The History of Egypt for Kids - Egyptian Texts and BooksThe Civilization, Culture & History of Ancient Egypt and facts about Egyptian texts and books |
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Egyptian Texts and Books
The primary sources of evidence for the religious beliefs and the cults of their gods and goddesses, Pharaohs and the dead include large scale inscriptions on the walls of temples, shrines, obelisks, temples, manuscripts and on sacred objects and amulets. The religious texts and religious books were documented sources of evidence and included the Pyramid Texts, the Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead and the Book of Ani, the Book of Gates, the Book of Caverns and the Amduat. The famous books and ancient Egyptian texts and books gradually evolved over the periods of the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom. This article provides information and interesting facts about the evolution of the most famous ancient Egyptian text and books that reflected their religious beliefs and formed a large section of Ancient Egyptian Literature. Ancient Egyptian books were written in hieroglyphic, hieratic and demotic text.
Ancient Egypt - Egyptian Texts and Books Fact Sheet |
Fact 1 on Egyptian texts: | Many of the ancient Egyptian texts gradually evolved over a long period of time and are evident in the inscriptions on the walls of temples, tombs, shrines, obelisks, manuscripts and on sacred objects, fetishes and amulets.
| Fact 2 on Egyptian texts: | The most famous books and text were contained in the Pyramid Texts, the Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead and the Book of Ani, the Book of Gates, the Book of Caverns, the Book of the Earth, Books of Breathing, Books of the Netherworld and the Amduat.
| Fact 3 on Egyptian texts: | These different text and famous books emerged over many hundreds of years during the periods called the:
| Old Kingdom (2686 to 2181 B.C.) + First Intermediate period = 630 years |
| Middle Kingdom (2055 to 1650 B.C.) + Second Intermediate period = 505 years |
| New Kingdom (1550 to 1070 B.C.) + Second Intermediate period = 480 years | | | |
| Fact 4 on Egyptian texts: | The Pyramid Texts are the oldest collection of religious spells from the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. These sacred writings were written exclusively for the pharaohs and were carved on the walls and sarcophagi of the pyramids at Saqqara.
| Fact 5 on Egyptian texts: | The Coffin Texts, also known as the Book of the Two Ways, were funerary texts of the Middle Kingdom (2181–2055 BCE). These consisted of a collection of more than 1,000 spells found on the interior walls of coffins of non-royal Egyptians. They were intended to direct the souls of the dead past the dangers encountered on the journey through the Underworld (Duat).
| Fact 6 on Egyptian texts: | The Book of Two Ways was created in the period of the Middle Kingdom and derives from inscriptions on 22 non-royal coffins. Some of the text was used as for the pharaohs but it also describes dangerous journey and the seven demons who are the gate keepers of the netherworld
| Fact 7 on Egyptian texts: | The Book of the Dead or the "Book of Going Forth by Day" is the name given to collection of funerary texts and spells for ancient Egyptians. There were many versions as each book was personalized for each deceased person. It can be described as an ancient Egyptian 'Guide to the Afterlife'.
| Fact 8 on Egyptian texts: | The "Book of the Opening of the Mouth" was created in the period of the New Kingdom. It described the funerary rituals and ceremonies that consisted of a long list of suitable offerings for the deceased, together with a litany recited by the priests. This text was also painted on the walls of the royal tomb.
| Fact 9 on Egyptian texts: | The Book of Caverns was created in the New Kingdom and describes the journey of the sun god Ra through the six caverns of the underworld The book focuses on rewards in the afterlife and the terrible punishments of the Underworld.
| Fact 10 on Egyptian texts: | The Book of the Earth, also referred to as the "Creation of the Sun Disk" and the "Book of Aker". It serves as a counterpart to the Book of Caverns and describes the journey of Osiris and Ra through the Underworld and details punishments that could be expected by evil people including deaths in pits of fire.
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Ancient Egypt - Egyptian Texts and Books Fact Sheet |
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Egyptian Texts
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about Egyptian texts for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about Egyptian texts for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about Egyptian texts for research, schools, students and kids of all ages. |
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Egyptian Texts
Learn about Egyptian texts the fast and easy way via the Egyptian texts Fact sheet.
Ancient Egypt - Egyptian Texts and Books Fact Sheet |
Fact 11 on Egyptian texts: | The Amduat or the "Book of what is in the Tuat" was created in the period of the New Kingdom. It was large funeral book in which the priests of the god Amun described the journey of Amun in the realms of the dead.
| Fact 12 on Egyptian texts: | The "Book of Thoth" also referred to as the "Emerald Tablets of Thoth" was kept in his temple at Hermopolis. The " Book of Thoth" contained a series of sacred texts that were believed to reveal the secret of life and provided the key to the secrets of the earth, fire, the sun and the moon.
| Fact 13 on Egyptian texts: | The wisdom and the knowledge of the ancient Egyptians were kept in secret chambers in the temples. The ancient Egyptian temples were not just places of worship. The temple complexes also housed treasuries, offices, schools and palaces and were also centres of government, economy and commerce.
| Fact 14 on Egyptian texts: | Books were written in hieroglyphic, hieratic and demotic text.
| Fact 15 on Egyptian texts: | Hieroglyphic text: The ancient Egyptians called Hieroglyphics "the language of the gods", the Greek word 'Hieroglyphic' means holy writing. Hieroglyphics were a complex form of writing and used mainly by the priests, royalty and civil officials.
| Fact 16 on Egyptian texts: | Hieratic script was used for everyday purposes such as keeping records, accounts and writing letters.
| Fact 17 on Egyptian texts: | Demotic Text: The word derives from Greek 'demoticos' meaning popular. Demotic text was a simplified form of the ancient hieratic script and was used by ordinary people
| Fact 18 on Egyptian texts: | Other types of Egyptian texts fell into the categories of: religion, autobiography, history, medicine, poetry, moral, philosophical and Wisdom literature.
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Ancient Egypt - Egyptian Texts and Books Fact Sheet |
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Egyptian Texts | Facts and Information about Egyptian text and books | | Egyptian texts and books | | The people, places, culture and civilization of ancient Egypt | | Facts and information about Ancient Egypt & the Egyptians | | Egyptian texts for kids and schools | | Egyptian text for kids, schools, homework and research | | Egyptian text and books |
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Egyptian Texts and Books
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and Egyptian texts inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about Egyptian texts will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian Texts and Books |
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