The Ancient Egyptian Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book The Ancient Egyptian Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul by Alfred Wiedemann, Books on Demand
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Alfred Wiedemann ISBN: 9783748102595
Publisher: Books on Demand Publication: March 19, 2019
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Alfred Wiedemann
ISBN: 9783748102595
Publisher: Books on Demand
Publication: March 19, 2019
Imprint:
Language: English

IN writing this treatise my object has been to give a clear exposition of the most important shape which the doctrine of immortality assumed in Egypt. This particular form of the doctrine was only one of many different ones that were held. The latter, however, were but occasional manifestations, whereas the system here treated of was the popular belief among all classes of the Egyptian people, from early to Coptic times. By far the greater part of the religious papyri and tomb texts and of the inscriptions of funerary stelæ are devoted to it; the symbolism of nearly all the amulets is connected with it; it was bound up with the practice of mummifying the dead; and it centred in the person of Osiris, the most popular of all the gods of Egypt. Even in Pyramid times Osiris had already attained pre-eminence; he maintained this position throughout the whole duration of Egyptian national life, and even survived its fall. From the fourth century B.C. he, together with his companion deities, entered into the religious life of the Greeks; and homage was paid to him by imperial Rome. Throughout the length and breadth of the Roman Empire, even to the remotest provinces of the Danube and the Rhine, altars were raised to him, to his wife Isis, and to his son Harpocrates; and wherever his worship spread, it carried with it that doctrine of immortality which was associated with his name. This Osirian doctrine influenced the systems of Greek philosophers; it made itself felt in the teachings of the Gnostics; we find traces of it in the writings of Christian apologists and the older fathers of the Church, and through their agency it has affected the thoughts and opinions of our own time.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

IN writing this treatise my object has been to give a clear exposition of the most important shape which the doctrine of immortality assumed in Egypt. This particular form of the doctrine was only one of many different ones that were held. The latter, however, were but occasional manifestations, whereas the system here treated of was the popular belief among all classes of the Egyptian people, from early to Coptic times. By far the greater part of the religious papyri and tomb texts and of the inscriptions of funerary stelæ are devoted to it; the symbolism of nearly all the amulets is connected with it; it was bound up with the practice of mummifying the dead; and it centred in the person of Osiris, the most popular of all the gods of Egypt. Even in Pyramid times Osiris had already attained pre-eminence; he maintained this position throughout the whole duration of Egyptian national life, and even survived its fall. From the fourth century B.C. he, together with his companion deities, entered into the religious life of the Greeks; and homage was paid to him by imperial Rome. Throughout the length and breadth of the Roman Empire, even to the remotest provinces of the Danube and the Rhine, altars were raised to him, to his wife Isis, and to his son Harpocrates; and wherever his worship spread, it carried with it that doctrine of immortality which was associated with his name. This Osirian doctrine influenced the systems of Greek philosophers; it made itself felt in the teachings of the Gnostics; we find traces of it in the writings of Christian apologists and the older fathers of the Church, and through their agency it has affected the thoughts and opinions of our own time.

More books from Books on Demand

Cover of the book Reiki II. Grad - Okuden by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Eine (Land-)Scholle zum Glücklich sein (Teil 3) by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Reisfelder by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Der goldne Topf by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Der Krieg der Welten by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Tell Me a Story by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Wörterbuch A2 Deutsch-Tigrigna-Englisch by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Neu im Betriebsrat. Und jetzt? by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Kurts Kurzgeschichten Band II by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Magic and Religion by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Devil Worship in France by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Hurghada direkt by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Was die Wissenschaft übersehen hat by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Schwesterherz by Alfred Wiedemann
Cover of the book Goethes Atem by Alfred Wiedemann
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy