Ancient égyptien religion

Religion in ancient Egypt presents an awesome array of gods and goddesses, many in alien guises, part human and part animal. The temple rituals, burial practices and rites for overcoming danger or disease ail appear sharply removed from the Western world with its cult of science and rationality. In Ancient Egyptian Religion, the author sets out to place the texts, images and objects of Pharaonic religion in the setting of the world that produced them. They can then be appreciated as human responses to particular 1 living conditions and so regain their poetic power as expressions of universal human needs and fears. Discussing in detail the major deities, including the sun-god Ra, Osiris, Isis and Horus, this book also examines the roles of lesser known gods and goddesses and the impact of Egyptian deities abroad. As à broad and detailed survey, it will appeal to professional and amateur archaeologists, museum visitors and those travelling to Egypt. Dr. Stephen Quirke studied Egyptology at Cambridge University, specializing in the history of the classic Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. He is now à curator in the Department of Egyptian Antiquities, British Museum. His previous publications include Who were the Pharaons?, he is co-author with Carol Andrews of The Rosetta Stone.