The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
- ISBN13: 9780500051207
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product DescriptionWorshiped for over three-fifths of recorded history, ancient Egypt’s gods and goddesses are among the most fascinating of human civilization. The lives of pharaohs and commoners alike were dominated by the need to honor, worship, and pacify the huge pantheon of deities. From lavish tomb paintings and imposing temple reliefs to humble household shrines, countless tributes throughout Egypt reflect the richness and complexity of their mythology. This book examines t. . . More >>
As I first starting reading this book, I noticed the dates were very very advanced from any other dates that I had seen with the corrosponding event. Sadly, after that I didn’t really take in things said in the book to be of researched value. But it does have useful maps, and pictures of present Egypt to compare with drawings of ancient Egypt.
Rating: 3 / 5
This is a terrific analysis and discussion of the varied and complex religious development and influence of the ancient Egyptians. I have been fascinated with the connections among the religious traditions of mankind and have found many seminal concepts and ideas in this book. This is written in plain language and can be easily used for personal as well as reference in the field of religion and religious iconography. Beautifully photographed and helpful in understanding the incredible complexity of ancient Egyptian religious development.
Rating: 5 / 5
Wilkinson’s treatment of the pantheon of Egyptian dieties is truly encyclopedic. Beginning with dieties of the pre-dynastic era, he not only provides information about the specific gods and goddesses, but the book is rich with prints of reliefs and statues of them. I am not an Eyptologist, but I do teach a survey on ancient civilzations. This book has been of tremendous value in “filling in” minutae and details of Egyptian religion and, by extension, Egyptian society. Recommended.
Rating: 5 / 5
First off, “The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt” is not a book you want to read cover to cover. I love Egyptian mythology, but I really just use it for refrence when I need it. Some of the other sections on the origins of the dieties and such are great information as well. For $30, it is an excellent book, although if you really want some truly in-depth (and hard to digest) material, more academic books might appeal, although they tend to run significantly more. For its price, I think this book is an excellent introduction to the roles and mythology of the Egyptian dieties. Despite how my review sounds, I enjoy it.
Rating: 4 / 5
I agree with the other reviewers – beautifully illustrated, mostly in full color. It is comprehensive yet particularly the first half of the book is easy to read in it’s entirety. The first part of the book covers general concepts of Egyptian Religion and the deities. The second covers individual deities in detail.
I had been looking for a book on Ancient Egyptian religion and deities which was neither outdated in its ideas, nor sterile or boring, nor full of fluff, nor overwhelmed with dense detail, nor assumed detailed prior knowledge of anthropology, archeology or African/Near Eastern history and religion. This book is it. It is beautifully clear and explains how Egyptian views of each deity changed over time. It clearly presents for each deity what syncretism occurred (merging with other gods or the adoption of other gods’ attributes) with time. It contains some of the most recent thinking on how the Egyptians might have viewed their own deities. My only minor negative would be that there are no references or footnotes in the text itself for the expert. However, within the body of the text, the author does mention which academics advanced which important concepts and coupled with the extensive and detailed bibliography arranged by subject matter at the end of the book, this minor gripe is assuaged.
The binding and quality of the book, its print, and illustrations are beautiful – it would make a lovely gift for someone.
Easy to read for both the beginner and the non-beginner in this area, but full of crystal clear detail for one who wants a good reference book even for more advanced students of religion.
Rating: 5 / 5