Reading Qs 2

Important Egyptian Gods for Today: Osiris, Anubis, Thoth, Re, Ammit, Atum, Seth, Horus

Darnell and Darnell Introduction to the Netherworld Books pages 4-15

The Netherworld Books were texts written on coffins and tomb walls during the Egyptian New Kingdom (1550-1069 BC[E]). They describe the journey of the sun god(s) during the night, which is closely connected with Egyptian beliefs about what spirits/souls do during the afterlife.

1. Why is the union of the sun god Re and Osiris, king of the netherworld, important? (pages 6-7) (Think about this, but you don’t have to write an answer.)
2. What was the purpose of mummification? (page 7)
3. Who gets punished in the Egyptian afterlife? (page 10)

The Book of Gates, pages 286-295

The Book of Gates is one of the Netherworld Books, and like the others, often was written on coffins or tomb walls. It describes a twelve-hour journey through the netherworld.

1. Re, the sun god, sails a boat (often called the “sun bark”) through the Netherworld (picture on page 288). What dangers do he and his companions face there? (pages 286-287)
2. What are mummified gods (and other mummified bas) supposed to do when Re passes by? (pages 290-291)
3. What kinds of people receive Osiris’ blessing? (pages 292-294)
4. Some people don’t receive Osiris’ blessing. What happens to them? (page 295)

The Book of the Dead, Chapter 125 (and Related Bits)

The Book of the Dead (ancient name, The Book of Going Forth By Day) existed in many different forms in ancient Egypt. The chapters might be written in different orders, shortened, or lengthened, and were accompanied by many different images. This version comes from the Papyrus of Ani, which was written for an Egyptian priest named Ani. You can see him on page 1 with his wife, both dressed in white (bottom left).

In Chapter 125, the ba (spirit/soul) of a dead person arrives in the Hall of Justice.

1. Is it easy to get into the Hall? (pages 12-13)
2. Who is the first god that you have to get past? What kind of god does he seem to be? (pages 6-7)
3. What does the person need to say when they arrive in the Hall? (page 1, alternate version page 10)
4. What god evaluates you once you have spoken? (pages 1-2, 13)
5. Look at the picture on page 2. In the picture to the bottom center and right, the god Anubis (with the jackal head) is doing something, while Thoth (the ibis-headed) is doing something else. What appears to be going on? (Think about this, but you don’t have to write an answer.)

Allen – Introduction to the Pyramid Texts

1. During roughly what time period were the Pyramid Texts used, and who got to use them? (pages 1, 4)
2. The Pyramid Texts are divided into two major types, ritual spells and personal spells. How were the ritual spells started up and maintained? What kinds of things were these ritual spells meant to do? (pages 6-7)
3. How were the personal spells enacted? What kinds of things were they meant to do? (page 7)
4. In the Egyptian worldview, what are the three basic parts of a human being? (pages 7-8)
5. What journey did a ba have to make every night? (pages 8-9)