Book Description

A prolific Victorian Egyptologist explores, in this classic book first published in 1899, the position of Ra, Osiris, Set, and Isis among the diverse pantheon of numerous deities of ancient Egypt, as well as their domination of the collective imagination of this sophisticated civilization. Hymns from The Book of the Dead illustrate the beliefs of the Egyptian peoples regarding the afterlife, judgment after death, resurrection, and immortality. The writings of E.A. Wallis Budge are considered somewhat controversial today because of his use of an archaic system of translation, but useful illustrations and an abundance of information make them necessary resources for students of the ancient world as well as those of the evolution of historical study. Conveying the beauty and power of the religion of ancient Egypt, this fascinating book remains an important work today. SIR ERNEST ALFRED THOMPSON WALLIS BUDGE (1857-1934) was born in Bodmin, Cornwall in the UK and discovered an interest in languages at a very early age. Budge spent all his free time learning and discovering Semitic languages, including Assyrian, Syriac, and Hebrew. Eventually, through a close contact, he was able to acquire a job working with Egyptian and Iraqi artifacts at the British Museum. Budge excavated and deciphered numerous cuneiform and hieroglyphic documents, contributing vastly to the museum's collection. Eventually, he became the Keeper of his department, specializing in Egyptology. Budge wrote many books during his lifetime, most specializing in Egyptian life, religion, and language.