Lectures given at a symposium held in 1987, sponsored by Fordham University.

This book is a vivid reconstruction of ancient Egyptian religious rituals that were enacted in temples, tombs, and private homes.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile - their life source - was a divine gift. Religion and magic permeated their civilization, and this book provides a unique insight into their religious beliefs and practices, from 5000 BC to the 4th century AD, when Egyptian Christianity replaced the earlier customs. Arranged chronologically, this book provides a fascinating introduction to the world of half-human/ half-animal gods and goddesses; death rituals, the afterlife and mummification; the cult of sacred animals, pyramids, magic and medicine. An appendix contains translations of Ancient Eygtian spells.

Exploring Religion in Ancient Egypt offers a stimulatingoverview of the study of ancient Egyptian religion by examiningresearch drawn from beyond the customary boundaries of Egyptologyand shedding new light on entrenched assumptions. Discusses the evolution of religion in ancient Egypt – abelief system that endured for 3,000 years Dispels several modern preconceptions about ancient Egyptianreligious practices Reveals how people in ancient Egypt struggled to securewell-being in the present life and the afterlife

The Religion of Ancient Egypt is a classic religious studies text by the great pioneering English egyptologist, W. M. Flinders Petrie. Before dealing with the special varieties of the Egyptians' belief in gods, it is best to try to avoid a misunderstanding of their whole conception of the supernatural. The term god has come to tacitly imply to our minds such a highly specialised group of attributes, that we can hardly throw our ideas back into the more remote conceptions to which we also attach the same name.

Looks at the different gods the Egyptians worshiped, how their changing political systems impacted religion, and how Egyptians' idea of the afterlife is reflected in their art.