The Egyptian Myths: A Guide to the Ancient Gods and Legends

Description

Which gods created the world according to the ancient Egyptians? How did they explain the sun's movements and its disappearance at night? In what ways did mythology permeate their lives? And what did they believe happened in the afterlife? This handy guide to Egyptian mythology explores how the ancient Nile-dwellers explained the world around them. The text delves into the origins of life, the creation and evolution of the world, and the reigns of the gods on earth, before introducing us to the manifestations of Egypt's deities in the natural environment; the inventive ways in which the Egyptians dealt with the invisible forces all around them; and the trials and tribulations of the life hereafter.

Garry Shaw is Honorary fellow at the University of Liverpool.

'The myths are presented here in a down-to-earth manner, consistent with the spirit of the texts, exposing the gamut of human emotion from the rage of the solar deity to the lamentations of the widowed Isis' - History Today 'Provides an excellent introduction to the myths of ancient Egypt and is to be recommended to anyone who is trying to get their head around the subject' - Egyptian Archaeology 'With academic authority and enjoyable style, assisted by numerous, well-chosen illustrations of gods and goddesses, Shaw's book is a lively introduction to its subject' - Current World Archaeology