The Gods of Ancient Egypt (Hardcover)

by Pascal Vernus (Author), Erich Lessing (Photographer), Jane Marie Todd (Translator)
Key Phrases: pharaonic civilization, funerary beliefs, funerary displays, New Kingdom, Lower Egypt, Middle Egypt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This volume by the renowned Egyptologist Pascal Vernus captures the very essence of Ancient Egypt-a civilization thoroughly imbued by the inspirational and multiform presence of the divine. Accompanying by 110 color photographs of treasures of Egyptian art and architecture, as well as impressive aerial views of the surrounding landscapes, Vernus's exploration of Egyptian divinity reveals the central role that religion played in Egyptian life and culture.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: George Braziller; 1st edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807614351
• ISBN-13: 978-0807614358
• Product Dimensions: 13 x 10.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,096,472 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars review of The Gods of Ancient Egypt, by Lane Banks, May 24, 2000

By	Lane Banks (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A scholarly text combined with lots of full color photographs make this book challenging and enlightening.

The myriad pantheon of the gods and godesses of ancient Egypt are discussed and analyzed. This is not just a simple glossary of names, pictures and attributes, although a short glossary is included in the back. The origins of the deities are revealed, as well as the animals with which they are associated, and how the various animal attributes transferred divine power to the gods.

Most of the objects, from temple and tomb excavations, are small, and are divided into everyday and ritual usages. Some monumental sculpture, such as from the great temples at Karnak, are included.

The photographs range in quality from excellent to fair; some of the full spread images are grainy when enlarged, while the brightly colored backgrounds against which the objects are presented are distracting at times.

Buy this book for the well-researched text; there are other books with better photographs.