Egypt + Their Classic Stories The Mystery & Miracle of How The Pyramids Were Built (was it aliens? or astronomy?) Cleopatra's Legacy: The Most Famous Pharaoh & Femme Fatale The Afterlife, Burials, Tombs & How An Ancient Egyptian Mummy Was Made Isis & Osiris: The Greatest Love Story of All Time The Mummy Curse - What Killed People Who Opened King Tut’s Tomb? Decoding The Secrets Of Egyptian Hieroglyphs Interesting Facts About Egyptian Culture: Art, Music, & Literature Ra, The Sun God of Ancient Egypt: Facts, Symbol & Powers - And much, much more... This book will fuel your appetite for all the amazing (and perhaps frightening) things Ancient Egyptians were and did. Begin your journey of discovering not only Ancient Egypt but also it’s legends, mythology and much more with this book.
