This introduction explains the cultural and historical background to the fascinating and complex world of Egyptian myth. To show the variety of source material for Egyptian myth, each chapter features a particular object--such as the obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle, a golden statute of Tutankhamun, and a papyrus containing a story in which the Egyptian gods behave outrageously--which is illustrated by a photograph or line-drawing. In addition to a list of major deities and myths, there are explanations of related topics such as how hieroglyphs work, royal names and titles, and the Egyptian cosmos.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- 1: The Myth of Egypt (Imagined Egypts)
- Key object - Cleopatra's Needle
- 2: Words of the gods (Myth and Language)
- Key object - The Metternich Stela
- 3: Millions of Gods (Deities and Myth)
- Key object - Statue of King Amenhotep III with Sobek-Ra
- 4: The Beautiful Moment (Creation Myths)
- Key object - The Shabaqo Stone
- 5: Everything Which the Sun Encircles (The Landscape of Egyptian Myth)
- Key object - Coffin painted with underworld map
- 6: Lord of the Two Lands
- Key object - Statuette of Tutankhamum as Horus the Hunter
- 7: The Big Fight (Conflict and Reconciliation)
- Key object - Papyrus Chester Beatty I
- 8: The Cosmic Eye (Myth and Symbolism)
- Key object - 'Sacred eye' Amulet
- 9: Personal Myths (Myth and Popular Religion)
- Key object - Ivory 'Magic Wand'
- 10: The Return of the Mummy
- Key object - Corn Mummy
- Timeline of Egyptian History
- Suggested further reading