The first complete historical overview of the beliefs of ancient Egypt—a world of oracles and seers, temples, and death rituals
Every aspect of ancient Egyptian society-from education and law to medicine, birth, and death-was permeated by religion and magic, and dominated by divine life forces of the sun and the Nile. In this fascinating work, Rosalie David reveals the complex and intriguing world of gods and goddesses, tracing the history of Egyptian faith practices from the civilization's beginning through its growth into an empire and its later years as a Roman province. Concluding with a glossary and including new translations of Egyptian spells, this is an essential work for students, scholars, or anyone fascinated by the ancient world.
Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt
List of Figures and Maps
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
A Chronological Table of Egyptian History
Chapter 1: The Creation of Egyptian Civilization
Chapter 2: The Emergence of Religion
Predyanstic and Early Dynastic Periods, c.5000-2686 BCE
Chapter 3: The Rise of The Sun-Cult
The Old Kingdom, c.2686-2181 BCE
Chapter 4: Osiris, the People's God
the First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom, c.2181-1786 BCE
Chapter 5: Religion and Empire
Transition from the Second Intermediate Period to the Early New Kingdom, 1786-c.1400 BCE
Chapter 6: The Amarna Heresy
the New Kingdom, c.1400-1320 BCE
Chapter 7: The Return of Orthodoxy
Later New Kingdom, c.1320-1085 BCE
Chapter 8: Kings and Priests: The Final Conflict
The Third Intermediate and Late Periods, 1085-332 BCE
Chapter 9: East Meets West: Conflict and Co-operation in Graeco-Roman Egypt
332 BCE-4th Century ACE
Appendix A: Selected Passages from Egyptian Texts
Appendix B: A Selective List of Major Religious Sites in Egypt and Nubia
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
