The Egyptian Book of the Dead

by E a Wallis Budge (Translator)

Overview

This papyrus is long known as the standard version of The Egyptian Book of the Dead. The Egyptians believed in an afterlife and this book served these beliefs for more than 3000 years. It provides instructions for the souls that pass on and enter into the Land of the Gods, while also covering detailed rituals to be performed for the dead. The Papyrus of Ani was purchased for the British Museum in 1888 by E. A. Wallis Budge, who also became its' translator. It was discovered near Luxor in an 18th Dynasty tomb, written as a copy in about 1500 BC for the Royal Scribe of Thebes, Ani. Chapters have been found carved on the walls of the pyramid from the earlier 5th Dynasty, on the walls of ancient tombs, painted on mummy cases, and written on papyrus throughout Egypt's long history. Budge described this particular text as being "the largest roll of papyrus I had ever seen, tied with a thick band of papyrus, and in a perfect state of preservation." It turned out to be 78 feet in length, with 37 separations according to topic and chapter divisions. This book is a copy of that scroll, with a running English translation. It is unquestionably the most important text of ancient Egypt, meant to insure the spiritual welfare of everyone who passes on and enters their future life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585093656
Publisher:	Book Tree, The
Publication date:	07/12/2016
Pages:	252
Sales rank:	284,328
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Many examples of Egyptian funerary scrolls exist. The version used in this edition is that of the famous and well-preserved Papyrus of Ani, written around 1500 B.C. Ani was the Royal Scribe of Thebes, Overseer of the Granaries of the Lords of Abydos, and Scribe of the Offerings of the Lords of Thebes. As such, he was honored with a fine example of a funerary papyrus.