The renowned Egyptologist Erik Hornung here studies the ancient Egyptians' conceptions of god, basing his account on a thorough reappraisal of the primary sources. His book, now available in English for the first time, is the most extensive exploration yet undertaken of the nature of Egyptian religion.Hornung examines the characteristics, spheres of action, and significance of Egyptian gods and goddesses, analyzing the complex and changing iconography used to represent them, and disentangling the many seemingly contradictory aspects of the religion of which they are a part. He seeks to answer two basic questions: How did the Egyptians themselves see their gods? Did they believe there was an impersonal, anonymous force behind the multiplicity of their deities? Throughout, he attempts to evoke the complexity and richness of the religion of the ancient Egyptians and of their worldview, which differs so greatly from our own.A work of extraordinary distinction, Hornung's book will appeal to anyone interested in ancient Egypt, in ancient religion, and in the history of religion, as well as students and scholars of ancient history, anthropology, and archaeology. Sensitively translated by John Baines and with a new preface by the author, this edition has been amplified and updated with an English-language audience in mind.

    Probes the mystery of the construction and significance of the Great Pyramid of Cheops, suggesting that it enshrines the scientific data of an advanced Egyptian civilization.

    Diadems, armlets, earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, breastplates, amulets ...wrought in the rare and precious gems and metals that have stirred man's greed and wonder for centuries...Nubian gold, vivid lapis lazuli, bright-colored camelian. Cyril Aldred, one of the world's foremost Egyptologists, tells their enchanting and dramatic story...the myths and legends, the discoveries and thefts, that have marked each treasure's history. He explains the fascinating uses and significance of Egyptian jewels and describes the amazing techniques that created them.

    The book description for the previously published Cairo is not yet available.