12/4/19 Michael Zverev PD 7

Mythology, Michael Zverev, P7

12/4/19

Aim: How does the Egyptian Book of the Dead highlight diverse philosophies on existence?

*Note the influence of the B.O.D on the bible!

Watch film on the Egyptian Book of the Dead 

- Scroll of Ani well preserved.
- Many prayers and hieroglyphic illustrations → 78 foot scroll, with over 200 spells
- The Book of the Dead originated from concepts depicted in tomb paintings and

inscriptions.
- Amulets found to protect body over perils they meet in the afterlife.
- Egyptians preserved bodies for the sole to re enter the body. They wanted to send

them into a comfortable afterlife.
- Pulled brain and organs out of body before mummification.
- Prevented bacterial growth in skull.
- Heart - center of intelligence. It was left in the body during mummification
- Sacred text, known to have “the ability to enable the soul of the deceased to navigate

the afterlife.”
- Studies major aspects of existence in the universe.

Student Reflection: 

 

As we dive into our study of the origins of existence and the stories and

legends that arise from it, it is important to realize that each culture is raised

by its own beliefs and experience. The view that Egyptians have on existence and

how they value life and death is a prime example of the diverse philosophies in

which make up our study of existence. Not only does the scroll demonstrate

differences between how people viewed existence, but it also seems to have

carried influence into more widely known texts. The Bible, as well as other religious

texts all allude to death and the need to preserve in the afterlife. Although the

B.O.D is commonly misinterpreted as a Bible to the Egyptians, it was merely a text

meant to describe views on preservation, afterlife, and judgement. The utterly specific

views about these aspects of existence are what goes to show just show broad the

subject is, and how different cultures like to acknowledge and study existence itself.