Civilization of Ancient Egypt
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In the modern world, at least since the Age of Enlightenment, people have been fascinated by the glory of the civilization of Ancient Egypt. Their fascination usually stems from museum exhibitions, and the treasures they marvel at are artistic representations from a civilization that triumphed over 4,000 years ago. The artwork that has lasted these thousands of years is usually a special type. Rather than dealing with personal glorification, a large portion of the Egyptian art that has been preserved focuses on the religious aspects of that society, and the hopes of an after-life. Just as important, however, is the Nile river. Like in ancient times, the Nile symbolizes both life and death for Egypt, and figures prominently in both ancient and modern art and religious thought, even though they are dissimilar in ideology. This is important, because it allows the modern historian to trace a particular development within the social milieu of a societal organization (Baines 4-8). This paper will focus on the religious beliefs and views of death that have been recorded and preserved in the art of the Ancient Egyptians. It will begin with a short overview of Egyptian Civilization, turn to an analysis of Ancient Egyptian religion and views on death, and conclude with an assessment of Egyptian art, and the role that art played in the religiosity of the ancients. The ancient history of Egypt is usually divided into six major eras: The archaic period (3100-2770 BC), the Old
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wers ruled the entire universe, continually doing battle for supremacy (Sayce 127-142).
During the Old Kingdom, Egyptian religion was dominated by the worship of Re. It served as an official religion whose chief function was to give immortality to the state and to the collective population of the country. The Pharaoh was the living representative of Re on earth. Re was also the god of righteousness, justice, and truth, and the deity who insured that the universe would operate in a moral, ordered, fashion. He offered no spiritual blessings or material rewards to his worshipers, and this religion was never intended to be the religion of the masses, except insofar as the way they interacted with the state (Sayce 127-142).
Another important cult was that of Osiris, which began its existence as a nature religion. This god personified the growth of vegetation and the life-giving powers of the Nile. Elaborate legends were woven around Osiris, probably symbolizing the death and resurrection of the Nile in its alternate flood and recession. However, later, the human qualities of rebirth became even more important in the cult of Osiris, and a great deal of energy, time, and elaborate artistic endeavors were used in the attempt to
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1921
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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