Egyptian Myths. Gods and Pharaohs, Creation of the World and the Afterlife

The Great Sphinx at Giza, mysterious frescoes in the burial chambers of the pyramids, and symbolic images of the Eye of Horus are well-known and impressive works of art. However, they are just separate elements of an all-encompassing cosmological system,... in which the origin of the Earth and the prosperity ensured by the regular flooding of the Nile are explained through a divine principle. With the change of pharaohs, the rise and fall of kingdoms and dynasties, the roles of gods, goddesses, and their stories evolved, and thus the mythology of Ancient Egypt reflected the change of power, the successes of the country, and the influence of the legendary on the lives of the Egyptians. This publication provides a broad overview of the cosmology of Ancient Egypt, describing the characteristics of myths as they existed among both the wealthy and powerful elite and among the common people, as well as the internal and external political and economic influences on the status of gods and associated legends and stories. Katherine Chambers also examines the iconography and texts that transported Egyptians from stories that explained the surrounding world to the mysteries and magic of the realm of the dead, explains the roles of priests and the uniqueness of temples, and shows the influence of Egyptian myths on belief systems and art. The book "Egyptian Myths. Gods and Pharaohs, Creation of the World and the Afterlife," illustrated with reproductions of works of art and photographs, is an engaging and highly informative exploration of a rich ancient culture that continues to captivate us to this day.