The Egyptian Book of the Dead
1700
The Egyptian Book of the Dead
1700
Translated by P. Le Page (Peter Le Page) Renouf
This is not a book to read in one sitting. It is a book to be buried with the dead. For over three thousand years, Egyptian priests inscribed these spells inside pyramids, on coffins, and within tomb chambers, the ultimate travel guide for the soul's journey through the realm of the dead. The texts promise resurrection to those who know the right words, the correct passwords, the sacred names that open gates between worlds. The deceased must face judgment, recite defenses, transform into divine beings. It is at once a legal document, a prayer book, and a map of the underworld.
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“living soul for ever.””
— Unknown
“There is neither water nor air here, its depth is unfathomable, it is as dark as the darkest night, and men wander about here helplessly. A man cannot live here and be satisfied, and he cannot gratify the cravings of affection””
— Unknown
“Praise be unto thee, O Osiris, lord of eternity, Unnefer, Heru-khuti (Harmachis), whose forms are manifold, and whose attributes are majestic, Ptah-Seker-Tem in Annu (Heliopolis), the lord of the hidden place, and the creator of Het-ka-Ptah (Memphis) and of the gods [therein], the guide of the underworld, whom [the gods] glorify when thou settest in Nut. Isis embraceth thee in peace, and she driveth away the fiends from the mouth of thy paths. Thou turnest thy face upon Amentet, and thou makest the earth to shine as with refined copper. Those who have lain down (i.e., the dead) rise up to see thee, they breathe the air and they look upon thy face when the Disk riseth on its horizon; their hearts are at peace inasmuch as they behold thee, O thou who art Eternity and Everlastingness!””
— Unknown
“Osiris, seated, wearing the atef crown, and holding in his hands the crook and flail. Before him, by the side of an altar of offerings, stands Ani, with both hands raised in adoration. (3) A balance with the heart, symbolizing the conscience of Ani, in one scale, and [a feather] emblematic of Right and Truth, in the other. Beside the balance is the tri-formed monster Amemit. (4) Thoth, ibis-headed, seated on a pylon-shaped pedestal, painting a large feather of Maat.””
— Unknown
“HYMN OF PRAISE. ‘o osiris, lord of eternity, Un-nefer, Horus of the two horizons, whose forms are manifold, whose creations are without number, Ptah-Seker-Tem in Annu, the lord of the tomb, and the creator of Memphis and of the gods, the guide of the underworld, whom [the gods] glorify when thou settest in Nut. Isis embraceth thee in peace, and she driveth away the fiends from the mouth of thy paths.””
— Unknown
“Ani standing, with both hands raised in adoration, before Ra, hawk-headed and seated in a boat floating upon the sky.””
— Unknown
