Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt

Description

This book is a vivid reconstruction of the practical aspects of ancient Egyptian religion. Through an examination of artefacts and inscriptions, the text explores a variety of issues. For example, who was allowed to enter the temples, and what rituals were performed therein? Who served as priests? How were they organized and trained, and what did they do? What was the Egyptians' attitude toward death, and what happened at funerals? How did the living and dead communicate? In what ways could people communicate with the gods? What impact did religion have on the economy and longevity of the society? This book demystifies Egyptian religion, exploring what it meant to the people and society. The text is richly illustrated with images of rituals and religious objects.

Emily Teeter Ph.D. is a Research Associate and Coordinator of Special Exhibits at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. She has curated temporary and permanent exhibits of Egyptian art at the Oriental Institute Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The author and co-author of a wide range of popular and scholarly publications, her most recent books include Ancient Egypt: Treasures from the Collection of the Oriental Institute; Egypt and the Egyptians; and The Life of Meresamun: A Temple Singer in Ancient Egypt.

'In Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt, Emily Teeter presents her readers with a very helpful offering on Egyptian religion. Rather than examining abstract or esoteric principles, Teeter's book aims to address lived religion, 'how ancient Egyptians related to and worshipped their gods, and how religion affected their daily lives' ... In it she ably familiarizes the reader with the fundamental elements of Egyptian religion, including the priests, temples, festivals, divine-human communication, magic, and the afterlife ... Overall, Teeter's work is to be highly recommended both for the classroom and for the scholar of biblical and comparative literature.' Michael B. Hundley, Journal of Biblical Literature