Journey through the afterlife
Subtitle: ancient Egyptian Book of the dead
By: edited by John H. Taylor
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 320
ISBN-13: 9780674057500
Subjects: Egyptian Incantations; Book of the dead; Future life; Religion
Description: "The Book of the Dead" is not a single text but a compilation of spells that the ancient Egyptians believed would assist them in the afterlife as they made their perilous journey toward the realm of the gods and the ultimate state of eternity. No two copies are identical. The spells are often accompanied by colored vignettes, which graphically show the imagined landscape of the Netherworld, the gods and demons whom the deceased will meet, and the critical 'weighing of the heart' - the judgment that will determine whether the traveler will be admitted into the afterlife or condemned to destruction by the monstrous 'Devourer'. With contributions from leading scholars and detailed catalog entries that interpret the spells and painted scenes, this fascinating and important book affords a greater understanding of ancient Egyptian belief systems and poignantly reveals the hopes and fears of mortal man about the 'world' beyond death.
Notes: Originally published: London : British Museum Press, 2010.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: ILife and afterlife in the ancient Egyptian cosmos; title: Preparing for the afterlife; title: The evolution of the Book of the dead / by Irmtraut Munro; title: The day of burial; title: The mummy in the tomb; title: The landscape of the hereafter; title: Empowering the dead; title: Avoiding disaster; title: Judgement; title: The perfect afterlife; title: Making the Book of the dead / by Rita Lucarelli; title: Studying the Book of the dead / by Barbara Lüscher.