Whatsapp Me
  • Local Time: 12:51 PM
  • Weather: 23 ℃ / 74 ℉
Login

The Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead | Book of the Dead Summery | Marvelous Egypt Tour

Book of the Dead

The ancient Egyptians were aware of the possibility of the existence of an afterlife and for that sole purpose, they invested a great deal of the time of imagination into creating the mysterious book of the dead

the afterlife. They were in common use for 1500 years from Egypt old kingdom (2575-2150 BC) till the Greco-roman period (332 BC-642 AD). The original title was translated to "Book of Coming Forth by Day" or "Book of Emerging Forth Into the Light" by the famous German Egyptologist Karl Richard Lepsius who published the first collection of the texts in 1842. The book of the dead was never fully codified and no copies of the book are exactly the same as each copy of the book is unique because it was created for each individual passed on his own life.
Logo

History of the Book of the Dead

The book of the dead goes all way back to the old kingdom, where it was developed from the tradition of funerary manuscripts called the pyramid texts around 2400 BCE. These texts were written on the walls of the burial chamber of the pharaohs within their pyramids in an unusual hieroglyphic style. Their goal was to act as a guide book to provide all the necessary information and instruct the deceased on how to survive in the afterlife and ascend with the gods. In Egypt middle kingdom ( 2030-1650 BC), the Coffin Texts which is like an update of the Pyramids Texts started to spread as it had a new version of the language, new spells, and illustrations for the first time. They were written mostly on coffins, but sometimes on tomb walls or on papyri.

By the 17th dynasty, the book was highly popular as it no longer included members from the royal family but also courtiers and officials. By the new kingdom (1570-1069 BCE) the book already became a crucial part of their culture as it could be found in the tomb of anyone who can afford them as a person who is on the verge of death can hire a scribe and create his own personal book. During the Ptolemaic Dynasty (323-30 BCE) the book continued to be used, and each book had many copies, forms, and sizes.

Logo

Contains the Book of the Dead

The book acted as a ritual formula for performing magical and religious practices. The book holds about 192 spell that serves many purposes, one of the most famous spells in the book was the famous spell 125 "The Weighing of the Heart" which the judgment of the soul happens in the afterlife in the Hall of Truth in front of the King of The underworld "Osiris" where the heart of the deceased is weighed against the feather of Maat to decided whether he would enter the fields of Reed or vanish from existence. Because of Osiris Popularity and his important role in eternal judgment, more & more people desired the book to win the graces of the ruler of the underworld. The book contains many magical techniques for creating magical amulets. It also contained many definitions and illustrations about the mummification process, the Ka (life-force), Heka (magic), transformation, the afterlife, and the judicial process.

Egypt has a lot to discover such as the history, civilization, and attractions all of these are the main reasons to visit this holy country, so we have magnificent Egypt tour packages and Nile river cruises can't be missed, check them and book your dream vacation.

4 Days Cairo Tour Packages - Marvelous Egypt Tour From: $350
Availability: Everyday

4 Days Cairo Tour Packages

Private 4 Days Cairo Tour Packages for UAE Travelers 4 days Cairo Egypt Tour package...

Tour Location: Cairo – Giza...

Duration

4 Days / 3 Nights

Tour Type

Classic Tour

5 Days Cairo & Alexandria Tour Package From: $450
Availability: Everyday

5 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour Package

5 Days Cairo and Alexandria Tour Package For UAE Travelers 5 days Cairo and Alexandr...

Tour Location: Cairo/Giza/Alexandria...

Duration

5 Days / 4 Nights

Tour Type

Classic Tour

6 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Holiday - Marvelous Egypt Tour From: $880
Availability: Everyday

6 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Holiday

6 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan Tour Package For UAE Travelers 6 days Cairo, Luxor &...

Tour Location: Cairo/Giza/Aswan/Luxor...

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Tour Type

Classic Tour

7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Holiday - Marvelous Egypt Tour From: $890
Availability: Everyday

7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Holiday

Amazing 7 Days Cairo and Hurghada Holiday for UAE Travelers 7 Days Cairo & Hurgh...

Tour Location: Cairo – Giza – Hurgh...

Duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Tour Type

Classic Tour

Was This Article Helpful?

Writer: Team

About the Author: Team

Marvelous Egypt Tour team dedicates its time and energy to preserving and showcasing the vast history and mysteries of the ancient Egyptians that trace back more than 5000 years across their most famous destinations that hold an incredible number of monuments and attractions. The team’s main purpose is to shed light on the infinite wealth of natural, historical, cultural, and mythological knowledge for everyone who wished to learn something new and prepare for their journey across the magical destinations of Egypt.

All the team members of the Egypt tours portal are a highly knowledgeable and qualified group of Egyptologists, Archaeologists, historians, world travelers, content creators, digital marketers, consultants, and explorers who have a vast experience in each of their fields, stretching from 5 to 20 years where everyone gained an unfathomable understanding of their craft that provide all the visitors and clients to gain priceless information and all the means needed to have the most entertaining travel experience in Egypt.

The information mentioned on the website was created over a long period of time by a number of the most qualified experts in each of their fields which was updated regularly on a monthly basis and depends on a number of highly trusted sources with confirmed facts to ensure the safest delivery and consumption of each information in the most useful and positive manner.

All our sources and resources of the Egypt tours portal which was cultivated for over 25 years that were made to provide the most incredible Egypt tours & vacation packages, Egypt Nile cruises, Egypt day tours & excursions, and Egypt shore excursions that have won the praise of all our clients as shown by own clients on TripAdvisor, won a number of awards, and mentioned by a number of renowned news agencies and travel blogs plus provides an enriching educational and entertaining travel experience for everyone.

Leave Your Comment

Logo

Request a Call Back

Do You Face an Issue to Send a Request?

Send Your Request Directly to:

Our Clients Feedback

Eoffers valuable insights straight from the source, capturing the voices and experiences of those who matter most – our cherished clients

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: 5 Days Tour of Group Witnessing Egypt’s Jewels

Experience Date: June 9, 2022

My fiancé and I booked a private 5 day tour of Egypt with Egypt Travel and Tours starting in Cairo followed Read More

image
Ariana C

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: Experience Egypt Cultural Sightseeing in 10 Days

Experience Date: September 27, 2020

This was the trip of a lifetime that I was able to have with my eldest son - an absolutelyRead More

image
L Joe Smith

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: Experience Egypt in 9 Days

Experience Date: August 26, 2022

Marvelous Egypt Tour is an excellent company to use to arrange your visit to Egypt. They worRead More

image
Coopey

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: 5 Days Cairo, Luxor & Abu Simbel Tour

Experience Date: September 1, 2020

It was an absolutely amazing trip where we saw some of the most historical and beautiful sRead More

image
Jenna T

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: 5 Days Nile River Cruise Luxor to Aswan

Experience Date: August 25, 2022

Highly recommend this tour company!!! Our guides, Moses, Mahmoud, Magred and Mohamed were Read More

image
Gymmie

Image
Tour Rating:

Tour Name: 5 Days Cairo, Luxor & Abu Simbel Tour

Experience Date: September 19, 2022

This review is a late, but I had to provide some feedback. My brother and I went on vacatiRead More

image
Timmy Lovett

Our Partners

  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners
  • Marvelous Egypt Tour Parners