The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (v. 1-3) [Hardcover]

R.O. Faulkner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0856687545 | ISBN-13: 978-0856687549 | Publication Date: October 1, 2004

This authoritative English translation of the Middle Kingdom Coffin Texts is an essential resource for all Egyptologists. The new edition reprints Faulkner's whole work in one volume. Filling the gap between the Pyramid Texts and the New Kingdom Book of the Dead, these writings were intended to supply the deceased with the speeches he would need to achieve a secure and important position in the next world. As such they supply valuable insights into Egyptian beliefs and mortuary practices. Concise textual notes are kept to a minimum, allowing the character of the texts to be experienced as a whole. Indexes cover divinities, localities, celestial bodies, selected Egyptian words in translation and also the parts of boats and sailing gear that figure prominently in some spells.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 800 pages
• Publisher: Aris & Phillips (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0856687545
• ISBN-13: 978-0856687549
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,291,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT TRANSLATION OF A GREAT FUNERARY CORPUS, November 25, 2000

By 

Robert (Buenos Aires, Capital Federal Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Paperback)

There are not words to praise late Dr. Faulkner for the impressive task he had undetook at translating the 7 volumes of the "editio princeps" of the valuable Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts, like he had already done with the Pyramid Texts in 1969. Anybody interested in ancient Egyptian religion and funerary literature must own a copy of this edition, whether under this "omnibus edition, 3 vols. in 1", or the extended edition in 3 vols. MOreover, a new reprint of the same is badly in need for it is very difficulto to find it at hand. So that you known: if you have the chance, and you are looking for an authoritative, researched and scholarly translation: THIS IS THE TITLE YOU MUST OWN1

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coffin Texts, May 2, 2008

By 

Vaevictis Asmadi (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Paperback)

This review is for the 1977-1978 editions.

This book is a direct translation into English of all of the Middle Kingdom Coffin Texts. These are the religious writings placed in tombs to aid the dead's entry and existence in the afterlife, although a small number contain mythical stories. For a serious student of Egyptology this is an essential resource. Faulkner is conscientious, providing notes to explain corrupted, doubtful, and untranslatable text.

One thing must be kept in mind: this book is not intended for beginners. There is no commentary for the spells, and little explanation for the many names, allusions, and references, which would have made this work very much longer. If you do not have a broad knowledge of Egyptian mythology, most of this material will be confusing.

Other than a commentary, the only feature which would make this book more complete would be a copy of the main diagram from the Book of Two Ways.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bridges the gap., July 29, 2006

By 

M. Kurtz (Yorba Linda, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (v. 1-3) (Hardcover)

This is an essential book by Faulkner, and very convenient by combining three separate volumes into one in this edition. I've finished the Pyramid Texts, Book of the Dead, and the Mythical Origin of the Egyptian Temple by E.A.E. Reymond, which is a cosmogonical overview of the Edfu temple inscriptions. This much more follows the form of the Pyramid Text writing style, and fills in many gaps about their religion. Any Egyptologist would benefit from the read, which will take a while.