The afterlife and death and mourning Flashcards
Why is the Egyptians obsession with life after death so useful for us as historians?
The Egyptians obsession with the after life is useful for us as historians, as it connects life on Earth with the afterlife, and most of the information from ancient Egypt comes from tombs, and we can use information as sources.
What did the deceased have to do to access the afterlife?
The dead person had to cross a wide river, then chant secret spells to get through seven gates guarded by secret monsters, whilst looking out for traps set by evil gods or traps set by crocodiles or venomous snakes. Then the dead person’s heart was weighed on a scale against a feather to see if it was “heavy with sin” and 42 God’s decided the outcome.
What is the significance of the book of the dead?
The book of the dead is a collection of magical spells that Egyptians used to guide people into the afterlife.
What are the negative confessions when trying to reach the afterlife, and who makes them?
The are sins that you haven’t committed in your life/ a declaration of innocence made by the deceased.
Who are the confessions said to?
The confessions are said to the 42 Gods.
What does the book of the dead have to do with the negative confessions?
It contains the names of the 42 professor God’s (who to confess the negative confessions to)
What does A’aru mean?
A’aru is the correct term used by Egyptians that means the afterlife. They believed that death was not the end of life, but a transition to another part of one’s eternal journey.
What is mourning?
The act of grieving of sorrowing.
What is a vizier?
A vizier in ancient Egypt was the most important assistant to the pharaoh, and the most powerful position after the pharaoh. Vizier’s helped influence and supervise the running of the country and implemented the pharaoh’s policies. Vizier’s were responsible for various government agencies like agricultural, financial, judicial, military, architectural, interior and religious.
Who is Ramose?
Ramose served as a vizier and lived and worked from the Egyptian city of Thebes during its 18th dynasty. He left behind an incredible tomb and today, the famous paintings of Ramose’s tomb help historians to understand the ancient Egyptian culture, particularly on the subjects of death and the grieving process in ancient Egypt.
What would some of Ramose’s duties have been?
Vizier’s were responsible for various government agencies like agricultural, financial, judicial, military, architectural, interior and religious.
What would be returned to Ramose when he was transported to A’aru.
Everything lost at the dead was said to be returned there.
What is a tomb?
A Tomb is an enclosed space for the repository of the remains of the dead, traditionally located in caves, underground, or in structures designed specifically for the purpose of containing the remains of deceased human beings and their possessions.
What were tombs like in ancient Egypt?
The most elaborate tombs built by Eyptians were those built by
How do religious beliefs shape life or death in Egypt?
Egyptians believed that even after death their spirit and soul could live on. Death was an important concept to them and was more than just life on earth, but also the afterlife. They had strong beliefs about mourning and those who have died, and honouring them even while they are in the afterlife. It was important to them that they were well missed and mourned, even while in the Field of Reeds.
