The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
by Richard H. Wilkinson

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Book Reviews of The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt

Book Review: Encyclopedic
Summary: 5 Stars

Summary of The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt

This book examines the evolution, worship, and eventual decline of the numerous gods and goddesses—from minor household figures such as Bes and Taweret to the all-powerful deities Amun and Re—that made Egypt the most completely theocratic society of the ancient world, and made Egyptians, according to Herodotus, "more religious than any other people."

• "Rise and Fall of the Gods" considers the origins of Egypt's deities, their struggles to control cosmic forces, and their eventual decline.
• "Nature of the Gods" examines the forms, appearances, and manifestations of the deities, as well as the transcendence of preeminent deities such as Amun.
• "Worship of the Gods" introduces the rituals and mysteries of formal Egyptian worship, including the importance of temples and festivals.
• "Kingship and the Gods" discusses the all-important position of the king, who served as a bridge between the gods and humanity.
• "The Many Faces of the Divine" is a unique catalogue of Egypt's gods and goddesses grouped according to their primary forms, discussing their iconography, mythology, and worship, and their influence over time.

With hundreds of illustrations and specially commissioned drawings, this is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the deities that lay at the heart of Egyptian religion and society. 400 illustrations, 170 in color.

Egypt Books

• History > Ancient
• Middle East > Egypt
• Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Archaeology
• Folklore & Mythology
• Sociology
• Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Egyptian
• Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Goddesses
• History: Ancient: General
• Nonfiction: Social Sciences: Sociology: General
• Religion & Spirituality: General
• History: Africa: Egypt: General
• Nonfiction: Social Sciences: Archaeology: General