Title: Egypt : faith after the pharaohs /
Authors: Fluck, Cäcilia,; Helmecke, Gisela,; O'Connell, Elisabeth R.,; Ehler, Elisabeth,; Museum für Islamische Kunst (Berlin, Germany); British Museum,; Bode-Museum,; Ägyptisches Museum und Papyrussammlung (Berlin, Germany); Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst (Germany)
Year: 2015
Subjects: Art, Egyptian Exhibitions; Art, African Exhibitions; Abrahamic religions In art Exhibitions.; Pharaohs in art Exhibitions.; Antiquities; Art, Egyptian.; Religion; Egypt Civilization African influences Exhibitions.; Egypt Antiquities Exhibitions.; Egypt Religion Exhibitions.; Egypt History Exhibitions.; Egypt
Abstract: The first millennium in Egypt saw a transition from an ancient pantheon of pagan gods to the one God of the three Abrahamic faiths. Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities were established in succession and peacefully co-existed for long periods of time periodically interrupted by conflict and violence, each faith responding to pre-existing traditions by either rejecting earlier artistic ideas or by adapting and assimilating them. Over 300 objects have been specially selected for this publication, drawing on the significant collections of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and the British Museum and reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the Nile Valley from the first to the twelfth century AD. Through beautiful works of art, including jewellery, painted panels, textiles, sculpture, calligraphy, manuscripts, glass and ceramics, we gain a better understanding of the lives of ordinary and extraordinary people in this important period in Egyptian history. The book also reveals the different types of sacred buildings - synagogue, church, and mosque - and explains their architectural history and dissemination in Egypt.
Contents: part 1. The three religions in Egypt (30 BC-AD 1171) -- part 2. Roman Egypt -- part 3. Late antique Egypt -- part 4. Medieval Egypt -- part 5. Belief and practice across the faiths -- Epilogue.