The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead »

The Book of the Dead is the name now given to a collection of religious and magical texts known to the ancient Egyptians as The Chapters of Coming-forth by Day. Their principal aim was to secure for the deceased a satisfactory afterlife and to give him the power to leave his tomb when necessary. Copies of The Book of the Dead written on papyrus rolls were placed in the tombs of important Egyptians, each roll containing a selection of chapters. Many examples have survived from antiquity, dating mostly from c. 1500 BCE--250 BCE. In this volume, the text translated by the late Dr. R.O. Faulkner is that found in the papyrus prepared for the scribe Ani which is one of the greatest treasures in the British Museum. The vignettes are taken from the many finely illustrated copies which are preserved in the collections of the British Museum.

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From an archaeological perspective, and drawing on new excavations, Kemp (Egyptology, Cambridge) explores ways in which Egypt of about 3000-1000 BC prefigures our own culture. He discusses what he sees as major shaping forces of the civilization, such as political myth and ideology, bureaucracy, the quest for food and work, charismatic rule, the political and economic constraints on daily life, and the interplay between change and stability through the centuries. Contains many plans of buildings and towns, and redrawings of carvings. The Book of the dead is the name now given to a collection of religious and magical texts known to the ancient Egyptians as The Chapters of coming-forth by day. Their principal aim was to secure for the deceased a satisfactory afterlife and to give him the power to leave his tomb when necessary. In this volume, the text translated by the late R.O. Faulkner is that found in the papyrus prepared for the scribe Ani, which now resides in the British Museum. With 60 color and 85 b&w illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Foreword
Sources of the illustrations
Introduction
List of Spells
The Spells
Introductory Hymn to the Sun-God Re
Introductory Hymn to Osiris
Glossary