quote:Originally posted by Bunker.Pressler: If a new translation of the Book of Aker interests you please visit Book of Aker
^^^^^copy of recent thread in Ancient Egypt forum
Posted by rahotep101 (Member # 18764) on :
I rather suspect Egyptian religion was deliberately mysterious, complex and convoluted as a way of keeping the priesthood in their position of power. Amazing the elaborations of cosmology that the religious have dreamt up. It reminds me of the gnostic scriptures with their host of semi-divinites, demiurgues and aeons and what not. It's all about baffling brains and inspiring awe in the uninitiated.
Posted by Bunker.Pressler (Member # 19027) on :
Yes, in first appearances it seems that by design the religion and mysteries of Egypt were intended to conceal and confuse.
This may be, partially, because the Egyptian language changed greatly over the course of thousands of years. The priesthood preserved the ancient texts by copying them over and over again. They were the custodians of written materials: the keepers of books or the librarians. As the evolution of society took place, the old ways of writing gave way to the new ways. Hieroglyphic became Hieratic, Hieratic became Demotic, Demotic became Coptic. By that time, only the priesthood could read the hieroglyphic texts. For the most part, they were used in religious texts and funeral ceremonies, similar to history of the Latin language and script. It wasn't a secret, but possessed the appearance of secrecy, because only those who were familiar with it, could understand, read, write, and speak it. Another similarity between Hieroglyphs and Latin, is that Latin also became thought of as a "holy" language and eventually was used almost exclusively by the Roman Catholic Church. Latin was also used by the medical profession and could also be thought of as a "medical" language that only doctors (the initiates) could comprehend.
It is amazing that we can even understand any of the hieroglyphic texts from Ancient Egypt, and our lack of perfect understanding may also serve as a barrier to our correct interpretations of it, which may contribute to its appearance of secrecy.
As we continue to gain clearer understanding of the intended meaning recorded by those ancient authors, the barriers of mystery may disappear.
Posted by sam p (Member # 11774) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bunker.Pressler: Yes, in first appearances it seems that by design the religion and mysteries of Egypt were intended to conceal and confuse.
This may be, partially, because the Egyptian language changed greatly over the course of thousands of years. The priesthood preserved the ancient texts by copying them over and over again. They were the custodians of written materials: the keepers of books or the librarians. As the evolution of society took place, the old ways of writing gave way to the new ways. Hieroglyphic became Hieratic, Hieratic became Demotic, Demotic became Coptic. By that time, only the priesthood could read the hieroglyphic texts. For the most part, they were used in religious texts and funeral ceremonies, similar to history of the Latin language and script. It wasn't a secret, but possessed the appearance of secrecy, because only those who were familiar with it, could understand, read, write, and speak it. Another similarity between Hieroglyphs and Latin, is that Latin also became thought of as a "holy" language and eventually was used almost exclusively by the Roman Catholic Church. Latin was also used by the medical profession and could also be thought of as a "medical" language that only doctors (the initiates) could comprehend.
It is amazing that we can even understand any of the hieroglyphic texts from Ancient Egypt, and our lack of perfect understanding may also serve as a barrier to our correct interpretations of it, which may contribute to its appearance of secrecy.
As we continue to gain clearer understanding of the intended meaning recorded by those ancient authors, the barriers of mystery may disappear.
I doubt it's nearly so complicated and convoluted as it appears on the surface. Religion was local so there wasn't only a single religion but many of them and there were many subtle and profound differences. I also believe that the origin of the religion is grossly misunderstood. Many of the Gods and beliefs went far back beyond dynastic Egypt but these concepts were modified to fit their own ideas and beliefs.
There may have been a massive change after the 4th dynasty in the religion related to the end of building great pyramids and if the causes of this change are discovered it just might make the religion much more comprehensible.
Posted by Djehuti (Member # 6698) on :
^ I concur. Sadly our understanding of ancient Egyptian religion is based largely if not entirely on the state cults and its priesthoods which was practiced in conjunction with the elites-- the royals and nobles. What many people do not know is that there were many various local cults that were presided by local community priests which the common people participated in. There is also evidence to suggest these local community priests were largely female not only from archaeology but also by the very fact that even today in rural areas of Egypt there are women called Kodia who still preside over pre-Islamic and pre-Christian rites such as the zar ritual.
It's unfortunate that even our understanding of the state cults is limited to only a few texts like the Book of Gates (Book of the Dead) and several others. Most of the written works of the priesthood was either lost or destroyed. I'm certain all other practices and doctrines were passed down orally as they are in many religious systems such as sacred hymns sung by Jewish and Hindu priests. Only a few traces remain here and there in the Coptic Church. The problem is much worse for the local cults whom we have even less information on. The only thing that can be gleaned about the ancient rituals of the local communities can be found among the modern rituals of the Kodia yet these practices are poorly documented and more academic attention is needed.