Egyptian Magic

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EGYPTIANMAGIC
byE.A.WALLISBUDGE
LATEKEEPEROFTHEEGYPTIANANDASSYRIANANTIQUITIESIN
THEBRITISHMUSEUM
Kegan,Paul,TrenchandTrbner&Co.,London
[1901]
Scannedatsacredtexts.com,April2002,RedactedbyJ.B.Hare.This
textisinthepublicdomain.Thesefilesmaybeusedforanynon
commercialpurpose,providedthisnoticeofattributionisleftintact.
p.iii
to
SIRJ.NORMANLOCKYER,K.C.B.,F.R.S.,
ETC.,ETC,ETC.,
ATOKENOFESTEEMFORAGREATASTRONOMER,
AND
AMARKOFTRUEREGARDFOR
AFRIEND.
Next:Preface
p.vii
http://sacredtexts.com/egy/ema/index.htm
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PREFACE.
ASTUDYoftheremainsofthenativereligiousliteratureofancient
Egyptwhichhavecomedowntoushasrevealedthefactthatthebelief
inmagic,thatistosay,inthepowerofmagicalnames,andspells,and
enchantments,andformul,andpictures,andfigures,andamulets,
andintheperformanceofceremoniesaccompaniedbytheutteranceof
wordsofpower,toproducesupernaturalresults,formedalargeand
importantpartoftheEgyptianreligion.Anditiscertainthat,
notwithstandingthecontinuousprogresswhichtheEgyptiansmadein
civilization,andthehighintellectualdevelopmenttowhichthey
eventuallyattained,thisbeliefinfluencedtheirmindsand,fromthe
earliesttothelatestperiodoftheirhistory,shapedtheirviews
concerningthingstemporalaswellasspiritualinamannerwhich,at
thisstageinthehistoryoftheworld,isverydifficulttounderstand.
Thescrupulouscarewithwhichtheyperformedtheir
p.viii
innumerablereligiousceremonies,andcarriedouttheruleswhichthey
hadformulatedconcerningtheworshipofthedivinePowerorpowers,
andtheirdevotiontoreligiousmagic,gainedforthemamongthe
nationswithwhomtheycameincontactthereputationofbeingat
oncethemostreligiousandthemostsuperstitiousofmen.Thatthis
reputationwas,onthewhole,welldeserved,istheobjectofthislittle
booktoshew.
Egyptianmagicdatesfromthetimewhenthepredynasticand
prehistoricdwellersinEgyptbelievedthattheearth,andthe
underworld,andtheair,andtheskywerepeopledwithcountless
beings,visibleandinvisible,whichwereheldtobefriendlyor
unfriendlytomanaccordingastheoperationsofnature,whichthey
weresupposedtodirect,werefavourableorunfavourabletohim.In
natureandattributesthesebeingswerethoughtbyprimitivemanto
closelyresemblehimselfandtopossessallhumanpassions,and
emotions,andweaknesses,anddefectsandthechiefobjectofmagic
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wastogivemanthepreeminenceoversuchbeings.Thefavourofthe
beingswhowereplacableandfriendlytomanmightbeobtainedby
meansofgiftsandofferings,butthecessationofhostilitiesonthepart
ofthosethatwereimplacableandunfriendlycouldonlybeobtainedby
wheedling,and
p.ix
cajolery,andflattery,orbymakinguseofanamulet,orsecretname,
ormagicalformula,orfigure,orpicturewhichhadtheeffectof
bringingtotheaidofthemortalwhopossesseditthepowerofabeing
thatwasmightierthanthefoewhothreatenedtodoeviltohim.The
magicofmostearlynationsaimedatcausingthetransferenceofpower
fromasupernaturalbeingtoman,wherebyhewastobeenabledto
obtainsuperhumanresultsandtobecomeforatimeasmightyasthe
originalpossessorofthepowerbuttheobjectofEgyptianmagicwas
toendowmanwiththemeansofcompellingbothfriendlyandhostile
powers,nay,atalatertime,evenGodHimself,todowhathewished,
whetherthewerewillingornot.Thebeliefinmagic,thewordbeing
usedinitsbestsense,isolderinEgyptthanthebeliefinGod,anditis
certainthataverylargenumberoftheEgyptianreligiousceremonies,
whichwereperformedinlatertimesasanintegralpartofahighly
spiritualworship,hadtheirorigininsuperstitiouscustomswhichdate
fromaperiodwhenGod,underanynameorinanyform,was
unconceivedinthemindsoftheEgyptians.Indeeditisprobablethat
eventheuseofthesignwhichrepresentsanaxe,andwhichstandsthe
hieroglyphiccharacterbothforGodand"god,"indicatesthatthis
weaponand.toolwasemployedinthe
p.x
performanceofsomeceremonyconnectedwithreligiousmagicin
prehistoric,oratanyrateinpredynastictimes,whenitinsome
mysteriouswaysymbolizedthepresenceofasupremePower.Butbe
thisasitmay,itisquitecertainthatmagicandreligiondevelopedand
flourishedsidebysideinEgyptthroughoutallperiodsofherhistory,
andthatanyinvestigationwhichwemaymakeoftheonenecessarily
includesanexaminationoftheother.
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FromthereligiousbooksofancientEgyptwelearnthatthepower
possessedbyapriestormanwhowasskilledintheknowledgeand
workingofmagicwasbelievedtobealmostboundless.By
pronouncingcertainwordsornamesofpowerinthepropermanner
andinthepropertoneofvoicehecouldhealthesick,andcastoutthe
evilspiritswhichcausedpainandsufferinginthosewhowere
diseased,andrestorethedeadtolife,andbestowuponthedeadman
thepowertotransformthecorruptibleintoanincorruptiblebody,
whereinthesoulmightlivetoalleternity.Hiswordsenabledhuman
beingstoassumediversformsatwill,andtoprojecttheirsoulsinto
animalsandothercreaturesandinobediencetohiscommands,
inanimatefiguresandpicturesbecamelivingbeingsandthingswhich
hastenedtoperformhisbehests.Thepowersofnatureacknowledged
hismight,andwindandrain,
p.xi
stormandtempest,riverandsea,anddiseaseanddeathworkedevil
andruinuponhisfoes,andupontheenemiesofthosewhowere
providedwiththeknowledgeofthewordswhichhehadwrestedfrom
thegodsofheaven,andearth,andtheunderworld.Inanimatenature
likewiseobeyedsuchwordsofpower,andeventheworlditselfcame
intoexistencethroughtheutteranceofawordbyThothbytheir
meanstheearthcouldberentasunder,andthewatersforsakingtheir
naturecouldbepiledupinaheap,andeventhesun'scourseinthe
heavenscouldbestayedbyaword.Nogod,orspirit,ordevil,orfiend,
couldresistwordsofpower,andtheEgyptiansinvokedtheiraidinthe
smallestaswellasinthegreatesteventsoftheirlives.Tohimthatwas
versedinthelorecontainedinthebooksofthe"doublehouseoflife"
thefuturewasaswellknownasthepast,andneithertimenordistance
couldlimittheoperationsofhispowerthemysteriesoflifeanddeath
werelaidbarebeforehim,andhecoulddrawasidetheveilwhichhid
thesecretsoffateanddestinyfromtheknowledgeofordinarymortals.
Nowifviewssuchastheseconcerningthemagician'spowerwereheld
bytheeducatedfolkofancientEgyptthereislittletowonderatwhen
wefindthatbeliefsandsuperstitionsofthemostdegradedcharacter
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flourishedwithrankluxurianceamongthepeasants
p.xii
andworkingclassesofthatcountry,whofailedtounderstandthe
symbolismoftheelaborateceremonieswhichwereperformedinthe
temples,andwhoweretooignoranttodistinguishthespiritual
conceptionswhichlayattheirroottomeetthereligiousneedsofsuch
peoplethemagician,andinlatertimesthepriest,founditnecessaryto
providepageantsandceremonieswhichappealedchieflytothesenses,
andfollowingtheirexample,unscrupulousbutclevermentook
advantageoftheignoranceofthegeneralpublicandpretendedto
knowledgeofthesupernatural,andlaidclaimtothepossessionof
powerovergods,andspirits,anddemons.Suchfalseknowledgeand
powertheysoldformoney,andforpurposesofgainthesocalled
magicianwasreadytofurtheranysordidtransactionorwickedscheme
whichhisdupewishedtocarryout.Thismagicdegeneratedinto
sorcery,anddemonology,andwitcraft,andthosewhodealtinitwere
regardedasassociatesoftheDevil,andservantsofthepowersof
darkness,andworkersofthe"blackart."Inthe"white"and"black"
magicoftheEgyptiansmostofthemagicknownintheothercountries
oftheworldmaybefounditisimpossibleyettosayexactlyhow
muchthebeliefsandreligioussystemsofothernationswere
influencedbythem,butthereisno,doubtthatcertainviewsand
religiousideasofmanyheathenand
p.xiii
Christiansectsmaybetraceddirectlytothem.Manyinterestingproofs
mightbeadducedinsupportofthisstatement,butthelimitsofthis
bookwillnotadmitoftheirbeinggivenhere.
Whenweconsidertheloftyspiritualcharacterofthegreaterpartofthe
Egyptianreligion,andrememberitsgreatantiquity,itishardto
understandwhytheEgyptianscarefullypreservedintheirwritingsand
ceremoniessomuchwhichsavouredofgrossandchildishsuperstition,
andwhichmusthavebeentheproductoftheirpredynasticor
prehistoricancestors,evenduringtheperiodoftheirgreatest
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intellectualenlightenment.Butthefactremainsthattheydidbelievein
OneGodWhowasalmighty,andeternal,andinvisible,Whocreated
theheavens,andtheearth,andallbeingsandthingsthereinandinthe
resurrectionofthebodyinachangedandglorifiedform,whichwould
livetoalleternityinthecompanyofthespiritsandsoulsofthe
righteousinakingdomruledbyabeingwhowasofdivineorigin,but
whohadlivedupontheearth,andhadsufferedacrueldeathatthe
handsofhisenemies,andhadrisenfromthedead,andhadbecomethe
Godandkingoftheworldwhichisbeyondthegraveandthat,
althoughtheybelievedallthesethingsandproclaimedtheirbeliefwith
almostpassionateearnestness,theyseemnevertohavefreed
themselvesfromahankering
p.xiv
afteramuletsandtalismans,andmagicalnames,andwordsofpower,
andseemtohavetrustedinthesetosavetheirsoulsandbodies,both
livinganddead,withsomethingofthesameconfidencewhichthey
placedinthedeathandresurrectionofOsiris.Amatterforsurpriseis
thattheyseemtoseenothingincongruousinsuchamixtureofmagic
andreligion,andthegeneralattitudeofthemindoftheEgyptianon
thepointiswellillustratedbythefollowingfacts.Attachedtothe
serviceofR,theSungod,atThebeswerenumerouscompaniesof
priestswhosedutiesconsistedasmuchinmakingcopiesofreligious
booksandinkeepingalivethe"divinetraditions,"asinministeringto
thegodintheirappointedseasons.Themembersofthesecompanies
whowrotethecopiesoftheBookoftheDeadwhichwereburiedwith
kingsandqueensandpersonagesofroyalorexaltedrankdeclaredthe
powerandomnipotenceofAlmightyGod,Whosevisibleemblemto
mankindwastheSun,andHissovereigntyoverthingscelestialand
thingsterrestrialwithnouncertainvoice,andweshouldexpectthem
tobelievewhattheyproclaimed,i.e.,thatGodwassufficiently
powerfultoprotectHisembleminthesky.YetthepriestsofThebes
madecopiesofworkswhichcontainedtextstoberecitedatspecified
hoursofthedayandnight,andgavedirectionsfortheperformanceof
p.xv
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magicalceremonies,theavowedobjectofsuchbeingtopreventthe
mythicalmonsterpepfromvanquishingtheSungod.Anditisstated
inallseriousnessthatifapieceofpapyrusuponwhichafigureofthe
monsterhasbeendrawn,andawaxfigureofhimbeburntinafire
madeofacertainkindofgrass,andtheprescribedwordsberecited
overthemastheyburn,theSungodwillbedeliveredfrompep,and
thatneitherrain,norcloud,normistshallbeabletopreventhislight
fromfallingupontheearth.Moreover,therubricdescribesthe
performanceoftheceremonyasameritoriousact!
E.A.WALLISBUDGE.
LONDON,
August28th,1899
Next:Contents
p.xvii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
PAGE
I.
ANTIQUITYOFMAGICALPRACTICESINEGYPT
II.
MAGICALSTONESORAMULETS
25
III.
MAGICALFIGURES
65
IV.
MAGICALPICTURESANDFORMUL,SPELLS,ETC.
104
V.
MAGICALNAMES
157
VI.
MAGICALCEREMONIES
182
VII.
DEMONIACALPOSSESSION,DREAMS,GHOSTS,LUCKYANDUNLUCKY
DAYS,HOROSCOPES,PROGNOSTICATIONS,TRANSFORMATIONS,ANDTHE
WORSHIPOFANIMALS
206
p.xix
LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS.
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CHAPTER
II.
PAGE
THEDESTROYEROFHEARTS
31
THEDECEASEDBEINGWEIGHEDAGAINSTHISHEART
35
THEDECEASEDHOLDINGANECKLACEWITHPECTORAL
40
THEMUMMYLYINGINTHEFUNERALCHAMBER
45
THEPRIESTWITHTHE"URHEKAU"INSTRUMENT
60
PTAHSEKERAUSARFIGURE
87
THEFOURCHILDRENOFHORUS
90
III.
IV.
HATHORINTHESYCAMORETREE
105
THEDECEASEDDRINKINGWATERFROMASTREAM
106
THESOULVISITINGTHEMUMMIEDBODY
113
THESOULANDSPIRITOUTSIDETHETOMB
114
THESHADOWANDSOULOUTSIDETHETOMB
115
HYPOCEPHALUSOFSHAIENEN
117
CIPPUSOFHORUS("METTERNICHSTELEI.")
149
CIPPUSOFHORUS("METTERNICHSTELEII.")
153
V.
GREEKAMULETS
178,179
VI.
THECEREMONYOFOPENINGTHEMOUTH
199
VII.
THESTELEWITHTHESTORYOFTHEPRINCESSOFBEKHTEN
209
Next:ChapterI:AntiquityofMagicalPracticesinEgypt
p.1
EGYPTIANMAGIC.
CHAPTERI.
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ANTIQUITYOFMAGICALPRACTICESINEGYPT.
INthefirstvolumeofthisseries1anattemptwasmadetosetbefore
thereaderastatementoftheideasandbeliefswhichtheancient
EgyptiansheldinrespectofGod,the"gods,"theJudgment,the
Resurrection,andImmortalityinshort,tosketchinbriefoutlinemuch
ofwhatwasbeautiful,andnoble,andsublimeintheirreligion.The
factsofthisstatementwerederivedwhollyfromnativereligious
works,thelatestofwhichissomethousandsofyearsold,andthe
earliestofwhichmaybesaidtopossessanantiquityofbetweensix
andseventhousandyearstheextractsquotedinsupportofthe
deductionssetforthinitwereintendedtoenablethereadertojudge
forhimselfastothegeneralaccuracyoftheconclusionstheregiven.
ManywritersontheEgyptianreligionhavesomewhatblinkedthefact
thatithadtwosidesontheoneitcloselyresemblesin
.
p.2
manyrespectstheChristianreligionoftoday,andontheotherthe
religionofmanyofthesectswhichflourishedinthefirstthreeorfour
centuriesofourera,andwhichmaybesaidtohaveheldbeliefswhich
werepartChristianandpartnonChristian.InitsnonChristianaspect
itrepresentsacollectionofideasandsuperstitionswhichbelongtoa
savageorsemisavagestateofexistence,andwhichmaintainedtheir
holdinadegreeuponthemindsoftheEgyptianslongaftertheyhad
advancedtoahighstateofcivilization.Wemaythinkthatsuchideas
andbeliefsarebothchildishandfoolish,butthereisnopossiblereason
fordoubtingthattheywereveryrealthingstothosewhoheldthem,
andwhethertheyarechildishorfoolishorboththeycertainlypassed
intothereligionofthepeopleofEgypt,whereintheygrewand
flourished,andwere,atleastmanyofthem,adoptedbytheEgyptian
convertstoChristianity,orCopts.Referenceismadetotheminthe
bestclassicalworksoftheancientEgyptians,anditismorethan
probablethatfromthemtheyfoundtheirwayintotheliteraturesofthe
othergreatnationsofantiquity,andthroughtheGreeks,Romans,
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Arabs,andothersintothecountriesofEurope.Inthefollowingpages
anattemptwillbemadetoplaceinthereader'shandstheevidenceas
tothemagicalsideoftheEgyptianreligion,whichwouldhavebeen
outofplaceintheformerwork,theobjectofwhichwastodescribe
beliefsofamorespiritualnature.But,as
p.3
inthebookontheEgyptianIdeasoftheFutureLife,thefactshere
givenaredrawnfrompapyriandothernativedocuments,andthe
extractsarequotedfromcompositionswhichwereactuallyemployed
bytheEgyptianstoproducemagicaleffects.
The"magic"oftheEgyptianswasoftwokinds:(1)thatwhichwas
employedforlegitimatepurposesandwiththeideaofbenefitingeither
thelivingorthedead,and(2)thatwhichwasmadeuseofinthe
furtheranceofnefariousplotsandschemesandwasintendedtobring
calamitiesuponthoseagainstwhomitwasdirected.Inthereligious
textsandworksweseehowmagicismadetobethehandmaidenof
religion,andhowitappearsincertainpassagessidebysidewiththe
mostexaltedspiritualconceptionsandtherecanbenodoubtthatthe
chiefobjectofmagicalbooksandceremonieswastobenefitthosewho
hadbysomemeansattainedsufficientknowledgetomakeuseofthem.
ButtheEgyptianswereunfortunateenoughnottobeunderstoodby
manyofthestrangerswhofoundtheirwayintotheircountry,andasa
resultwrongandexaggeratedideasoftheirreligionwerecirculated
amongthesurroundingnations,andthemagicalceremonieswhich
wereperformedattheirfuneralswererepresentedbytheignorant
eitherassillyactsofsuperstitionorastricksofthe"black"art.But
whereasthemagicofeveryothernationoftheancientEastwas
directedentirelyagainstthepowersofdarkness,andwas
p.4
inventedinordertofrustratetheirfelldesignsbyinvokingaclassof
benevolentbeingstotheiraid,theEgyptiansaimedbeingableto
commandtheirgodstoworkforthem,andtocompelthemtoappearat
theirdesire.Thesegreatresultsweretobeobtainedbytheuseof
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certainwordswhich,tobeefficacious,mustbeutteredinapropertone
ofvoicebyadulyqualifiedmansuchwordsmightbewrittenupon
somesubstance,papyrus,preciousstones,andthelike,andwornon
theperson,whentheireffectcouldbetransmittedtoanydistance.As
almosteveryman,woman,andchildinEgyptwhocouldaffordit
woresomesuchcharmortalisman,itisnottobewonderedatthatthe
Egyptianswereataveryearlyperiodregardedasanationof
magiciansandsorcerers.Hebrew,andGreek,andRomanwriters
referredtothemasexpertsintheoccultsciences,andasthepossessors
ofpowerswhichcould,accordingtocircumstances,beemployedtodo
eithergoodorharmtoman.
FromtheHebrewswereceive,incidentally,itistrue,considerable
informationaboutthepowersoftheEgyptianmagician.SaintStephen
boaststhatthegreatlegislatorMoses"waslearnedinallthewisdomof
theEgyptians,"anddeclaresthathe"wasmightyinwordsandin
deeds,"1andtherearenumerousfeaturesinthelifeofthisremarkable
manwhichshewthathewasacquaintedwithmanyofthepracticesof
p.5
Egyptianmagic.Thephrase"mightyinwords"probablymeansthat,
likethegoddessIsis,hewas"strongoftongue"andutteredthewords
ofpowerwhichheknewwithcorrectpronunciation,andhaltednotin
hisspeech,andwasperfectbothingivingthecommandandinsaying
theword.Theturningofaserpentintowhatisapparentlyan
inanimate,woodenstick,1andtheturningofthestickbackintoa
writhingsnake,2arefeatswhichhavebeenperformedintheEastfrom
themostancientperiodandthepowertocontrolanddirectthe
movementsofsuchvenomousreptileswasoneofthethingsofwhich
theEgyptianwasmostproud,andinwhichhewasmostskilful,
alreadyinthetimewhenthepyramidswerebeingbuilt.Butthiswas
bynomeanstheonlyproofwhichMosesgivesthathewasversedin
themagicoftheEgyptians,for,likethesagebaanerandking
Nectanebus,andalltheothermagiciansofEgyptfromtime
immemorial,heandAaronpossessedawonderfulrod3bymeansof
whichtheyworkedtheirwonders.AtthewordofMosesAaronlifted
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uphisrodandsmotethewatersandtheybecamebloodhestretchedit
out
p.6
overthewaters,andfrogsinnumerableappearedwhenthedustwas
smittenbytheroditbecameliceandsoon.Mosessprinkledashes
"towardheaven,"anditbecameboilsandblainsuponmanandbeast
hestretchedouthisrod,andtherewas"hail,andfiremingledwiththe
hail,verygrievous,"andthe"flaxandthebarleywassmitten"he
stretchedouthisrodandthelocustscame,andafterthemthedarkness.
NowMosesdidallthesethings,andbroughtaboutthedeathofthe
firstbornamongtheEgyptiansbythecommandofhisGod,andby
meansofthewordswhichHetoldhimtospeak.Butalthoughweare
toldbytheHebrewwriterthattheEgyptianmagicianscouldnot
imitateallthemiraclesofMoses,itisquitecertainthateveryEgyptian
magicianbelievedthathecouldperformthingsequallymarvellousby
merelyutteringthenameofoneofhisgods,orthroughthewordsof
powerwhichhehadlearnedtoreciteandtherearemanyinstanceson
recordofEgyptianmagiciansutterlydestroyingtheirenemiesbythe
recitalofafewwordspossessedofmagicalpower,and,bythe
performanceofsome,apparently,simpleceremony.1Butonegreat
distinctionmustbemadebetweenthemagicofMosesandthatofthe
Egyptiansamongwhomhelivedtheformerwaswroughtbythe
commandoftheGodoftheHebrews,butthelatterbythegodsof
Egyptatthecommandofman.
p.7
LateroninthehistoryofMoses'dealingswiththeEgyptianswefind
theaccountofhow"hestretchedouthishandoverthesea,andthe
Lordcausedtheseatogobackbyastrongeastwindallthatnight,and
madetheseadryland,andthewatersweredivided.Andthechildren
ofIsraelwentintothemidstoftheseauponthedrygroundandthe
waterswereawalluntothemontheirrighthand,andontheirleft."
WhentheEgyptianshadcomebetweenthetwowallsofwater,by
God'scommandMosesstretchedforthhishandoverthesea,"andthe
seareturnedtohisstrength,"andthe"watersreturned,andcoveredthe
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chariots,andthehorsemen,andallthehostofPharaohthatcameinto
theseaafterthem."1Butthecommandofthewatersoftheseaorriver
wasclaimedbytheEgyptianmagicianlongbeforethetimeofMoses,
aswemayseefromaninterestingstorypreservedintheWestcar
Papyrus.2ThisdocumentwaswrittenintheearlypartoftheXVIIIth
dynasty,aboutB.C.1550butitisclearthatthestoriesinitdatefrom
theEarlyEmpire,andareinfactasoldastheGreatPyramid.The
storyisrelatedtokingKhufu(Cheops)byBaiufRasaneventwhich
happenedinthetimeoftheking'sfather,andasaproofofthe
wonderfulpowersofmagicwhichwerepossessedbythepriest3called
p.8
Tchatchaemnkh.ItseemsthatonacertaindaykingSeneferuwasin
lowspirits,andheappliedtothenoblesofhisroyalhousehold
expectingthattheywouldfindsomemeanswherebyhisheartmightbe
madegladbutastheycoulddonothingtocheeruptheking,hegave
ordersthatthepriestandwriterofbooks,Tchatchaemnkh,should
bebroughtintohispresenceimmediately,andinaccordancewiththe
royalcommandhewasatoncebrought.Whenhehadarrived,
Seneferusaidtohim,"Mybrother,Iturnedtothenoblesofmyroyal
householdseekingforsomemeanswherebyImightcheermyheart,
buttheyhavefoundnothingforme."Thenthepriestmadeanswerand
advisedthekingtobetakehimselftothelakenearthepalace,andtogo
forasailonitinaboatwhichhadbeencomfortablyfurnishedwith
thingsfromtheroyalhouse."For,"saidhe,"theheartofthyMajesty
willrejoiceandbegladwhenthousailestabouthitherandthither,and
dostseethebeautifulthicketswhichareonthelake,andwhenthou
seesttheprettybanksthereofandthebeautifulfieldsthenshallthy
heartfeelhappiness."Henextbeggedthatthekingwouldallowhimto
organizethejourney,andaskedhispermissiontolethimbringtwenty
ebonypaddlesinlaidwithgold,andalsotwentyyoungvirginshaving
beautifulheadsofhairandlovelyformsandshapelylimbs,andtwenty
netswhereinthesevirginsmayarraythemselvesinsteadofintheir
ownordinary
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garments.ThevirginsweretorowandsingtohisMajesty.Tothese
proposalsthekingassented,andwhenallwasreadyhetookhisplace
intheboatwhiletheyoungwomenwererowinghimabouthitherand
thitherthekingwatchedthem,andhisheartbecamereleasedfrom
care.Nowasoneoftheyoungwomenwasrowing,sheentangled
herselfinsomewayinherhair,andoneofherornamentswhichwas
madeof"newturquoise"fellintothewaterandsanksheceasedto
row,andnotherselfonly,butalltheothermaidensceasedtorowalso.
Whenthekingsawthatthemaidenshadceasedfromtheirwork,he
saidtothem,"Willyenotrow?"andtheyreplied,"Ourleaderhas
ceasedtorow."Thenturningtothemaidenwhohaddroppedher
ornamentoverboard,heaskedherwhyshewasnotrowing,whereupon
shetoldhimwhathadhappened.Onthisthekingpromisedthathe
wouldgetbacktheornamentforher.
ThenthekingcommandedthatTchatchaemnkhshouldappear
beforehimatonce,andassoonasthesagehadbeenbroughtintohis
presencehesaidtohim,"OTchatchaemnkh,mybrother,Ihave
doneaccordingtothywords,andtheheartofmyMajestybecameglad
whenIsawhowthemaidensrowed.Butnow,anornamentwhichis
madeofnewturquoiseandbelongethtooneofthemaidenswhorow
hathfallenintothewater,andshehathinconsequencebecomesilent,
andhathceasedtorow,andhathdisturbedthe
p.10
rowingofthoseinhercompany.Isaidtoher,'Whydostthounotrow?'
andshereplied,'Anornament[ofmine]madeofnewturquoisehath
fallenintothewater.'ThenIsaidtoher,'Iwillgetitbackforthee.'"
ThereuponthepriestandwriterofbooksTchatchaemnkhspake
certainwordsofpower(hekau),andhavingthuscausedonesectionof
thewaterofthelaketogoupupontheother,hefoundtheornament
lyinguponapotsherd,andhetookitandgaveittothemaiden.Now
thewaterwastwelvecubitsdeep,butwhenTchatchaemnkhhad
lifteduponesectionofthewaterontotheother,thatportionbecame
fourandtwentycubitsdeep.Themagicianagainutteredcertainwords
ofpower,andthewaterofthelakebecameasithadbeenbeforehe
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hadcausedoneportionofittogoupontotheotherandtheking
preparedafeastforallhisroyalhousehold,andrewardedTchatcha
emnkhwithgiftsofeverykind.Suchisastoryofthepower
possessedbyamagicianinthetimeofkingKhufu(Cheops),who
reignedatthebeginningoftheIVthdynasty,aboutB.C.3800.The
copyofthestorywhichwepossessisolderthantheperiodwhen
Moseslived,andthustherecanbenopossibilityofourseeinginita
distortedversionofthemiracleofthewatersoftheseastandinglike
walls,oneontherighthandandoneontheleftontheotherhand
Moses'miraclemaywellhavesomeconnexionwiththatofTchatcha
emnkh.
p.11
AmongtheGreeksandRomansconsiderablerespectwasentertained,
notonlyforthe"wisdom"oftheEgyptians,butalsoforthepowersof
workingmagicwhichtheyweresupposedtopossess.TheGreek
travellerswhovisitedEgyptbroughtbacktotheirowncountrymuch
informationconcerningitsreligionandcivilization,and,thoughthey
misunderstoodmanythingswhichtheysawandheardthere,someof
thegreatestofthinkersamongtheGreeksregardedthatcountrynot
onlyasthehomeofknowledgeandthesourceofcivilizationandof
thearts,butalsoasthefountainheadofwhathasbeencalled"white
magic,"andthe"blackart."Insomerespectstheyexaggeratedthe
powersofthe,Egyptians,butfrequentlywhentheclassicalwriters
werewellinformedtheyonlyascribedtothemthemagicalknowledge
whichtheEgyptianmagiciansthemselvesclaimedtopossess.A
strikinginstanceofthisisgiveninthesecondbookofthe
MetamorphosesofApuleiuswhere,itwillberemembered,the
followingisnarrated.ThestudentTelephronarrivedonedayat
Larissa,andashewaswanderingaboutinanalmostpenniless
conditionhesawanoldmanstandingonalargeblockofstoneissuing
aproclamationtotheeffectthatanyonewhowouldundertaketo
guardadeadbodyshouldreceiveagoodreward.WhenTelephron
askedifdeadmenwereinthehabitofrunningawaytheoldman
repliedtestilytotheeffectthatthewitchesalloverThessalyused
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totearoffpiecesoffleshfromthefacesofthedeadwiththeirteeth,in
ordertomakemagicalspellsbymeansofthem,andtopreventthis
deadbodiesmustneedsbewatchedatnight.Theyoungmanthen
askedwhathisdutieswouldbeifheundertookthepost,andhewas
toldthathewouldhavetokeepthoroughlyawakeallnight,togaze
fixedlyuponthedeadbody,tolookneithertotherighthandnortothe
left,andnottoclosetheeyeseventowink.Thiswasabsolutely
necessarybecausethewitcheswereabletogetoutoftheirskinsandto
taketheformofabird,ordog,ormouse,andtheircraftinesswassuch
thattheycouldtaketheformsoffliesandcastsleepuponthewatcher.
Ifthewatcherrelaxedhisattentionandthebodybecamemutilatedby
thewitches,thepiecesoffleshtornawaywouldhavetobemadegood
fromthebodyofthewatcherTelephronagreedtoundertaketheduty
foronethousandnummi,andwasledbytheoldmantoahouse,and,
havingbeentakenintotheroomwherethedeadbodywas,founda
manmakingnotesontabletstotheeffectthatnose,eyes,ears,lips,
chin,etc.,wereuntouchedandwhole.Havingbeenprovidedwitha
lampandsomeoilthatnighthebeganhiswatch,andallwentwell,
notwithstandingthathewasgreatlyafraid,untilthedeadofnightwhen
aweaselcameintothechamberandlookedconfidinglyatthewatcher
buthedrovetheanimalwhichwasnodoubtawitchfromtheroom,
andthenfellfast
p.13
asleep.Intheearlymorninghewassuddenlywakenedbythetrumpets
ofthesoldiers,andalmostimmediatelythewidowofthedeadman
cametohimwithsevenwitnesses,andbegantoexaminethebodyto
seeifitwasintactfindingthatnoinjuryhadbeendonetoitshe
orderedherstewardtopayTelephronhisfee,andwassogratefulto
himthatshepromisedtomakehimoneofherhousehold.In
attemptingtoexpresshisthanks,however,hemadeuseofsome
inauspiciouswords,andimmediatelytheservantsofthehousefell
uponhim,andbuffetedhim,andpluckedouthishairbytheroots,and
torehisclothes,andfinallycasthimoutofthehouse.Soonafterwards,
whilstwanderingabout,hesawthefuneralprocessionpassthroughthe
forum,andatthatmomentanoldmanwenttothebier,andwithsobs
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andtearsaccusedthewidowofpoisoninghisnephewsothatshemight
inherithispropertyandmarryherlover.Presentlythemobwhichhad
gatheredtogetherwantedtosetherhouseonfire,andsomepeople
begantostoneherthesmallboysalsothrewstonesather.Whenshe
haddeniedtheaccusation,andhadcalleduponthegodstobe
witnessesofherinnocence,theoldmancriedout,"Let,then,Divine
Providencedecidethetruth,inanswertoherdenial.Behold,the
famousprophetZaclastheEgyptian,dwellethamongus,andhehath
promisedmethatformuchmoneyhewillmakethesoulofthedead
mantoreturnfromtheplaceofdeath
p.14
intheunderworld,andtomakeittodwellinhisbodyagainforashort
time."Withthesewords,heledforwardamandressedinlinen,and
wearingpalmleafsandals,who,likealltheEgyptianpriests,hadhis
headshaved,andhavingkissedhishandsandembracedhislegshe
imploredhimbythestars,andbythegodsoftheunderworld,andby
theislandoftheNile,andbytheInundation,etc.,torestorelifetothe
deadbody,ifonlyforthesmallestpossibletime,sothatthetruthofhis
accusationagainstthewidowmightbeproved.ThusadjuredZaclas
touchedthemouthandthebreastofthedeadmanthreetimeswith
someplant,andhavingturnedhisfacetotheEastandprayed,the
lungsofthecorpsebegantofillwithbreath,andhishearttobeat,and
raisinghisheadandshouldersheaskedwhyhehadbeencalledbackto
life,andthenhebeggedtobeallowedtorestinpeace.Atthismoment
Zaclasaddressedhim,andtellinghimthathehadthepower,through
hisprayers,tocausethefiendstocomeandtorturehim,ordered,him
tomakeknownthemeansbywhichhehaddied.Withagroanhe
repliedthatthewifewhomhehadrecentlymarriedgavehimpoisonto
drink,andthathediedinconsequence.Thewifeatoncecontradicted
thewordsofherhusband,andofthepeoplewhowerestandinground
sometookonesideandsomeanother.Atlengththehusbanddeclared
thathewouldprovethetruthofhisownwords,andpointingto
Telephron,
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whohadattemptedtoguardhisbody,toldthosepresentthatthe
witchesaftermakingmanyattemptstoeludehisvigilancehadcast
deepsleepuponhim.Theynextcalleduponhimselfbyhisname,
whichhappenedtobeTelephron,likethatofhiswatcher,andwhilst
hewasendeavouringfeeblytoobeytheirspells,hiswatcherroseup
unconsciouslyandwalkedabout.Seeingthisthewitchesforcedtheir
wayintotheroomthroughsomeunknownplace,andhavingtakenoff
thenoseandearsofthewatchertheyplacedmodelsofthesemembers
intheirplaces.Thosewhoheardthesewordslookedfixedlyatthe
youngman,whoatonceputuphishandsandtouchedthemembers,
whereuponhisnosecameoffinhishand,andhiscarsslippedthrough
hisfingersontotheground.
Theendofthestorydoesnotconcernus,andsowepassontonote
thattheactoftouchingthemouthwhichZaclasperformedis,of
course,apartoftheceremonyof"openingthemouth"whichisso
oftenreferredtoinreligioustexts,andwasconsideredofextreme
importanceforthewelfareofthedead,1andthatthepowerofbringing
backthedeadtolifewhichApuleiusascribestothepriestormagician
wasactuallyclaimedsomethousandsofyearsbeforeChristbythe
sagesofEgypt,aswemayseefromthefollowingstoryintheWestcar
Papyrus.
AsonofkingKhufu(orCheops,whoreignedabout
p.16
B.C.3800)calledHeruttf,whowasfamousasalearned
manandwhosenameispreservedinthe"BookoftheDead"in
connectionwiththe"discovery"ofcertainChaptersofthatwonderful
compilation,1wasonedaytalkingtohisfather,presumablyonthe
subjectofthepowersofworkingmagicpossessedbytheancients.In
answertosomeremarkbyKhufuhereplied,"Uptothepresentthou
hastonlyheardreportsconcerningthethingswhichthemenofolden
timeknew,andmanknowethnotwhethertheyaretrueornotbutnow
IwillcausethyMajestytoseeasageinthineowntime,andonewho
knoweththeenot."InreplytoKhufu'squestion,"Whoisthisman,O
[paragraphcontinues]
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Heruttf?"theyoungmanreplied,"ItisacertainmancalledTeta,
whodwellethinTetSeneferu,andisonehundredandtenyearsold,
andtothisverydayheeatethfivehundredloavesofbread,andthe
shoulderofanox,andhedrinkethonehundredmeasuresofale.He
knowethhowtofastenonagaintoitsbodyaheadthathathbeencut
offheknowethhowtomakealionfollowhimwhilsthissnareis
trailingonthegroundandheknoweththenumberoftheaptetofthe
sanctuaryofThoth."NowKhufuhadforalongtimepastsoughtout
theaptetofthesanctuaryofThoth,becausehewasanxioustomake
onesimilarforhisown"horizon."Thoughatthepresentitis
impossibletosaywhatthe
p.17
aptetwas,itisquiteclearthatitwasanobjectorinstrumentusedin
connectionwiththeworkingofmagicofsomesort,anditisclearthat
thekingwasasmuchinterestedinthepursuitashissubjects.Inreply
tohisson'swordsKhufutoldhimtogoandbringthesageintohis
presence,andtheroyalbargeorboathavingbeenbrought,Heruttf
setoutfortheplacewherethesagedwelt.Havingsaileduptheriver
somedistanceheandhispartyarrivedatTetSeneferu,andwhenthe
boatshadbeentiedtothequaytheprincesetouttoperformtherestof
theJourney,whichwasoverland,inasortoflittermadeofebony,
whichwasbornebymenbymeansofpolesofsesnetchemwood,
inlaidwithgold.WhenhehadarrivedattheabodeofTeta,thelitter
wassetdownupontheground,andtheprincecameouttogreetthe
sage,whomhefoundlyinguponabasketworkbedormattress,which
hadbeenplacedforhiminthecourtyardofhishouse,whilstone
servantshampooedhishead,andanotherrubbedhisfeet.Aftera
suitablegreetingandreferencetothesage'shonourableconditionhad
beenmade,Heruttftoldhimthathehadcomefromagreatdistance
inordertobringtohimamessagefromKhufuhisfather,andthesage
badehim"Welcome"heartily,andprophesiedthatKhufuwould
greatlyexalthisrank.Thegreetingsended,HeruttfassistedTetato
rise,andtheoldmansetoutforthequayleaninguponthearmofthe
king'sson,
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andwhenhehadarrivedthereheaskedthataboatmightbeprovided
forthetransportofhischildrenandhisbooks.Twoboatswereatonce
preparedandfilledwiththeircomplementofsailors,andTetasailed
downtheNilewithHeruttf,whilehisfamilyfollowed.
AfteratimethepartyarrivedatKhufu'spalace,andHeruttfwent
intothepresenceofhisfather,andreportedtohimthathehadbrought
TetathesageforhimtoseeKhufugaveordersthathewastobe
broughtbeforehimquickly,andhavinggoneforthintothecolonnade
ofthepalace,Tetawasledintohim.Khufusaidtohim,"Howisit,
Teta,thatIhaveneverseenthee?"andthesagereplied,"OPrince,he
whoiscalledcomethandsincethouhastcalledme,behold,hereI
am."Khufusaidtohim,"Isittrue,accordingtowhatisreported,that
thouknowesthowtofastenonagaintoitsbodytheheadwhichhath
beencutoff?"andthesagereplied,"Yea,verily,OmylordthePrince,
Idoknowhowtodothisthing."AndKhufusaid,"Letacaptivewhois
shutupinprisonbebroughttomesothatImayinflicthisdoomupon
him,"butTetamadeanswer,"Nay,mylordthekingletnotthisthing
beperformeduponman,butuponsomecreaturethatbelongethtothe
sacredanimals."Thensomeonebroughttohimagoose,andhaving
cutoffitshead,helaidthebodyofthegooseonthewestsideofthe
colonnade,andtheheadontheeastside.Tetathenstoodupandspake
certainwordsofmagicalpower,
p.19
whereuponthebodybegantomoveandtheheadlikewise,andeach
timethattheymovedtheonecamenearertotheother,untilatlength
theheadmovedtoitsrightplaceonthebird,whichstraightway
cackled.AfterthisTetahadakhetabirdbroughttohim,anduponit
heperformedthesamemiraclewhichhehadwroughtuponthegoose
andtoprovethathehadsimilarpowerovertheanimalcreation,anox
wasbroughttohim,andhavingcutoffitshead,whichfelluponthe
ground,heutteredwordsofmagicalpower,andtheoxstoodupand
livedasbefore.
ThetwostoriesfromtheWestcarPapyrusgivenabovearesufficientto
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provethatalreadyintheIVthdynastytheworkingofmagicwasa
recognizedartamongtheEgyptians,andeverythingwelearnfrom
latertextsindicatesthatitiswellnighimpossibletoimagineatimein
Egyptwhensuchwasnotthecase.Butthe"wisdom"oftheEgyptians
wasoftwokinds,thatistosay,theywerepossessedofthetwokinds
of"wisdom"whichenabledthemtodealwithboththematerialworld
andthespiritualworldthenationsaround,however,confusedthetwo
kinds,andmisunderstoodmattersinconsequence.
OneoftheoldestnamesofEgyptis"Kamt"or"Qemt,"awordwhich
means"black"or"dusky,"anditwasappliedtothecountryonaccount
ofthedarkcolourofthemudwhichformsthelandoneachsideofthe
NiletheChristianEgyptiansorCopts
p.20
transmittedthewordundertheformKhmetotheGreeks,Romans,
Syrians,andArabs.AtaveryearlyperiodtheEgyptianswerefamous
fortheirskillintheworkingofmetalsandintheirattemptsto
transmutethem,and,accordingtoGreekwriters,theyemployed
quicksilverintheprocesseswherebytheyseparatedthemetalsgold
andsilverfromthenativeore.Fromtheseprocessesthereresulteda
"black"powderorsubstancewhichwassupposedtopossessthemost
marvellouspowers,andtocontaininittheindividualitiesofthe
variousmetalsandinittheiractualsubstanceswereincorporated.Ina
mysticalmannerthis"black"powderwasidentifiedwiththebody
whichthegodOsiriswasknowntopossessintheunderworld,andto
bothwereattributedmagicalqualities,andbothwerethoughttobe
sourcesoflifeandpower.Thus,sidebysidewiththegrowthofskillin
performingtheordinary,processesofmetalworking,inEgypt,there
grewupinthatcountrythebeliefthatmagicalpowersexistedinfluxes
andalloysandtheartofmanipulatingthemetals,andtheknowledge
ofthechemistryofthemetalsandoftheirmagicalpowerswere
describedby,thename"Khemeia."thatistosay"thepreparationof
theblackore"(or"powder")whichwasregardedasthetransmutation
ofmetals.TothisnametheArabsaffixedthearticleal,andthuswe
obtainthewordAlKhemeia,orAlchemy,whichwillperpetuate
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p.21
thereputationoftheEgyptiansassuccessfulstudentsbothof"white
magic"andofthe"black"art.
Butinadditiontotheirskillashandicraftsmenandartisansthe
Egyptianswereskilledinliterarycomposition,andintheproductionof
books,especiallyofthatclasswhichrelatedtotheceremonieswhich
wereperformedforthebenefitofthedead.Wehave,unfortunately,no
meansofknowingwhatearlycontemporarypeoplesthoughtofthe
Egyptianfuneralceremonies,butitseemstobecertainthatitwas
chieflybymeansofthesethattheyobtainedtheirreputationasworkers
ofmiracles.Ifbychanceanymembersofadeserttribehadbeen
permittedtobeholdtheceremonieswhichwereperformedwhenthe
kingsforwhomthePyramidshadbeenbuiltwerelaidtorestinthem.,
thestoriesthattheytookbacktotheirkinsmenwouldbereceivedas
sureproofsthattheEgyptianshadthepowertogivelifetothedead,to
animatestatues,andtocommandtheservicesoftheirgodsbythemere
utteranceoftheirnamesaswordsofpower.Thecolumnsof
hieroglyphicswithwhichthewallsofthetombswereoftencovered,
andthefiguresofthegods,paintedorsculptureduponstelor
sarcophagi,wouldstillfurtherimpressthebarbarianfolkwhoalways
regardthewrittenletterandthosewhounderstanditwithgreatawe.
ThefollowingstoryfromMas'd1willillustratetheviewswhichthe
Arabs
p.22
heldconcerningtheinscriptionsandfiguresofgodsinthetemplesof
Egypt.ItseemsthatwhenthearmyofPharaohhadbeendrownedin
theRedSea,thewomenandslavesfearedlesttheyshouldbeattacked
bythekingsofSyriaandtheWestinthisdifficultytheyelecteda
womancalledDalkahastheirqueen,becauseshewaswiseand
prudentandskilledinmagic.Dalkah'sfirstactwastosurroundall
Egyptwithawall,whichsheguardedbymenwhowerestationed
alongitatshortintervals,herobjectbeingasmuchtoprotectherson,
whowasaddictedtothechase,fromtheattacksofwildbeastsas
Egyptfrominvasionbynomadtribesbesidesthissheplacedroundthe
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enclosurefiguresofcrocodilesandotherformidableanimals.During
thecourseofherreignofthirtyyearsshefilledEgyptwithhertemples
andwithfiguresofanimalsshealsomadefiguresofmenintheform
ofthedwellersinthecountriesroundaboutEgypt,andinSyria,andin
theWest,andofthebeastswhichtheyrode.Inthetemplesshe
collectedallthesecretsofnatureandalltheattractingorrepelling
powerswhichwerecontainedinminerals,plants,andanimals.She
performedhersorceriesatthemomentintherevolutionofthecelestial
bodieswhentheywouldbeamenabletoahigherpower.Anditcame
topassthatifanarmysetoutfromanypartofArabiaorSyriato
attackEgypt,thequeenmadethefiguresofitssoldiersandofthe
animals
p.23
whichtheywereridingtodisappearbeneaththeground,andthesame
fateimmediatelyovertookthelivingcreatureswhichtheyrepresented,
wherevertheymightbeontheirjourney,andthedestructionofthe
figuresonsculpturesentailedthedestructionofthehostilehost.In
brief,thelargefiguresofthegodswhichweresculpturedorpaintedon
thewalls,andthehieroglyphicinscriptionswhichaccompaniedthem,
wereconsideredbythosewhocouldneitherunderstandnorreadthem
tobenothingmorenorlessthanmagicalfiguresandformulwhich
wereintendedtoserveastalismans.
ThehistorianMas'dmentions1aninstanceofthepowersofworking
magicpossessedbyacertainJew,whichprovesthatthemagical
practicesoftheEgyptianshadpassedeastwardsandhadfounda
congenialhomeamongtheJewswholivedinandaboutBabylon.This
manwasanativeofthevillageofZurrahinthedistrictofKfa,and
heemployedhistimeinworkingmagic.IntheMosqueatKfa,andin
thepresenceofWaldibnUkbah,heraisedupseveralapparitions,and
madeakingofhugestature,whowasmounteduponahorse,gallop
aboutinthecourtyardoftheMosque.Hethentransformedhimself
intoacamelandwalkeduponaropeandmadethephantomofanass
topassthroughhisbodyand
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finallyhavingslainaman,hecutofftheheadandremoveditfromthe
trunk,andthenbypassinghisswordoverthetwoparts,theyunited
andthemancamealiveagain.Thislastactrecallsthejoiningofthe
headofthedeadgoosetoitsbodyandthecomingbackofthebirdto
lifewhichhasbeendescribedabove.
Wehavenowtodescribebrieflytheprincipalmeansuponwhichthe
Egyptiansreliedforworkingmagic,thatistosay,magicalstonesor
amulets,magicalfigures,magicalpicturesandformul,magical
names,magicalceremonies,etc.,andsuchportionsoftheBookofthe
Deadasbearuponthesesubjectsgenerally.
Footnotes
1:1TheseriesreferredtoisBooksonEgyptandChaldaea,published
byKeganPaul.Budgewroteseveralvolumesintheseries,including
thefirst,mentionedhere,EgyptianReligion.THEPUBLISHER
4:1Actsvii.22.
5:1Exodusvii.10ff.TwoofMoses'opponentswerecalled"Jannes"
and"Jambres"(See2Timothyiii.8).
5:2ThatMoses'rodorserpentshouldswallowuptherodsorserpents
oftheEgyptiansis,ofcourse,tobeexpected,justashismagical
powersaredeclaredtobesuperiortothoseoftheEgyptians.
5:3AninterestingpaperontheuseoftherodbytheEgyptiansand
HebrewswaspublishedbyChabasinAnnalesduMuseGuimet,tom.
i.pp.3548,Paris,1880.
6:1Fordetails,seeChapterIII.(MagicalFigures).
7:1Exodusxiv.2128.
7:2SeeErman,DieMrchendesPapyrusWestcar,Berlin,1890.
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7:3Hewasthechiefkherheb,i.e.,theheadofthepriestswho
officiatedinfuneralceremonies,andreadtheservicefromabook.
15:1SeeChapterVI.(MagicalCeremonies).
16:1ChaptersXXX.,LXIV.,CXXXVII.SeemyChaptersofComing
ForthbyDay(text),pp.97,141,309.
21:1LesPrairiesd'Or(ed.byB.deMeynardandP.deCourteille),
Paris,1863,tom.ii.p.398f.
23:1LesPrairiesd'Or(ed.B.deMeynard),Paris,1865,tom.iv.pp.
266,267.
Next:ChapterII.MagicalStonesorAmulets
p.25
CHAPTERII.
MAGICALSTONESORAMULETS.
"AMULET"isanamegiventoaclassofobjectsandornaments,and
articlesofdressandwearingapparel,madeofvarioussubstances
whichwereemployedbytheEgyptians,andlaterbyothernations,to
protectthehumanbody,eitherlivingordead,frombalefulinfluences,
andfromtheattacksofvisibleandinvisiblefoes.Theword"amulet"is
derivedfromanArabicrootmeaning"tobear,tocarry,"hence
"amulet"is"somethingwhichiscarriedorworn,"andthenameis
appliedbroadlytoanykindoftalismanorornamenttowhich
supernaturalpowersareascribed.Itisnotclearwhethertheamulet
wasintendedfirstofalltoprotectthelivingorthedeadbody,butit
seemsthatitwasoriginallyworntoguarditsownerfromsavage
animalsandfromserpents.Astimewentonthedevelopmentof
religiousideasandbeliefsprogressed,andasaresultnewamulets
representingnewviewswereinventedandtheobjectswhichwere
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abletoprotectthelivingweremade,byaneasytransition
p.26
inthemindsofthosewhoworethem,toprotectthedead.Moreover,as
thepreservationofthecorruptiblebody,withthenumberofits
memberscompleteandintact,wasofthemostvitalimportanceforthe
lifeofthespiritualandincorruptiblebodywhichwasbelievedto
springtherefrom,undertheinfluenceofthenewbeliefsthedeadbody
becameaveritablestorehouseofamulets.Eachmemberwasplaced
underthespecificprotectionofsomeamulet,andanumberofobjects
whichwerebelievedtoprotectthebodygenerallyfromserpents,
worms,mildew,decayandputrefactionwerelaidwithalavishhand
in,andupon,andaboutit,andbetweenthebandageswithwhichitwas
swathed.WhenmeninEgyptbegantolayamuletsontheirdead
cannotbesaid,anditisequallyimpossibletosaywhenthebeliefin
theefficacyofsuchandsuchanamuletsprangintobeingitseems
clear,however,thatcertainamuletsrepresentbeliefsandsuperstitions
sooldthateventheEgyptianswere,attimes,doubtfulabouttheir
originandmeaning.
Amuletsareoftwokinds:(1)thosewhichareinscribedwithmagical
formul,and(2)thosewhicharenot.Intheearliesttimesformulor
prayerswererecitedovertheamuletsthatwerewornbythelivingor
placedonthedeadbypriestsormensetaparttoperformreligious
servicesbythecommunitybutitwasnotinthepowerofeverymanto
employthem,andatacomparativelyearlydatewordsofmagical
p.27
powerandprayerswerecutupontheamulets,whichthusbecame
possessedofatwofoldpower,thatistosay,thepowerwhichwas
thoughttobeinherentinthesubstanceofwhichtheamuletwasmade,
andthatwhichlayinthewordsinscribeduponit.Theearliestnamefor
theformulfounduponamuletsishekau,anditwassonecessaryfor
thedeceasedtobeprovidedwiththesehekau,or"wordsofpower,"
thatintheXVIthCenturyB.C.,andprobablymorethanathousand
yearsearlier,aspecialsection1wasinsertedintheBookoftheDead
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withtheobjectofcausingthemtocometohimfromwhateverplace
theywerein,"swifterthangreyhoundsandquickerthanlight."The
earliestEgyptianamuletsknownarepiecesofgreenschist,ofvarious
shapes,animal.andotherwise,whichwerelaiduponthebreastofthe
deceasedthesearefoundinlargenumbersintheprehistoricor
predynasticgravesatseveralplacesinEgypt.Itismostunlikelythat
theyweremadebytheaboriginalinhabitantsofEgypt,for,
notwithstandingthevariousconjectureswhichhavebeenmadeasto
theirobjectanduse,itisprettycertainthat,asM.J.deMorgansaid,2
they"belongtothecult."Accordingtothiswritertheirusewas
exceedinglywidespreaduntiltheendoftheneolithicperiod,butwith
theadventofthe
p.28
peoplewhomwecallEgyptianstheybecomeveryrare.Inthe
subsequentperiodtheanimalformsdisappear,andtheirplaceistaken
byplaquesofschist,rectangularinshape,uponwhichareinscribed,in
roughoutline,figuresofanimals,etc.Thetheorythattheseobjects
wereintendedaswhetstones,orasslabsuponwhichtorubdown
paint,willnothold,forthereasonswhichM.J.deMorganhasgiven.
Moreover,inthegreenstonescarabwhichwaslaiduponthebreastof
thedeceasedindynastictimes,weprobablyhaveasurvivalofthe
greenschistamuletofpredynastictimesinEgypt,bothasregardsthe
objectwithwhichitwasmadeandthematerial.Butthecustomof
writinghekau,orwordsofpower,uponpapyrusisalmostasoldasthat
ofwritingthemuponstone,andweseefromtheinscriptiononthe
wallsofthecorridorsandchambersofthepyramidofUnas,kingof
EgyptaboutB.C.3300,thata"bookwithwordsofmagicalpower"
wasburiedwithhim.1Elsewhere2wearetoldthatthebookwhich
Teta,kingofEgyptaboutB.C.3266,hadwithhim"hatheffectupon
theheartofthegods"andthereisnodoubtthattheobjectofevery
religioustexteverwrittenontomb,stele,amulet,coffin,papyrus,etc.,
wastobringthegodsunderthepowerofthedeceased,sothathe
mightbeabletocompelthemtodohiswill.
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1.THEAMULETOFTHEHEART,
Theheartwasnotonlytheseatofthepoweroflife,butalsothesource
ofbothgoodandevilthoughtsanditsometimestypifiedthe
conscience.Itwasguardedafterdeathwithspecialcare,andwas
mummifiedseparately,andthen,withthelungs,waspreservedinajar
whichwasplacedundertheprotectionofthegodTuamutef.Its
preservationwasconsideredtobeofsuchimportancethatatext1was
introducedintotheBookoftheDeadatanearlyperiod,withtheview
ofprovidingthedeceasedwithaheartintheplaceofthatwhichhad
beenremovedintheprocessofmummification.Thetextreads:
"MaymyheartbewithmeintheHouseofHearts!Maymybreast2be
withmeintheHouseofHearts!Maymyheartbewithme,andmayit
restthere,orIshallnoteatofthecakesofOsirisontheeasternsideof
theLakeofFlowers,neithershallIhaveaboatwhereintogodownthe
Nile,noranotherwhereintogoup,norshallIbeabletosaildownthe
Nilewiththee.Maymymouth[begiven]tomethatImayspeak
therewith,andmytwolegstowalktherewith,andmytwohandsand
armstooverthrowmyfoe.Maythedoorsofheavenbeopenedunto
memaySeb,theprinceofthegods,openwidehis
p.30
twojawsuntomemayheopenmytwoeyeswhichareblindfolded
mayhecausemetostretchapartmytwolegswhicharebound
togetherandmayAnpu(Anubis)makemythighstobefirmsothatI
maystanduponthem.MaythegoddessSekhetmakemetorisesothat
Imayascendintoheaven,andmaythatwhichIcommandinthe
HouseoftheKaofPtahbedone.Ishallunderstandwithmyheart,I
shallgainthemasteryovermyheart,Ishallgainthemasteryovermy
twohands,Ishallgainthemasteryovermylegs,Ishallhavethe
powertodowhatsoevermyka(i.e.,double)pleaseth.Mysoulshall
notbefetteredtomybodyatthegatesoftheunderworld,butIshall
enterinandcomeforthinpeace."
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Whenthedeceasedhadutteredthesewords,itwasbelievedthathe
wouldatonceobtainthepowerswhichhewishedtopossessinthe
nextworldandwhenhehadgainedthemasteryoverhisheart,the
heart,thedouble,andthesoulhadthepowertogowheretheywished
andtodowhattheypleased.ThementionofthegodPtahandofhis
consortSekhetindicatesthattheChapterwastheworkofthepriestsof
Memphis,andthattheideasembodiedinitareofgreatantiquity.
AccordingtothePapyrusofNekhtuAmen,theamuletoftheheart,
whichisreferredtointheaboveChapter,wastobemadeoflapis
lazuli,andthereisnodoubtthatthisstonewasbelievedto
p.31
possesscertainqualitieswhichwerebeneficialtothosewhoworeit.It
willalsoberememberedthat,accordingtoonetradition,1thetextof
theLXIVthChapteroftheBookoftheDeadwasfoundwrittenin
lettersoflapislazuliinthereignofHesepti,kingofEgyptaboutB.C.
4300,andthewayinwhichthefactismentionedintheRubrictothe
Chapterprovesthatspecialimportancewasattachedtoit.
Neferubenf,apriest,guardinghisheartagainstthedestroyerof
hearts.
(FromNaville,Todtenbuch,vol.I.plate39.)
Butalthoughaheartmightbegiventoamanbymeansoftheabove
Chapter,itwasnecessaryforthedeceasedtotakethegreatestcarethat
itwasnotcarriedofffromhimbyamonster,whowaspartmanand
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partbeast,andwhowentaboutseekingforheartstocarryaway.To
preventsuchacalamitynolessthansevenChaptersoftheBookofthe
Dead(Nos.XXVII.,XXVIII.,XXIX.,XXIXA,XXX.,XXXA,
p.32
andXXXB)werewritten.TheXXVIIthChapterwasconnectedwitha
heartamuletmadeofawhite,semitransparentstone,andreads:
"Hail,yewhocarryawayhearts!Hail,yewhostealhearts,andwho
maketheheartofamantogothroughitstransformationsaccordingto
itsdeeds,letnotwhathehathdoneharmhimbeforeyou!Homageto
you,Oyelordsofeternity,yepossessorsofeverlastingness,takeye
notthisheartofOsiris1intoyourgrasp,andcauseyenotwordsofevil
tospringupagainstitforitistheheartofOsiris,anditbelongethunto
himofmanynames,2themightyonewhosewordsarehislimbs,and
whosendethforthhishearttodwellinhisbody.TheheartofOsirisis
triumphant,anditismadenewbeforethegods:hehathgainedpower
overit,andhehathnotbeenjudgedaccordingtowhathehathdone.
Hehathgottenpoweroverhisownmembers.Hisheartobeyethhim,
heisthelordthereof,itisinhisbody,anditshallneverfallaway
therefrom.I,Osiris,victoriousinpeace,andtriumphantinthe
beautifulAmentaandonthemountainofeternity,bidthee[Oheart]to
beobedientuntomeintheunderworld."
AnotherChapter(XXIXB)wasconnectedwithaheartamuletmadeof
carnelian,ofwhichsomanyexamplesmaybefoundinlarge
museumsthetext
p.33
reads:"IamtheBennu,1thesoulofR,andtheguideofthegodswho
areintheunderworld.Theirdivinesoulscameforthuponearthtodo
thewilloftheirdoubles,letthereforethesouloftheOsiriscomeforth
todothewillofhisdouble."TheBennuwasalsothesoulofOsiris,
andthustheamuletbroughtwithittheprotectionofbothOsirisand
R.
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ButofalltheChapterswhichrelatedtotheheart,themostpopular
amongtheEgyptianswasthatwhichiscommonlyknownasXXXB,
anditsimportancefromareligiouspointofviewcannotbeoverstated.
TheantiquityoftheChapterisundoubted,foraccordingtothePapyrus
ofNu,2adocumentoftheearlypartoftheXVIIIthdynasty,itdates
fromthetimeofHesepti,kingofEgyptaboutB.C.4300,anditseems
thatitformedapendantorsupplementtotheLXIVthChapter,which
professedtogivethesubstanceofallthe"ChaptersofComingForth
byDay"inasingleChapter.Intherubrictothelongerversionofthe
Chapter,giveninthesamepapyrus,3ChapterXXXBisconnectedwith
Heruttf,thesonofKhufu(Cheops),amanfamedforwisdom,andit
isthereorderedthatthewordsofitberecitedoverahard,greenstone
scarab,whichshallbelaidinthebreastofthedeceasedwheretheheart
wouldordinarilybethisamuletwouldthenperformforhimthe
"openingofthe
p.34
mouth,"1forthewordsoftheChapterwouldbeindeed"wordsof
power."FromrecitingthewordsoftheChapteroverascarabto
engravingthemuponitwasbutastep,andthisstepwastakenasearly
astheIVthdynasty.Thetextisasfollows:
"Myheart,mymothermyheart,mymother!MyheartwherebyI
cameintobeing!Maynaughtstanduptoopposemeat[my]judgment
maytherebenooppositiontomeinthepresenceofthesovereign
princesmaytherebenopartingoftheefrommeinthepresenceof
himthatkeepeththeBalance!Thouartmydouble(ka),thedwellerin
mybody,thegodKhnemuwhoknittethandstrengthenethmylimbs.
Mayestthoucomeforthintotheplaceofhappinesswhitherwego.
MaytheShenit,whoformtheconditionsofthelivesofmen,notmake
mynametostink.Letitbesatisfactoryuntous,andletthelisteningbe
satisfactoryuntous,andlettherebejoyofheartuntousatthe
weighingofwords.Letnotthatwhichisfalsebeutteredagainstme
beforethegreatgod,thelordofAmentet.Verilyhowgreatshaltthou
bewhenthourisestintriumph."
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ItwasthisChapterwhichthedeceasedrecitedwhenhewasinthe
JudgmentHallofOsiris,whilsthisheartwasbeingweighedinthe
Balanceagainstthefeathersymbolicofrightandtruth.Fromcertain
papyriitseemsasiftheabovewordsshould,properly,
p.35
besaidbythedeceasedwhenheisbeingweighedagainsthisown
heart,aconceptionwhichisquitedifferentfromthatofthejudgment
oftheheartbeforethegods.
ThescribeNebsentbeingweighedinabalanceagainsthisheartinthe
presenceofOsiris.
(FromthePapyrusofNebseni,sheet4.)
2.THEAMULETOFTHESCARAB,
Fromwhathasbeensaidaboveitwillbeseenthattheamuletofthe
heart,whichwasconnectedwiththemostimportantandmostpopular
oftheChaptersforprotectingtheheart,wasdirectedtobemadeinthe
formofthescarabataveryearlydate.Wecantracetheideaswhich
theEgyptiansheldaboutthisinsectasfarbackasthetimeofthe
buildingofthePyramids,1andthereisnodoubtthattheyrepresented
beliefswhichevenatthatearlyperiodwereveryold.The
p.36
Egyptianseemstohavereasonedthus:sincethephysicalheartistaken
fromthebodybeforemummification,andthebodyhasneedof
anothertoactasthesourceoflifeandmovementinitsnewlife,
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anothermustbeputinitsplace.Butastoneheart,whethermadeof
lapislazuliorcarnelian,isonlyastoneheartafterall,andeventhough
bymeansofprayersproperlyreciteditpreventsthephysicalheart
frombeingcarriedoffby"thosewhoplunderhearts,"itpossesses
nothingofitselfwhichcanbeturnedtoaccountingivingnewlifeand
beingtothebodyonwhichitlies.Butthescaraborbeetleitself
possessesremarkablepowers,andifafigureofthescarabbemade,
andtheproperwordsofpowerbewrittenuponit,notonlyprotection
ofthedeadphysicalheart,butalsonewlifeandexistencewillbegiven
tohimtowhosebodyitisattached.Moreover,thescarabwasthetype
andsymbolofthegodKhepera,theinvisiblepowerofcreationwhich
propelledthesunacrossthesky.Theparticularbeetlechosenbythe
Egyptianstocopyforamuletsbelongstothefamilyofdungfeeding
Lamellicornswhichliveintropicalcountries.Thespeciesare
generallyofablackhue,butamongstthemaretobefoundsome
adornedwiththerichestmetalliccolours.Aremarkablepeculiarity
existsinthestructureandsituationofthehindlegs,whichareplaced
soneartheextremityofthebody,andsofarfromeachother,astogive
theinsectamost
p.37
extraordinaryappearancewhenwalking.Thispeculiarformationis,
nevertheless,particularlyserviceabletoitspossessorsinrollingthe
ballsofexcrementitiousmatterinwhichtheyenclosetheireggs.These
ballsareatfirstirregularandsoft,but,bydegrees,andduringthe
processofrollingalong,becomeroundedandhardertheyare
propelledbymeansofthehindlegs.Sometimestheseballsareaninch
andahalfortwoinchesindiameter,andinrollingthemalongthe
beetlesstandalmostupontheirbeads,withtheheadsturnedfromthe
balls.Thesemanuvreshavefortheirobjecttheburyingoftheballsin
holes,whichtheinsectshavepreviouslydugfortheirreceptionandit
isuponthedungthusdepositedthatthelarv,whenhatched,feed.It
doesnotappearthatthesebeetleshavetheabilitytodistinguishtheir
ownballs,astheywillseizeuponthosebelongingtoanother,inthe
caseoftheirhavinglosttheirownindeed,itissaidthatseveralof
themoccasionallyassistinrollingthesameball.Themalesaswellas
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thefemalesassistinrollingthepellets.Theyflyduringthehottestpart
oftheday.1
Amongtheancientsseveralcuriousviewswereheldaboutthescarab,
whetherofthetypescarabussacerortheateuchusgyptiorium,2
andlian,Porphyry,
p.38
andHorapollodeclaredthatnofemalescarabexisted.Thelastnamed
writerstatedthatthescarabdenoted"onlybegotten,"becauseitwasa
creatureselfproduced,beingunconceivedbyafemale.Hegoesonto
saythat,havingmadeaballofdung,thebeetlerollsitfromeastto
west,andhavingdugahole,heburiesitinitforeightandtwenty
daysonthetwentyninthdayheopenstheball,andthrowsitintothe
water,andfromitthescarabicomeforth.Thefactthatthescarab
fliesduringthehottestpartofthedaymadetheinsecttobeidentified
withthesun,andtheballofeggstobecomparedtothesunitself.The
unseenpowerofGod,mademanifestundertheformofthegod
Khepera,causedthesuntorollacrossthesky,andtheactofrolling
gavetothescarabitsnamekheper,i.e.,"hewhorolls."Thesun
containedthegermsofalllife,andastheinsect'sballcontainedthe
germsoftheyoungscarabsitwasidentifiedalsowiththesunasa
creaturewhichproducedlifeinaspecialway.Now,thegodKhepera
alsorepresentedinertbutlivingmatter,whichwasabouttobegina
courseofexistence,andataveryearlyperiodhewasconsideredtobe
agodoftheresurrectionandsincethescarabwasidentifiedwithhim
thatinsectbecameatoncethesymbolofthegodandthetypeofthe
resurrection.Butthedeadhumanbody,fromoneaspect,containedthe
germoflife,thatistosay,thegermofthespiritualbody,whichwas
calledintobeing
p.39
bymeansoftheprayersthatwererecitedandtheceremoniesthatwere
performedonthedayofthefuneralfromthispointofviewthe
insect'seggballandthedeadbodywereidentical.Now,astheinsect
hadgivenpotentiallifetoitseggsintheball,so,itwasthought,would
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amodelofthescarab,itselfthesymbolofthegodKhepera,alsogive
potentiallifetothedeadbodyuponwhichitwasplaced,always
providedthattheproper"wordsofpower"werefirstsaidoveritor
writtenuponit.Theideaof"life"appearstohaveattacheditselftothe
scarabfromtimeimmemorialinEgyptandtheEasternSdn,forto
thisdaytheinsectisdried,pounded,andmixedwithwater,andthen
drunkbywomenwhobelieveittobeanunfailingspecificforthe
productionoflargefamilies.Inancientdayswhenamanwishedto
driveawaytheeffectsofeverykindofsorceryandincantationshe
mightdosobycuttingofftheheadandwingsofalargebeetle,which
heboiledandlaidinoil.Theheadandwingswerethenwarmedupand
steepedintheoilofthepnentserpent,andwhentheyhadbeenonce
moreboiledthemanwastodrinkthemixture.1
TheamuletofthescarabhasbeenfoundinEgyptinuntoldthousands,
andthevarietiesareexceedinglynumerous.Theyaremadeofgreen
basalt,green
p.40
granite,limestone,greenmarble,bluepaste,blueglass,purple,blue
andgreenglazedporcelain,etc.andthewordsofpowerareusually
cutinoutlineonthebase.Inrareinstances,thescarabhasahuman
faceorhead,andsometimesthebacksareinscribedwithfiguresofthe
boatofR,oftheBennubird,"thesoulofR,"andoftheeyeof
Horus.Thegreenstonescarabsareoftensetingold,andhaveaband
ofgoldacrossand
ThescribeAniholdinganecklacewithpectoral,onwhichisafigure
oftheboatofRcontainingascarab,orbeetle,inthepresenceof
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Anubis,thegodofthedead.(FromthePapyrusofAni,plate15.)
downthebackwherethewingsjoinsometimesthewholebackis
gilded,andsometimesthebaseiscoveredwithaplateofgoldupon
whichthewordsofpowerhavebeenstampedorengraved.
Occasionallythebaseofthescarabismadeintheformofaheart,a
factwhichprovestheclosenessoftherelationshipwhichexisted
betweentheamuletsoftheheartandscarab.Inlatetimes,thatistosay
aboutB.C.1200,
p.41
largefuneralscarabsweresetinpylonshapedpectorals,madeof
porcelainofvariouscolours,uponwhichtheboatoftheSunwaseither
tracedincoloursorworkedinrelief,andthescarabisplacedsoasto
appeartobecarriedintheboatontheleftstandsIsisandontheright
Nephthys.1Theoldestgreenstonefuneralscarabknowntomeisin
theBritishMuseum(No.29,224)itwasfoundatKrnanearThebes
andbelongstotheperiodoftheXIthdynasty,aboutB.C.2600.The
nameofthemanforwhomitwasmade(heappearstohavebeenan
officialoftheTempleofAmen)wastracedonitinlightcolouredpaint
whichwasafterwardsvarnishedthereareno"wordsofpower"onthis
interestingobject.
Whenoncethecustomofburyingscarabswiththebodiesofthedead
becamerecognized,thehabitofwearingthemasornamentsbythe
livingcameintofashion,andasaresultscarabsofalmosteverysort
andkindmaybefoundbythethousandinmanycollections,anditis
probablethatthenumberofvarietiesofthemwasonlylimitedbythe
abilityofthosewhomanufacturedtheminancientdaystoinventnew
sorts.TheuseofthescarabamuletpassedintoWesternAsiaandinto
severalcountrieswhichlayontheMediterranean,andthosewhowore
itseemtohaveattachedtoitmuchthesameideaasitsearlyinventors,
the
p.42
Egyptians.FromaGreekmagicalpapyrustranslatedbyGoodwin1we
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mayseethatcertainsolemnceremonieswereperformedoverascarab
beforeitwasworn,evenintheperiodoftheruleoftheGreeksand
Romans.Thusaboutthe"ringofHorus"andthe"ceremonyofthe
beetle"wearetoldtotakeabeetle,sculpturedasdescribedbelow,and
toplaceitonapapertable,andunderthetablethereshallbeapure
linenclothunderitputsomeolivewood,andsetonthemiddleofthe
tableasmallcenserwhereinmyrrhandkyphishallbeoffered.And
haveathandasmallvesselofchrysoliteintowhichointmentoflilies,
ormyrrh,orcinnamon,shallbeput,andtaketheringandlayitinthe
ointment,havingfirstmadeitpureandclean,andofferitupinthe
censerwithkyphiandmyrrhleavetheringforthreedays,andtakeit
outandputitinasafeplace.Atthecelebrationlettherelienearat
handsomepureloaves,andsuchfruitsasareinseason,andhaving
madeanothersacrificeuponvinesticks,duringthesacrificetakethe
ringoutoftheointment,andanointthyselfwiththeunctionfromit.
Thoushaltanointthyselfearlyinthemorning,andturningtowardsthe
eastshaltpronouncethewordswrittenbelow.Thebeetleshallbe
carvedoutofapreciousemeraldboreitandpassagoldwirethrough
it,andbeneaththebeetlecarvethe
p.43
holyIsis,andhavingconsecrateditasabovewritten,useit.Theproper
daysforthecelebrationwerethe7th,9th,10th,12th,14th,16th,21st,
24th,and25th,fromthebeginningofthemonthonotherdaysabstain.
Thespelltoberecitedbegan,"IamThoth,"theinventorandfounder
ofmedicinesandletters"cometome,thouthatartundertheearth,
riseuptome,thougreatspirit."
3.THEAMULETOFTHEBUCKLE
ThisamuletrepresentsthebuckleofthegirdleofIsis,andisusually
madeofcarnelian,redjasper,redglass,andofothersubstancesofa
redcolouritissometimesmadeofgold,andofsubstancescovered
withgold.ItisalwaysassociatedwiththeCLVIthChapteroftheBook
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oftheDead,whichisfrequentlyinscribeduponit,andwhichreads:
"ThebloodofIsis,andthestrengthofIsis,andthewordsofpowerof
Isisshallbemightytoactaspowerstoprotectthisgreatanddivine
being,andtoguardhimfromhimthatwoulddountohimanything
thatheholdethinabomination."
Butbeforethebucklewasattachedtotheneckofthedeceased,where
therubricorderedittobeplaced,ithadtobedippedinwaterinwhich
nkhamflowershadbeensteepedandwhenthewordsoftheChapter
oftheBucklegivenabovehadbeenrecitedoverit,
p.44
theamuletbroughttothedeceasedtheprotectionofthebloodofIsis,
andofherwordsofpower.Itwillberememberedthatsheraisedthe
deadbodyofOsirisbymeansofherwordsofpower,andthereisa
legendtotheeffectthatshesmotetheSungodRwithseveresickness
bythemagicalpowerwhichshepossessed.Anotherobjectofthe
bucklewastogivethedeceasedaccesstoeveryplaceinthe
underworld,andtoenablehimtohave"onehandtowardsheaven,and
onehandtowardsearth."
4.THEAMULETOFTHETET.
Thisamuletprobablyrepresentsthetreetrunkinwhichthegoddess
Isisconcealedthedeadbodyofherhusband,andthefourcrossbars
indicatethefourcardinalpointsitbecameasymbolofthehighest
religiousimportancetotheEgyptians,andthesettingupoftheTetat
Busiris,whichsymbolizedthereconstitutingofthebodyofOsiris,was
oneofthemostsolemnofalltheceremoniesperformedinconnexion
withtheworshipofOsiris.TheTetrepresentsneitherthemason'stable
noraNilometer,assomehavethought,Itisalwaysassociatedwiththe
CLVthChapteroftheBookoftheDead,whichreads:
"Riseupthou,OOsiris!Thouhastthybackbone,OStillHeart!Thou
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hastthefasteningsofthyneckandback,OStillHeart!Placethou
thyselfupon
p.45
ThemummyofAnithescribe,lyingonabier,attendedbyIsis,
Nephthys,Anubis,thefourchildrenofHorus,theushabtifigure,his
soul,theTET,etc.(FromthePapyrusofAni,plates33,34).
p.47
thybase,Iputwaterbeneaththee,andIbringuntotheeaTetofgold
thatthoumayestrejoicetherein."
Likethebuckle,theTethadtobedippedinthewaterinwhichnkham
flowershadbeensteeped,andlaidupontheneckofthedeceased,to
whomitgavethepowertoreconstitutethebodyandtobecomea
perfectKHU(i.e.,spirit)intheunderworld.Oncoffinstherighthand
ofthedeceasedgraspsthebuckle,andthelefttheTetbotharemade
ofwood,notwithstandingthefactthattherubrictotheChapterofthe
TeorderstheTettobemadeofgold.
5.THEAMULETOFTHEPILLOW,
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Thisamuletisamodelofthepillowwhichisfoundplacedunderthe
neckofthemummyinthecoffin,anditsobjectisto"liftup"andto
protecttheheadofthedeceaseditisusuallymadeofhmatite,andis
inscribedwiththetextoftheCLXVIthChapteroftheBookofthe
Dead,whichreads:
"Thouartliftedup,Osickonethatliestprostrate.Theyliftupthyhead
tothehorizon,thouartraisedup,anddosttriumphbyreasonofwhat
hathbeendoneforthee.Ptahhathoverthrownthineenemies,which
wasorderedtobedoneforthee.ThouartHorus,thesonofHathor,...
whogivestbacktheheadaftertheslaughter.Thyheadshallnotbe
carriedawayfromtheeafter[theslaughter],thyheadshallnever,
neverbecarriedawayfromthee."
p.48
6.THEAMULETOFTHEVULTURE,
ThisamuletwasintendedtocausethepowerofIsisasthe"divine
mother"tobeaprotectionforthedeceased,andwasmadeofgoldin
theformofavulturehoveringintheairwithoutstretchedwingsand
holdingineachtalonthesymbolof"life"
andwasplacedonthe
neckonthedayofthefuneral.WiththisamulettheCLVIIthChapter
oftheBookoftheDeadwasassociated,anditwasorderedbythe
rubrictoittoberecitedoveritthistextreads:
"Isiscomethandhoverethoverthecity,andshegoethaboutseeking
thesecrethabitationsofHorusasheemergethfromhispapyrus
swamps,andsheraisethuphisshoulderwhichisinevilcase.Heis
madeoneofthecompanyinthedivineboat,andthesovereigntyofthe
wholeworldisdecreedforhim.Hehathwarredmightily,andhe
makethhisdeedstoberememberedhehathmadethefearofhimto
existandaweofhimtohaveitsbeing.Hismotherthemightylady,
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protectethhim,andshehathtransferredherpoweruntohim."Thefirst
allusionistothecarewhichIsisshewedforHoruswhenshewas
bringinghimupinthepapyrusswamps,andthesecondtohiscombat
withSet,whomhevanquishedthroughthemightofIsis.
p.49
7.THEAMULETOFTHECOLLAROFGOLD,
Thisamuletwasintendedtogivethedeceasedpowertofreehimself
fromhisswathingsitisorderedbytherubrictotheCLVIIIthChapter
oftheBookoftheDeadtobeplacedonhisneckonthedayofthe
funeral,andtobemadeofgold.ThetextoftheChapterreads:"Omy
father,mybrother,mymotherIsis,Iamunswathed,andIsee.Iam
oneofthosewhoareunswathedandwhoseethegodSeb."This
amuletisveryrare,andappearstohavebeentheexpressionofbeliefs
whichgrewupintheperiodoftheXXVIthdynasty,aboutB.C.550.
8.THEAMULETOFTHEPAPYRUSSCEPTRE,
Thisamuletwasintendedtogivethedeceasedvigourandrenewalof
youthitwasmadeofmotherofemerald,oroflightgreenorblue
porcelain,and,whenthewordsoftheCLIXthChapteroftheBookof
theDeadhadbeenrecitedoverit,itwasplacedonhisneckontheday
ofthefuneral.IntheXXVIthdynastyandlateritseemsasifthe
amuletrepresentedthepowerofIsis,whoderiveditfromherfather,
thehusbandofRenenet,thegoddessofabundantharvestsandfood.At
anearlierperiod,judgingfromthetextoftheCLXthChapter,the
amuletisputbythegod
p.50
Thothintothehandsofthedeceased,whosays,"Itisin
soundstate,andIaminsoundstateitisnotinjured,andIamnot
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injureditisnotwornaway,andIamnotwornaway."
9.THEAMULETOFTHESOUL,
Thisamuletwasmadeofgoldinlaidwithpreciousstonesintheform
ofahumanheadedhawk,and,whenthewordsoftheLXXXIXth
ChapteroftheBookoftheDeadhadbeenrecitedoverit,itwas
directedbytherubrictotheChaptertobeplaceduponthebreastofthe
deceased.Theobjectoftheamuletisapparentfromthetextinwhich
thedeceasedismadetosay,"Hail,thougodAnniu!Hail,thougod
Pehrer,whodwellestinthyhall!Grantthouthatmysoulmaycome
untomefromwheresoeveritmaybe.Ifitwouldtarry,thenletmysoul
bebroughtuntomefromwheresoeveritmaybe....Letmehave
possessionofmysoulandofmyspirit,andletmebetrueofvoice
withthemwheresoevertheymaybe....Hail,yegods,whotowalong
theboatofthelordofmillionsofyears,whobringitabovethe
underworld,andwhomakeittotraveloverNut,whomakesoulsto
enterintotheirspiritualbodies,...grantthatthesouloftheOsiris1
p.51
"maycomeforthbeforethegods,andthatitmaybetrueofvoicewith
youintheeastofthesky,andfollowuntotheplacewhereitwas
yesterday,andenjoytwofoldpeaceinAmentet.Mayitlookuponits
naturalbody,mayitrestuponitsspiritualbody,andmayitsbody
neitherperishnorsuffercorruptionforever!"Thustheamuletofthe
soulwasintendedtoenablethesoulbothtounitewiththemummified
body,andtobewithitsspirit(khu)andspiritualbodyatwill.
10.THEAMULETOFTHELADDER
IntombsoftheAncientandMiddleEmpiressmallobjectsofwood
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andothersubstancesintheformofladdershaveoftenbeenfound,but
thesignificationofthemisnotalwaysapparent.Fromthetexts
inscribeduponthewallsofthecorridorsandchambersofthepyramids
ofUnas,Teta,Pepi,andotherearlykings,itisclearthattheprimitive
Egyptiansbelievedthatthefloorofheaven,whichalsoformedthesky
ofthisworld,wasmadeofanimmenseplateofiron,rectangularin
shape,thefourcornersofwhichresteduponfourpillarswhichserved
tomarkthecardinalpoints.Onthisplateofironlivedthegodsandthe
blesseddead,anditwastheaimofeverygoodEgyptiantogothere
afterdeath.Atcertainsacredspotstheedgeof
p.52
theplatewassonearthetopsofthemountainsthatthedeceasedmight
easilyclamberontoitandsoobtainadmissionintoheaven,butat
othersthedistancebetweenitandtheearthwassogreatthatheneeded
helptoreachit.ThereexistedabeliefthatOsirishimselfexperienced
somedifficultyofgettinguptotheironplate,andthatitwasonlyby
meansoftheladderwhichhisfatherRprovidedthatheatlength
ascendedintoheaven.OnonesideoftheladderstoodR,andonthe
otherstoodHorus,1thesonofIsis,andeachgodassistedOsiristo
mountit.OriginallythetwoguardiansoftheladderwereHorusthe
ElderandSet,andthereareseveralreferencesintheearlytextstothe
helpwhichtheyrenderedtothedeceased,whowas,ofcourse,
identifiedwiththegodOsiris.But,withavieweitherofreminding
thesegodsoftheirsupposedduty,orofcompellingthemtodoit,the
modelofaladderwasoftenplacedonornearthedeadbodyinthe
tomb,andaspecialcompositionwaspreparedwhichhadtheeffectof
makingtheladderbecomethemeansoftheascentofthedeceasedinto
heaven.ThusinthetextwrittenforPepi2thedeceasedismadeto
addresstheladderinthesewords:"Homagetothee,OdivineLadder!
Homagetothee,OLadderofSet!Standthouupright,Odivine
Ladder!Standthouupright,OLadderofSet!Standthouupright,O
LadderofHorus,wherebyOsiris
p.53
cameforthintoheavenwhenhemadeuseofhismagicalpowerupon
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R....ForPepiisthyson,andPepiisHorus,andthouhastgiven
birthuntoPepievenasthouhastgivenbirthuntothegodwhoisthe
lordoftheLadder(i.e.,Horus)andthoushaltgiveuntoPepithe
Ladderofthegod(i.e.,Horus),thoushaltgiveuntohimtheLadderof
thegodSetwherebythisPepishallcomeforthintoheavenwhenhe
shallhavemadeuseofhismagicalpoweruponR.O'thougodof
thosewhosedoubles(kau)passonwards,(whentheEyeofHorus
soarethuponthewingof'ThothontheeastsideofthedivineLadder
(orLadderofGod),Omenwhosebodies[wouldgo]intoheaven,Pepi
istheEyeofHorus,andwhenthe'Eyeturnethitselftoanyplace
whereheis,PepigoethsidebysidewiththeEyeofHorus,andOye
whoarethebrethrenofthegods,rejoiceyethatPepijourneyeth
amongyou.AndthebrethrenofPepiwhoaxethegodsshallbeglad
whentheymeetPepi,evenasHorusisgladwhenhemeetethhisEye.
HehathplacedhisEyebeforehisfatherSeb,andeverygodandevery
spiritstretchethouthishandtowardsPepiwhenhecomethforthinto
heavenfromtheLadder.Pepihathneedneitherto'ploughtheearth,'
norto'collecttheoffering'andhehath(needneithertogototheHall
whichisinAnnu(Heliopolis),nortotheHalloftheMorningwhichis
inAnnuforthatwhichheseethandthatwhichhe
p.54
hearethshallfeedhimandnourishhimwhenheappearethinheaven
fromtheLadder.PepirisethliketheuraeusontheforeheadofSet,and
everygodandeveryspiritstretchethouthishandtoPepionthe
Ladder.Pepihathgatheredtogetherhisbones,behathcollectedhis
flesh,andhehathgonequicklyintoheavenbymeansofthetwo
fingers1ofthegodoftheLadder(i.e.,Horus).Elsewhere2thegods
Khonsu,Sept,etc.,areinvokedtobringtheladdertoPepi,andthe
ladderitselfisadjuredtocomewithitsname,andinanotherplace3we
read,Homagetothee,OthouLadderthatsupportestthegoldenvaseof
theSpiritsofPeandtheSpiritsofNekhen,stretchoutthyhandtothis
Pepi,andlethimtakehisseatbetweenthetwogreatgodswho(carein
theplaceofthisPepitakehimbythehandandleadhimtowards
SekhetHetep(i.e.,theElysianFields),andlethimtakehisseatamong
thestarswhichareinthesky."
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IntheThebanRecensionoftheBookoftheDeadtheimportanceof
theladderisalsoseen,forinChapterCXLIX.4thedeceasedsays,"I
setupaLadderamongthegods,andIamadivinebeingamongthem"
andinChapterCLIII.hesays,"The
p.55
OsirisNushallcomeforthuponyourLadderwhichRhath
madeforhim,andHorusandSetshallgrasphimfirmlybythehand."
Finally,whenthecustomofplacingamodeloftheladderinthetomb
fellintodisuse,thepriestsprovidedforthenecessityofthedeadby
paintingaladderonthepapyrithatwereinscribedwiththetextsfrom
theBookoftheDeadandwereburiedwiththem.1
11.THEAMULETOFTHETWOFINGERS,
Thisamuletisintendedtorepresentthetwofingers,indexandmedius,
whichthegodHorusemployedinhelpinghisfatherOsirisupthe
ladder2intoheaven,ashasbeendescribedaboveitisfoundinthe
interiorofmummiesandisusuallymadeofobsidianorhmatite.
12.THEAMULETOFTHEEYEOFHORUS,
TheEyeofHorusamulet,orUtchat,isoneofthecommonestofall,
anditsuseseemstohavebeenuniversalatallperiods.Itwasmadeof
gold,silver,granite,hmatite,carnelian,lapislazuli,porcelain,wood,
etc.,althoughtherubricofalateChapteroftheBookoftheDead3
directsthattheamulet
p.56
shouldbemadeeitheroflapislazuliorofmakstone.TheUtchatisof
twokinds,onefacingtotheleftandtheothertotheright,andtogether
theyrepresentthetwoeyesofHorus,oneofwhich,accordingtoan
ancienttext,waswhiteandtheotherblackfromanotherpointofview
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oneUtchatrepresentstheSunandtheothertheMoon,orRandOsiris
respectively.Butspeakinggenerally,whentheEgyptiansworethe
Utchatasanamulettheyintendedittobringtothemtheblessingsof
strength,vigour,protection,safety,goodhealth,andthelike,andthey
hadintheirmindstheEyeofHorus,probablythewhiteone,orthe
Sun.InreligioustextstheexpressionmehUtchat,i.e.,the"fillingof
theUtchat,"isoftenused,andfrommanyconsiderationsitisclearthat
wemustunderstandittorefertotheSunatthesummersolsticethus
theamuletseemstohavebeenintendedtobringtoitswearerstrength
andhealthsimilartothatoftheSunattheseasonoftheyearwhenitis
mostpowerful.IntheCLXVIIthChapteroftheBookoftheDeadthe
deceasedismadetosay,"ThegodThothhathbroughttheUtchat,and
hehathmadeittorestafteritdeparted,OR.Itwasgrievously
afflictedbythestorm,butThothmadeittorestafteritdepartedoutof
thestorm.Iamsound,anditissoundIamsound,anditissoundand
Nebseni,thelordofpiety,issound."Toobtainthefullbenefitofthe
Utchatamuletforthedeceaseditwasobligatoryto
p.57
makeoneinlapislazuliandtoplateitwithgold,andthentooffertoit
offeringsatthesummersolsticeanotherhadthentobemadeofjasper
and,ifafterthespecifiedChapter(CXL.)hadbeenrecitedoverit,it
waslaidonanypartofthebodyofthedeceased,hewouldbecomea
godandtakehisplaceintheboatofR.Atthissolsticetwelvealtars1
hadtobelighted,fourforRTemu,fourfortheUtchat,andfourfor
theothergodswhohadbeenmentionedintheChapter.Aninteresting
exampleoftheuseoftheutchatoccursinaGreekspellforthe
discoveryofathiefwrittenaslateastheIVthcenturyofourera.2Init
wearetoldto"taketheherbkhelkbeiandbugloss,pressoutthejuice
andburnthecrushedleavesandmixtheasheswiththejuice.Anoint
andwriteuponawallKhowiththesematerials.Andtakeacommon
pieceofwood,andcutahammeroutofit,andstrikewithituponthe
ear,pronouncingthisspell:'Iadjuretheebytheholynames,render
upthethief,whohascarriedawaysuch[andsuch]athingKhalkhak,
Khalkoum,Khiam,Khar,Khroum,Zbar,Bri,Zbarkom,Khr,Karib,
Pharibou,andbytheterriblenames
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{Greekaeehhhiiiiooooouuuuuuwwwwwww}'"3Followingthesewords
wehaveapictureoftheutchat
p.58
withanarrangementofcertainvowelsoneachsideofitthus:
{Greek
w
uu
iiii
hhhhh
eeeeee
aaaaaaa}
{Greek
a
ee
hhh
iiii
hhhhh
eeeeee
aaaaaaa}
Thespellcontinues,"Renderupthethiefwhohasstolensuch[and
such]athing:aslongasIstriketheearwiththishammer,lettheeyeof
thethiefbesmittenandinflameduntilitbetrayshim.'Sayingthese
wordsstrikewiththehammer."1
13.THEAMULETOF"LIFE,"
(NKH).
Theobjectwhichisrepresentedbythisamuletisunknown,andofall
thesuggestionswhichhavebeenmadeconcerningitnoneismore
unlikelythanthatwhichwouldgiveitaphallicorigin.Whateverit
mayrepresent,itcertainlysymbolizes"life"everygodcarriesit,andit
seems,evenintheearliesttimes,tobeaconventionalrepresentationof
someobjectwhichintheremotestperiodhadbeenusedasan.amulet.
InthePapyrusofAni(2ndedit.,plate2)thenkhrisesfromtheTet,
andthearmswhichprojectfromitsupportthediskofthesunashere
seen.Thisamuletismadeof
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p.59
varioussubstances,andwaschieflyemployedasapendantofa
necklace.
14.THEAMULETNEFER,
Thisamuletsignifies"happiness,goodluck,"etc.,andrepresentsa
musicalinstrumentitwasmadeofcarnelian,redstone,redporcelain,
andthelike,andwasaveryfavouriteformforthependantsof
necklacesandstringsofbeads.
15.THEAMULETOFTHESERPENT'SHEAD,
Thisamuletwasplacedonthedeadbodytokeepitfrombeingbitten
bysnakesintheunderworldortomb.Itismadeofredstone,red
jasper,redpaste,andcarnelian.AsthegoddessIsisisoftentypifiedby
aserpent,andredisacolourpeculiartoher,itseemsasiftheidea
underlyingtheuseofthisamuletwastovanquishthesnakesinthe
tombbymeansofthepowerofthegreatsnakegoddessIsis.This
powerhadbeentransferredtoitbymeansofthewordsofthe
XXXIVthChapteroftheBookoftheDead,whichareofteninscribed
uponit.Thetextreads:"OSerpent!Iamtheflamewhichshinethupon
theOpenerofhundredsofthousandsofyears,andthestandardofthe
godTenpu,"orasotherssay,"thestandardofyoungplantsand
flowers.Departyefromme,forIamthedivineLynx."Some
p.60
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havethoughtthatthesnake'sheadrepresentstheserpentwhich
surmountstheram'sheadontheurhekauinstrumentusedin
performingtheceremonyof"Openingthemouth."1
TheKherhebpriesttouchingthestatueofthedeceasedwiththe
urhekauinstrumenttoeffectthe"openingofthemouth."(Fromthe
PapyrusofAni,plate15)
16.THEAMULETOFTHEMENAT,
ThisamuletwasinuseinEgyptasearlyastheVIthdynasty,andit
waswornorheldorcarriedwiththesistrumbygods,kings,priests,
priestesses,etc.usuallyitisheldinthehand,butitisoftenwornon
theneck.Itsobjectwastobringjoyandhealthtothewearer,andit
wasbelievedtopossessmagicalpropertiesitrepresentednutrition2
and
p.61
strength,andthemightofthemaleandfemaleorgansofgeneration,
mysticallyconsidered,wassupposedtobeunitedtherein.Theamulet
ismadeinbronze,stone,porcelain,andothersubstances,andwhen
laiduponthebodyofthedeadbroughttoitthepoweroflifeand
reproduction.
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17.THEAMULETOFTHESAM,
Thisamuletisprobablyintendedtorepresentanorganofthehuman
body,anditsuseisveryancientitismadeoflapislazuliandother
hardstonesubstances,andinthelateperiodisoftenfoundinthe
swathingsofmummies.Itsprimarymeaningis"union,"andrefersto
animalpleasure.
18.THEAMULETOFTHESHEN,
Thisamuletisintendedtorepresentthesun'sorbit,anditbecamethe
symbolofanundefinedperiodoftime,i.e.,eternityitwaslaidupon
thebodyofthedeadwiththeviewofgivingtoitlifewhichshould
endureaslongasthesunrevolvedinitsorbitintheheavens.Inthe
pictureofthemummychamber1thegoddessesIsisandNephthysare
seenkneelingandrestingtheirhandsonshen.Figuresoftheshenwere
p.62
painteduponstel,coffins,etc.asanamuletitiscommonlymadeof
lapislazuliorcarnelian.Theamuletofthecartouche
hasbeen
supposedtobenothingmorethanshenelongated,butitprobably
referstotheordinarymeaningof
i.e.,"name."
19.THEAMULETOFTHESTEPS,
Thisamuletseemstohavetwomeanings:toliftuptoheaven,andthe
throneofOsiris.Accordingtoonelegend,whenthegodShuwishedto
liftupthegoddessNutfromtheembraceofthegodSeb,sothather
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body,supportedbyherstretchedoutarmsandlegs,mightformthe
sky,hefoundthathewasnottallenoughtodosointhisdifficultyhe
madeuseofaflightofsteps,andhavingmountedtothetopofthesehe
foundhimselfabletoperformhiswork.Inthefourthsectionofthe
ElysianFields1threesuchflightsofstepsaredepicted.IntheXXIInd
ChapteroftheBookoftheDeadthedeceasedpraysthathe"mayhave
aportionwithhimwhoisonthetopofthesteps,"i.e.,Osiris,andin
funeralvignettesthisgodisseenseateduponthetopofaflightof
stepsandholdinghisusualsymbolsofsovereigntyanddominion.The
amuletoftheStepsisusuallymadeofgreenorblueglazedporcelain.
p.63
20.THEAMULETOFTHEFROG,
Thisamuletistypicalofteeminglifeandoftheresurrection.Thefrog
headedgoddessHeqt,thewifeofKhnemu,wasassociatedwiththe
resurrection,andthisamulet,whenlaiduponthebodyofthedead,was
intendedtotransfertoitherpower.Thefrogisoftenrepresentedon
theupperpartoftheGreekandRomanterracottalampswhichare
foundinEgypt,andononeofthemwritteninGreekisthelegend,"I
amtheresurrection."1
Theamuletsdescribedabovearethosewhicharemostcommonly
foundinthetombsandonmummies,butafewothersarealsoknown,
e.g.,
North,
theWhitecrownoftheSouth,
theRedcrownofthe
thehorizon,orplacewherethesunrises,
typifyingprotection,
thehorns,disk,andplumes,
anangle,
or
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theplummet,etc.Besidesthese,anyring,orpendant,or
ornament,oranyobjectwhatsoever,uponwhichwasinscribedthe
nameofagodorhisemblem,orpicture,becameanamuletwith
protectivepowersanditseemsthatthesepowersremainedactiveas
longasthesubstancelastedandaslongasthename,oremblem,or
picture,wasnot
p.64
erasedfromit.TheuseofamuletswascommoninEgyptfromthe
earliesttimestotheRomanPeriod,andwhentheEgyptiansembraced
Christianity,they,incommonwiththeGnosticsandsemiChristian
sects,importedintotheirnewfaithmanyoftheviewsandbeliefs
whichtheirsocalledheathenancestorshadheld,andwiththemthe
useofthenamesofancientEgyptiangods,andgoddesses,and
demons,andformul,whichtheyemployedinmuchthesamewayas
theywereemployedinthedaysofold.
Footnotes
27:1I.e.,ChapterXXIV.,whichisentitled,"TheChapterofbringing
wordsofpoweruntoOsirisintheunderworld."
27:2EthnographiePrehistorique,p.144.
28:1Unas,ed.Maspero,line584.
28:2Teta,ed.Maspero,line351.
29:1ChapterXXVI.,entitled,"TheChapterofgivingahearttothe
deceased."
29:2Literally,"pericardium."
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31:1SeeChaptersofComingForthbyDay(translation,p.119).
32:1I.e.,thedeceasedwhowasidentifiedwithOsiris,thegodand
judgeofthedead.
32:2I.e.,Thoth.
33:1TheBennubirdisusuallyidentifiedwiththephoenix.
33:2Brit.Mus.,No.10,477,sheet13.
33:3Seesheet21.
34:1SeeChapterVI.(MagicalCeremonies).
35:1KingTetaissaidto"livelikethescarab"(Teta,line89)andinit
issaid,"PepiisthesonoftheScarabwhichisborninHetepetunder
thehairofthenorthernIusas"(Pepi,line422).
37:1SeeJ.O.Westwood,IntroductiontotheModernClassificationof
Insects,London,1839,vol.i.p.204ff.
37:2SeemyMummy,p.233.
39:1SeeJoachim,DasltesteBuchberHeilkunde,Berlin,1800,p.
160.
41:1havegivenasummaryofthechiefvarietiesofthefuneralscarab
inmyPapyrusofAni,London,1895,p.262.
42:1FragmentofaGrcoEgyptianWorkuponMagic(Publications
oftheCambridgeAntiquarianSociety,1852).
50:1I.e.,thedeceased,whoisidentifiedwiththegodOsiris.
52:1Unas,line579.
52:2Line192f.
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54:1Compare,"GivethoutoPepithesetwofingerswhichthouhast
giventoNefert,thedaughterofthegreatgod,asmessengersfrom
heaventoearth"(Pepi,line422).
54:2Pepi,line200.
54:3Pepi,line471.
54:4SeemyChaptersofComingForthbyDay,translation,p.270.
55:1SeethePapyrusofAni,2ndedition,pl.22.
55:2SeePepi,line196.
55:3I.e.,CXL.
57:1Oneforeachmonthoftheyear.
57:2Kenyon,CatalogueofGreekPapyri,p.61.
57:3ThesevenvowelsweresupposedintheGnosticsystemtocontain
allthenamesofGod,andwere,therefore,mostpowerfulwhenusedas
aspell.
58:1SeeGoodwin,FragmentofaGrcoEgyptianworkuponMagic,
p.7.
60:1SeethedescriptionofthisceremonyinChapterVI.
60:2Menatisconnectedwiththerootfromwhichthewordfor"nurse"
(ment)isderivedseethearticlebyLefbure,"LeMenatetleNomde
l'Eunuque"inProc.Soc.Bibl.Arch.,1891,p.333f.
61:1SeePapyrusofAni,2ndedit,plates33,31.
62:1SeePapyrusofAni,2ndedit.,plate35.
63:1SeeLanzone,Dizionario,p.853.
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Next:ChatperIII.MagicalFigures
p.65
CHAPTERIII.
MAGICALFIGURES.
IThasbeensaidabovethatthenameortheemblemorthepictureofa
godordemoncouldbecomeanamuletwithpowertoprotecthimthat
woreit,andthatsuchpowerlastedaslongasthesubstanceofwhichit
wasmadelasted,ifthename,oremblem,orpicturewasnoterased
fromit.ButtheEgyptianswentastepfurtherthanthis,andthey
believedthatitwaspossibletotransmittothefigureofanyman,or
woman,oranimal,orlivingcreature,thesoulofthebeingwhichit
represented,anditsqualitiesandattributes.Thestatueofagodina
templecontainedthespiritofthegodwhichitrepresented,andfrom
timeimmemorialthepeopleofEgyptbelievedthateverystatueand
everyfigurepossessedanindwellingspirit.WhentheChristianized
Egyptiansmadetheirattacksonthe"idolsoftheheathen"theyproved
thattheypossessedthisbelief,fortheyalwaysendeavouredtothrow
downthestatuesofthegodsof
p.66
theGreeksandRomans,knowingthatiftheywereonceshatteredthe
spiritswhichdweltinthemwouldhavenoplacewhereintodwell,and
wouldtherebyberenderedhomelessandpowerless.Itwillbe
rememberedthatitisstatedintheApocryphalGospelsthatwhenthe
VirginMaryandherSonarrivedinEgyptthere"wasamovementand
quakingthroughoutalltheland,andalltheidolsfelldownfromtheir
pedestalsandwerebrokeninpieces."Thenallthepriestsandnobles
wenttoacertainpriestwithwhom"adevilusedtospeakfromoutof
theidol,"andtheyaskedhimthemeaningofthesethingsandwhenhe
hadexplainedtothemthatthefootstepofthesonofthe"secretand
hiddengod"hadfallenuponthelandofEgypt,theyacceptedhis
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counselandmadeafigureofthisgod.TheEgyptiansacknowledged
thatthenewgodwasgreaterthanalltheirgodstogether,andtheywere
quitepreparedtosetupastatueofhimbecausetheybelievedthatinso
doingtheywouldcompelatleastaportionofthespiritofthe"secret
andhiddengod"tocomeanddwellinit.Inthefollowingpageswe
shallendeavourtodescribetheprincipaluseswhichtheEgyptians
madeofthefiguresofgods,andmen,andbeasts,towhichmagical
powershadbeenimpartedbymeansoftheperformanceofcertain
symbolicceremoniesandtherecitalofcertainwordsofpowerand
howtheycouldbeemployedtodobothgoodandevil.
p.67
Oneoftheearliestinstancesoftheuseofamagicalfigureisrelatedin
theWestcarPapyrus,1wherewereadthatPrinceKhfRtoldKhufu
(Cheops)astoryofaneventwhichhadhappenedinthetimeofNebka
orNebkauEd,akingoftheIIIrddynasty,whoreignedaboutB.C.
3830.Itseemsthatthiskingoncepaidavisittooneofhishigh
officialscalledbaaner,whosewifefellviolentlyinlovewithoneof
thesoldiersintheroyaltrain.Thisladysenthertirewomantohimwith
thegiftofachestofclothes,andapparentlyshemadeknowntohim
hermistress'sdesire,forhereturnedwithhertobaaner'shouse.
Therehesawthewifeandmadeanappointmenttomeetherinalittle
housewhichwassituatedonherhusband'sestate,andshegave
instructionstooneofthestewardsofbaanertoprepareitforthe
arrivalofherselfandherlover.Whenallhadbeenmadereadyshe
wenttothehouseandstayedtherethewholedaydrinkingandmaking
lovewiththemanuntilsunsetandwhentheeveninghadcomeherose
upandwentdowntotheriverandthetirewomanbathedhiminthe
waterthereof.Butthesteward,whohadmadereadythehouse,
declaredthathemustmakethematterknownuntohismaster,andon
thefollowingmorningassoonasitwaslight,hewenttobaanerand
relatedtohimeverythingwhichhadhappened.Theofficialmadeno
answertohis
p.68
servant'sreport,butorderedhimtobringhimcertainmaterialsandhis
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boxmadeofebonyandpreciousmetal.Outoftheboxhetooka
quantityofwax,whichwas,nodoubt,keptthereforpurposessimilar
tothattowhichaportionofitwasnowtobeput,andmadeamodelof
acrocodilesevenspanslong,andthenrecitingcertainmagicalwords
overit,hesaid,"Whenthemancomethdowntobatheinmywaters
seizethouhim."Then,turningtothesteward,hegavethewax
crocodiletohimandsaid,"Whentheman,accordingtohisdailywont,
comethdowntowashinthewaterthoushaltcastthecrocodileinafter
him"andthestewardhavingtakenthewaxcrocodilefromhismaster
wenthisway.
Andagainthewifeofbaanerorderedthestewardwhohadchargeof
theestatetomakereadythehousewhichwasinthegarden,"for,"she
said,"behold,Iamcomingtopasssometimetherein."Sothehouse
wasmadereadyandprovidedwithallgoodthings,andshecamewith
themanandpassedsometimewithhimthere.Nowwhentheevening
wascomethemanwentdowntothewatertowashaccordingtohis
dailywont,andthestewardwentdownafterhimandthrewintothe
waterthewaxcrocodile,whichstraightwayturnedintoaliving
crocodilesevencubits(i.e.,abouttwelvefeet)inlength,andseized
uponthemananddraggedhimdowninthewater.
p.69
MeanwhilebaanertarriedwithhiskingNebkauRforsevendays,
andthemanremainedinthedepthsofthewaterandhadnoairto
breathe.Andontheseventhdaybaanerthekherheb1wentoutwith
thekingforawalk,andinvitedHisMajestytocomeandseefor
himselfawonderfulthingwhichhadhappenedtoamaninhisown
dayssothekingwentwithhim.Whentheyhadcometothewater
baaneradjuredthecrocodile,saying,"Bringhithertheman,"andthe
crocodilecameoutofthewaterbringingthemanwithhim.Andwhen
thekingremarkedthatthecrocodilewasahorridlookingmonster,
baanerstoopeddownandtookitupintohishand,whenit
straightwaybecameawaxencrocodileasitwasbefore.Afterthese
thingsbaanerrelatedtothekingwhathadhappenedbetweenhis
wifeandthemanwhomthecrocodilehadbroughtupoutofthewater,
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whereuponthekingsaidtothecrocodile,"Takethatwhichisthineand
begone"andimmediatelythecrocodileseizedthemanandspranginto
thewaterwithhim,anddisappearedinitsdepths.Andbytheroyal
commandbaaner'swifewasseized,andhavingbeenledtothenorth
sideofthepalacewasburnt,andherasheswerecastintothestream.
HerethenwehavealreadyintheIIIrddynastytheexistenceofabelief
thatawaxcrocodile,overwhichcertainwords
p.70
hadbeensaid,couldchangeitselfintoalivingreptileatpleasure,and
thatamancouldbemadebythesamemeanstoliveatthebottomofa
streamforsevendayswithoutair.Wemayalsonoticethatthegreat
priestlyofficial,thekherheb,wassomuchinthehabitofperforming
suchactsofmagicthathekeptinaroomaboxofmaterialsand
instrumentsalwaysreadyforthepurposeand,apparently,neither
himself,norhisking,norhisservant,thoughttheworkingofmagic
inconsistentwithhishighreligiousoffice.
Butatthetimewhenbaanerwasworkingmagicbymeansofwax
figures,probablytotheharmandinjuryofhisenemies,thepriests
weremakingprovisionforthehappinessandwellbeingofthedead
alsobymeansoffiguresmadeofvarioussubstances.Accordingtoone
veryearlybeliefthedeadmadetheirwaytoaregioncalledSekhet
Aaru,wheretheyledalifewhichwasnotverydifferentfromthat
whichtheyhadleduponearth.Fromthepicturesofthisplacewhich
arepaintedoncoffinsoftheXIthdynasty,weseethatitwas
surroundedbystreamsofwater,andthatitwasintersectedbycanals,
andthat,infact,itwasverymuchlikeanordinarywellkeptestatein
theDelta.Thebeingswholivedinthisplace,however,hadthesame
wantsashumanbeings,thatistosay,theyneededbothfoodanddrink,
orbreadcakesandale.Theexistenceofbreadandalepresupposedthe
existenceofwheatandbarley,and
p.71
theproductionofthesepresupposedthetillingofthegroundandthe
workofagriculturallabourers.ButtheEgyptianhadnowishto
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continuethelaboursofploughingandreapingandpreparingthe
groundforthenewcropsintheworldbeyondthegrave,thereforehe
endeavouredtoavoidthisbygettingtheworkdonevicariously.If
wordsofpowersaidoverafigurecouldmakeittodoevil,similarly
wordsofpowersaidoverafigurecouldmakeittodogood.Atfirsta
formula1wascomposed,therecitalofwhichwassupposedtorelieve
thedeceasedfromthenecessityofdoinganyworkwhatsoever,and
whenthedeceasedhimselfhadsaid,"Iliftupthehandofthemanwho
isinactive.IhavecomefromthecityofUnnu(Hermopolis).Iamthe
divineSoulwhichliveth,andIleadwithmetheheartsoftheapes,"his
existencewasthoughttobewithouttoil.But,sincetheinhabitantsof
SekhetAaruneededfoodanddrink,provisionmustbemadefortheir
production,andthenecessarylaboursofthefieldmust,insome
manner,beperformed.Tomeetthedifficultyasmallstonefigureof
thedeceasedwasburiedwithhim,butbeforeitwaslaidinthetomb
thepriestsrecitedoveritthewordsofpowerwhichwouldcauseitto
doforthedeceasedwhateverworkhemightbeadjudgedtoperformin
thekingdomofOsiris,Later,thesewordswereinscribeduponthe
figureinhieroglyphics,andlaterstillthefigurewas
p.72
providedwithrepresentationsoftheropebasket,andplough
,and
flail
,suchaswereemployedbytheEgyptianlabourerin
carryingfieldproduce,andinploughing,andinthreshinggrain.The
formula1orwordsofpowerwhichwereinscribedonsuchfigures
variedatdifferentperiods,butoneoftheoldest,whichwasinusein
theXVIIIthdynasty,makesthedeceasedsaytothefigure,whichwas
called"Shabti":
"OthouShabtifigureofthescribeNebseni,ifIbecalled,orifIbe
adjudgedtodoanyworkwhatsoeverofthelabourswhicharetobe
doneintheunderworldbyamaninhisturnbehold,anyobstacles(or
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opposition)totheewillbedoneawaywiththereletthejudgmentfall
upontheeinsteadofuponmealways,inthematterofsowingthe
fields,offillingthewatercourseswithwater,andofbringingthe
sandsfromtheeasttothewest."Afterthesewordscomestheanswer
bythefigure,"VerilyIam"here,and[willdo]whatsoeverthou
biddestmetodo."TheEgyptiansweremostanxioustoescapethe
laboursoftopdressing2theland,andofsowingtheseed,awork
whichhadtobedonebyamanstandinginwaterinthesun,andthe
toilsometaskofworkingtheshadf,orinstrumentforraisingwater
p.73
fromtheNileandturningitontotheland.Ingravesnotonefigure
onlyisfound,butseveral,anditissaidthatinthetombofSetiI.,king
ofEgyptaboutB.C.1370,nolessthansevenhundredwooden
ushabtiuinscribedwiththeVIthChapteroftheBookoftheDead,and
coveredwithbitumen,werefound.Theuseoftheshabtifigure
continuedunabateddowntotheRomanperiod,whenboxesfullofill
shaped,uninscribedporcelainfigureswereburiedinthetombswith
thedead.
Thenextinstanceworthmentioningoftheuseofmagicalfigureswe
obtainfromtheofficialaccountofaconspiracyagainstRamesesIII.,
kingofEgyptaboutB.C.1200.Itseemsthatanumberofhigh
officials,theOverseeroftheTreasuryincluded,andcertainscribes,
conspiredtogetheragainstthiskingapparentlywiththeviewof
dethroninghim.Theytookintotheircounselsanumberoftheladies
attachedtothecourt(somethinktheybelongedtotheharm),andthe
chiefabodeoftheseladiesbecametheheadquartersofthe
conspirators.Oneofficialwaschargedwith"carryingabroadtheir
wordstotheirmothersandsisterswhoweretheretostirupmenandto
incitemalefactorstodowrongtotheirlord"anotherwaschargedwith
aidingandabettingtheconspiracybymakinghimselfonewiththe
ringleadersanotherwaschargedwithbeingcognizantofthewhole
matter,andwithconcealinghisknowledgeofitanotherwith
p.74
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"givingeartotheconversationheldbythemenconspiringwiththe
womenofthePerkhent,andnotbringingitforwardagainstthem,"
andsoon.TheconspiracysoonextendedfromEgypttoEthiopia,and
amilitaryofficialofhighrankinthatcountrywasdrawnintoitbyhis
sister,whourgedhimto"Incitethementocommitcrime,anddothou
thyselfcometodowrongtothylord"nowthesisterofthisofficial
wasinthePerkhent,andsoshewasabletogiveherbrotherthelatest
informationoftheprogressofthedisaffection.Notcontentwith
endeavouringtodethronethekingbyanuprisingofbothsoldiersand
civilians,Hui,acertainhighofficial,whowastheoverseerofthe
[royal]cattle,bethoughthimofapplyingmagictohelptheirevil
designs,andwiththisobjectinviewhewenttosomeonewhohad
accesstotheking'slibrary,andheobtainedfromhimabook
containingformulofamagicalnature,anddirectionsforworking
magic.Bymeansofthisbookheobtained"divinepower,"andhe
becameabletocastspellsuponfolk.Havinggainedpossessionofthe
bookhenextlookedoutforsomeplacewherehecouldcarryonhis
magicalworkwithoutinterruption,andatlengthfoundone.Herehe
settoworktomakefiguresofmeninwax,andamuletsinscribedwith
wordsofmagicalpowerwhichwouldprovokelove,andthesehe
succeededinintroducingintotheroyalpalacebymeansoftheofficial
Athirmand
p.75
itseemsasifthosewhotookthemintothepalaceandthosewho
receivedthemwereunderthemagicalinfluenceofHui.Itisprobable
thatthelovephiltreswereintendedfortheuseoftheladieswhowere
involvedintheconspiracy,butastotheobjectofthewaxfiguresthere
isnodoubt,fortheywereintendedtoworkharmtotheking.
MeanwhileHuistudiedhismagicalworkwithgreatdiligence,andhe
succeededinfindingefficaciousmeansforcarryingoutallthe
"horriblethingsandallthewickednesseswhichhisheartcould
imagine"thesemeansheemployedinallseriousness,andatlength
committedgreatcrimeswhichwerethehorrorofeverygodand
goddess,andthepunishmentofsuchcrimeswasdeath.Inanother
placeHuiisaccusedofwritingbooksorformulofmagicalwords,
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theeffectofwhichwouldbetodrivemenoutoftheirsenses,andto
striketerrorintothemandofmakinggodsofwaxandfiguresofmen
ofthesamesubstance,whichshouldcausethehumanbeingswhom
theyrepresentedtobecomeparalysedandhelpless.Buttheirefforts
wereinvain,theconspiracywasdiscovered,andthewholematterwas
carefullyinvestigatedbytwosmallcourtsofenquiry,themembersof
whichconsisted,forthemostpart,oftheking'spersonalfriendsthe
king'sorderstothemwerethat"thosewhoareguiltyshalldiebytheir
ownhands,andtellmenothingwhateveraboutit."Thefirstcourt,
whichconsistedofsix
p.76
members,sattoinvestigatetheoffencesofthehusbandsandrelatives
oftheroyalladies,andthoseoftheladiesthemselves,butbeforetheir
businesswasdonethreeofthemwerearrestedbecauseitwasfound
thattheladieshadgainedgreatinfluenceoverthem,thattheyandthe
ladieshadfeastedtogether,andthattheyhadceasedtobe,in
consequence,impartialjudges.Theywereremovedfromtheirtrusted
positionsbeforetheking,andhavingbeenexaminedandtheirguilt
clearlybroughthometothem,theirearsandnoseswerecutoffasa
punishmentandwarningtoothersnottoformfriendshipswiththe
enemiesoftheking.Thesecondcourt,whichconsistedoffive
members,investigatedthecasesofthosewhowerechargedwith
having"stirredupmenandincitedmalefactorstodowrongtotheir
lord,"andhavingfoundthemguiltytheysentencedsixofthemto
death,onebyone,inthefollowingterms:"Pentaura,whoisalso
calledbyanothername.Hewasbroughtuponaccountoftheoffence
whichhehadcommittedinconnexionwithhismotherThiwhenshe
formedaconspiracywiththewomenofthePerkhent,andbecausehe
hadintenttodoeviluntohislord.Hewasbroughtbeforethecourtof
judgesthathemightreceivesentence,andtheyfoundhimguilty,and
dismissedhimtohisowndeath,wherehesuffereddeathbyhisown
hand."ThewretchedmanHui,whomadewaxfiguresandspellswith
theintenttoinflictpain
p.77
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andsufferinganddeathupontheking,wasalsocompelledtocommit
suicide.1
TheabovestoryofthefamousconspiracyagainstRamesesIII.ismost
usefulasprovingthatbooksofmagicexistedintheRoyalLibrary,and
thattheywerenotmeretreatisesonmagicalpractices,butdefinite
workswithdetailedinstructionstothereaderhowtoperformthe
ceremonieswhichwerenecessarytomaketheformulorwordsof
powerefficacious.Wehavenowseenthatwaxfigureswereusedboth
todogoodandtodoharm,fromtheIIIrdtotheXXthdynasty,andthat
theideaswhichtheEgyptiansheldconcerningthemweremuchthe
sameaboutB.C.1200astheyweretwothousandfivehundredyears
earlierwehavealsoseenthatthe,useofushabtiufigures,whichwere
intendedtosetthedeceasedfreefromthenecessityoflabourinthe
worldbeyondthegrave,waswidespread.Thatsuchfigureswereused
inthepredynasticdayswhentheEgyptianswereslowlyemerging
intocivilizationfromastateofsemibarbarismisnottobewondered
at,anditneednotsurpriseusthattheyexistedasasurvivalintheearly
dynastiesbeforethepeoplegenerallyhadrealizedthatthegreat
powersofNature,whichtheydeified,couldnotberuledbymanand
byhispettywordsanddeeds,howevermysteriousandsolemn.Itis,
however,veryremarkabletofind
p.78
thattheuseofwaxfiguresplayedaprominentpartincertainofthe
dailyserviceswhichwereperformedinthetempleofthegodAmen
RatThebes,anditisstillmoreremarkablethattheseserviceswere
performedatatimewhentheEgyptianswererenownedamongthe
nationsofthecivilizedworldfortheirlearningandwisdom.One
companyofpriestsattachedtothetemplewasemployedin
transcribinghymnsandreligiouscompositionsinwhichtheunity,
power,andmightofGodweresetforthinunmistakableterms,andat
thesametimeanothercompanywasengagedinperformingaservice
theobjectofwhichwastofreetheSun,whichwasdeifiedunderthe
formofR,andwasthetypeandsymbolofGoduponearth,fromthe
attacksofamonstercalledpep!
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ItwillberememberedthattheXXXIXthChapteroftheBookofthe
Deadisacompositionwhichwaswrittenwiththeobjectofdefeatinga
certainserpent,towhichmanynamesaregiven,andofdeliveringthe
deceasedfromhisattacks.Initwehaveadescriptionofhowthe
monsterisvanquished,andthedeceasedsaystohim,"Rmakeththee
toturnback,Othouthatarthatefultohimhelookethuponthee,get
theeback.Hepierceththyhead,hecutteththroughthyface,he
divideththyheadatthetwosidesoftheways,anditiscrushedinhis
landthybonesaresmashedinpieces,thymembersarehackedfrom
offthee,andthegodAkerhathcondemnedthee,Opep,
p.79
thouenemyofR.Gettheeback,Fiend,beforethedartsofhisbeams!
Rhathoverthrownthywords,thegodshaveturnedthyface
backwards,theLynxhathtornopenthybreast,theScorpionhathcast
fettersuponthee,andMathathsentforththydestruction.Thegodsof
thesouth,andofthenorth,ofthewest,andoftheeast,havefastened
chainsuponhim,andtheyhavefetteredhimwithfettersthegod
Rekeshathoverthrownhim,andthegodHertithathputhimin
chains."1Theageofthiscompositionisunknown,butitisfound,with
variants,inmanyofthecopiesoftheBookoftheDeadwhichwere
madeintheXVIIIthdynasty.Later,however,theideasinitwere
developed,theworkitselfwasgreatlyenlarged,andatthetimeofthe
Ptolemiesithadbecomeabookcalled"TheBookofOverthrowing
pep,"whichcontainedtwelvechapters.Atthesametimeanother
workbearingthesametitlealsoexisteditwasnotdividedinto
chapters,butitcontainedtwoversionsofthehistoryoftheCreation,
andalistoftheevilnamesofpep,andahymntoR.2Amongthe
chaptersoftheformerworkwasoneentitled,"Chapterofputtingthe
fireuponpep,"whichreads,"Firebeuponthee,pep,thouenemy
ofR!TheEyeofHorusprevailsovertheaccursedsoulandshadeof
pep,andthe
p.80
flameoftheEyeofHorusshallgnawintothatenemyofRandthe
flameoftheEyeofHorusshallconsumealltheenemiesoftheMighty
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God,life!strength!health!bothindeathandinlife.Whenpepis
giventotheflame,"saystherubric,"thoushaltgaythesewordsof
power:Tastethoudeath,Opep,gettheeback,retreat,Oenemyof
R,falldown,berepulsed,getbackandretreat!Ihavedriventhee
back,andIhavecuttheeinpieces.
Rtriumphsoverpep.Tastethoudeath,pep.
Rtriumphsoverpep.Tastethoudeath,pep."
Theselastsentencesweresaidfourtimes,thatistosay,onceforeach
ofthegodsofthecardinalpoints.Thetextcontinues,"Back,Fiend,an
endtothee!ThereforehaveIdrivenflameatthee,andthereforehaveI
madetheetobedestroyed,andthereforehaveIadjudgedtheetoevil.
Anend,anendtothee!Tastethoudeath!Anendtothee!Thoushalt
neverriseagain."Sucharethewordsofpower,andthesearefollowed
bythedirectionsforperformingtheceremony,whichreadthus:
"Ifthouwouldstdestroypep,thoushaltsaythischapteroverafigure
ofpepwhichhathbeendrawningreencolouruponasheetofnew
papyrus,andover
p.81
awaxfigure1ofpepuponwhichhisnamehathbeencutandinlaid
withgreencolourandthoushaltlaythemuponthefiresothatitmay
consumetheenemyofR.Andthoushaltputsuchafigureonthefire
atdawn,andanotheratnoon,andanotherateventidewhenRsetteth
inthelandoflife,andanotheratmidnight,andanotherattheeighth
houroftheday,andanothertowardsevening[andifnecessary]thou
mayestdothuseveryhourduringthedayandthenight,andonthe
daysofthefestivalsandeveryday.Bymeansofthispep,theenemy
ofR,shallbeoverthrownintheshower,forRshallshineandpep
shallindeedbeoverthrown."Andthepapyrusandthefigure"having
beenburntinafiremadeofkhesaugrass,theremainsthereofshallbe
mixedwithexcrementandthrownuponafirethoushaltdothisatthe
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sixthhourofthenight,andatdawnonthefifteenthday[ofthemonth].
Andwhenthefigureofpepisplacedinthefirethoushaltspitupon
himseveraltimeseachhourduringtheday,untiltheshadowturneth
round.Thoushaltdothesethingswhentempestsrageintheeastofthe
skyasRsetteth,inordertopreventthecomingonwardofthestorms.
Thoushaltdothisandso
p.82
preventthecomingofashowerorarainstorm,and"therebyshallthe
sunbemadetoshine."
Inanotherpartofthisbookthereciteristoldtosaythefollowing
"firmlywiththemouth":"Downuponthyface,Opep,enemyof
R!TheflamewhichcomethforthfromtheEyeofHorusadvanceth
againstthee.Thouartthrustdownintotheflameitoffireandit
comethagainstthee.Itsflameisdeadlytothysoul,andtothyspirit,
andtothywordsofpower,andtothybody,andtothyshade.Thelady
offireprevailethoverthee,theflamepierceththysoul,itmakethan
endofthyperson,anditdartethintothyform.TheeyeofHoruswhich
ispowerfulagainstitsenemyhathcasttheedown,itdevoureththee,
thegreatfiretrieththee,theEyeofRprevailethoverthee,theflame
devoureththee,andwhatescapethfromithathnobeing.Getthee
back,forthouartcutasunder,thysoulisshrivelledup,thyaccursed
nameisburiedinoblivion,andsilenceisuponit,andithathfallen[out
ofremembrance].Thouhastcometoanend,thouhastbeendriven
away,andthouartforgotten,forgotten,forgotten,"etc.Tomakethese
wordstobeofeffectthespeakeristoldtowritethenamesofpep
uponanewpapyrusandtoburnitinthefireeitherwhenRisrising,
oratnoon,oratsunset,etc.Inanotherpartofthework,afteraseries
ofcurseswhichareorderedtobesaidoverpep,therubricdirects
thattheyshallberecited
p.83
byapersonwhohathwashedhimselfandisceremoniallyclean,and
whenthishasbeendoneheistowriteingreencolouruponapieceof
newpapyrusthenamesofallthefiendswhoareinthetrainofpep,
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aswellasthoseoftheirfathers,andmothers,andchildren.Hemust
thenmakefiguresofallthesefiendsinwax,andhavinginscribedtheir
namesuponthem,musttiethemupwithblackhair,andthencastthem
onthegroundandkickthemwiththeleftfoot,andpiercethemwitha
stonespearthisdonetheyaretobethrownintothefire.Morethan
onceisitsaid,"Itisgoodforamantorecitethisbookbeforethe
augustgodregularly,"forthedoingofitwasbelievedtogivegreat
power"tohim,bothuponearthandintheunderworld."Finally,after
thenamesofpepareenumerated,bewhowouldbenefitbythe
knowledgeofthemisbiddento"makethefigureofaserpentwithhis
tailinhismouth,andhavingstuckaknifeinhisback,casthimdown
uponthegroundandsay,"'pep,Fiend,Betet.'"Then,inorderto
destroythefiendswhoareinthetrainofpep,otherimagesorfigures
ofthemmustbemadewiththeirhandstiedbehindthemtheseareto
becalled"Childrenofinactivity."Thepapyrusthencontinues,"Make
anotherserpentwiththefaceofacat,andwithaknifestuckinhis
back,andcallit'Hemhem'(Roarer).Makeanotherwiththefaceofa
crocodile,andwithaknifestuckinhisback,andcallit
p.84
'Haunaaruherhra.'Makeanotherwiththefaceofaduck,andwitha
knifestuckinhisback,andcallit'Aluti.'Makeanotherwiththeface
ofawhitecat,andwithaknifestuckinhisback,andtieitupandbind
ittightly,andcallit'peptheEnemy.'"Sucharethemeanswhichthe
Egyptiansadoptedwhentheywantedtokeepawayrainandstorm,
thunderandlightning,andmistandcloud,andtoensureabrightclear
skywhereinthesunmightrunhiscourse.
Undertheheadingof"MagicalFigures"mustcertainlybeincludedthe
socalledPtahSekerAusarfigurewhichisusuallymadeofwooditis
oftensolid,butissometimesmadehollow,andisusuallyletintoa
rectangularwoodenstandwhichmaybeeithersolidorhollow.The
threegodsortrinityofPtah,Seker(Socharis),andAusar(Osiris),are
intendedtorepresentthegodofthesunrise(Ptah),thegodofthenight
sun(Seker),andthegodoftheresurrection(Osiris).ThenamePtah
means"Opener,"andisusuallyappliedtothesunasthe"opener"of
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thedayandthenameSekermeans"Hewhoisshutin,"thatistosay,
thenightsun,whowasregardedasthesunburiedtemporarily.Now
thelifeofamanuponearthwasidentifiedwiththatofthesunhe
"opened"orbeganhislifeasPtah,andafterdeathhewas"shutin"or
"coffined,"likeitalso.Butthesunrisesagainwhenthenightispast,
and,asitbeginsanewlifewithrenewedstrengthandvigour,it
becamethetype
p.85
ofthenewlifewhichtheEgyptianhopedtoliveintheworldbeyond
thegrave.ButthedifficultywashowtoobtaintheprotectionofPtah,
Seker,andOsiris,andhowtomakethemdoforthemanthatwhich
theydidforthemselves,andsosecuretheirattributes.Toattainthis
endafigurewasfashionedinsuchawayastoincludethechief
characteristicsoftheformsofthesegods,andwasinsertedina
rectangularwoodenstandwhichwasintendedtorepresentthecoffin
orchestoutofwhichthetrinityPtahSekerAusarcameforth.Onthe
figureitselfandonthesidesofthestandwereinscribedprayerson
behalfofthemanforwhomitwasmade,andtheEgyptianbelieved
thattheseprayerscausedthemightandpowersofthethreegodsto
comeanddwellinthewoodenfigure.Butinordertomakethestandof
thefigureasmuchlikeacoffinaspossible,asmallportionofthebody
ofthedeceasedwascarefullymummifiedandplacedinit,anditwas
thoughtthatifthethreegodsprotectedandpreservedthatpiece,andif
theyrevivifieditindueseason,thewholebodywouldbeprotected,
andpreserved,andrevivified.Frequently,especiallyinthelateperiod,
acavitywasmadeinthesideofthestand,andinthiswaslaidasmall
rollofpapyrusinscribedwiththetextofcertainChaptersoftheBook
oftheDead,andthusthedeceasedwasprovidedwithadditional
securityfortheresurrectionofhisspiritualbodyintheworldtocome.
Thelittlerollsofpapyrus
p.86
areofteninscribedwithbutshortandfragmentarytexts,but
occasionally,asinthecaseofthepriestessAnhai,afinelarge
papyrus,1inscribedwithnumeroustextsandillustratedwithvignettes,
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wasplacedinsidethefigureofthegod,whointhisinstanceisinthe
formofOsirisonly.2ItseemsthatthePtahSekerAusarfigurewas
muchusedinthelateperiodinEgypt,formanyinscribedexamples
havebeenfoundwhicharenotonlyillegible,butwhichprovethatthe
artisthadnottheremotestideaofthemeaningofthethingswhichhe
waswriting.Itispossiblethattheywereemployedlargelybythepoor,
amongwhomtheyseemtohaveservedthepurposeofthecostlytomb.
Returningoncemoretothesubjectofwaxfigures,itmaybewondered
whysuchaverylargeproportionofthefiguresofthegodswhichwere
wornbythelivingandattachedtothebodiesofthedeadasamulets
aremadeofalmosteverykindofsubstanceexceptwax.Butthereason
ofthisisnotfartoseek:waxisasubstancewhichreadilychangesits
formunderheatandpressure,anditisalsopossiblethatthefactofits
havingbeenemployedfromtimeimmemorialformakingfigures
whichwereintendedtoworkharmandnotgoodtoman,inducedthose
whomadeamuletsintheformsofthegodstoselectsomeother
material.Asamatteroffact,however,severalfiguresofgods
p.87
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PtahSekerAusarfigurewithcavitycontainingaportionofahuman
bodymummified.
(BritishMuseum,No.9736).
p.89
madeofwaxtoserveasprotectiveamuletsareknown,andasetof
four,representingthefourchildrenofHorus,nowpreservedinthe
BritishMuseum,areworthyofnotice.ThefourchildrenofHorus,or
thegodsofthefourcardinalpoints,werecalledMestha,Hpi,
Tuamutef,andQebhsennuf,andwiththemwereassociatedthe
goddessesIsis,Nephthys,Neith,andSerqetrespectively.Mesthawas
manheaded,andrepresentedthesouth,andprotectedthestomachand
largeintestinesHpiwasdogheaded,andrepresentedthenorth,and
protectedthesmallintestinesTuamutefwasjackalheaded)and
representedtheeastandprotectedthelungsandtheheartand
Qebhsennufwashawkheaded,andrepresentedthewest,andprotected
theliverandthegallbladder.Thevariousinternalorgansofmenwere
removedfromthebodybeforeitwasmummified,andhavingbeen
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steepedincertainastringentsubstancesandbitumenwerewrappedup
inbandages,andlaidinfourjarsmadeofstone,marble,porcelain,
earthenware,orwood.Eachjarwasplacedundertheprotectionofone
ofthefourchildrenofHorus,andasitwashollow,anditscoverwas
madeintheformoftheheadofthegodwhowasrepresentedbyit,and
asthejarbymeansoftheinscriptionuponitbecameanabodeofthe
god,itmightwellbesaidthattheorganofthedeceasedwhichwasput
initwasactuallyplacedinsidethegod.Thecustomofembalmingthe
intestinesseparatelyisveryold,and
p.90
severalexamplesofitintheXIthdynastyareknownevenatthatearly
periodthefourjarsofmummifiedintestineswereplacedinafuneral
chest,orcoffer,whichwasmountedonasledge,anddrawnalongin
thefuneralprocessionimmediatelyafterthecoffin.Inlatertimeswe
findthatmanyattemptsweremadetosecureforthedeceasedthe
benefitoftheprotectionofthesefourgodswithoutincurringthe
expenseof
TheFourChildrenofHorus.
Osirisrisingfromthefuneralchestholdingthesymbolof"life"In
eachhand.
(FromthePapyrusofAni,plate8.)
stonejarsthiscouldbedonebyburyingwithhimfourmodelsor
"dummy"jars,orfourporcelainfiguresofthefourgods,
,
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,orfourwaxones.Forsomeunknownreasonthesetreferredto
abovewasmadeofwax.1ThefourchildrenofHorusplayeda
p.91
veryimportantpartinthefuneralworksoftheearlydynastiesthey
originallyrepresentedthefoursupportsofheaven,butverysooneach
wasregardedasthegodofoneofthefourquartersoftheearth,and
alsoofthatquarteroftheheavenswhichwasaboveit.Astheconstant
prayerofthedeceasedwasthatheshouldbeabletogoaboutwherever
hepleased,bothonearthandinheaven,itwasabsolutelynecessaryfor
hiswelfarethatheshouldpropitiatethesegodsandplacehimself
undertheirprotection,whichcouldonlybesecuredbytherecitalof
certainwordsofpoweroverfiguresofthem,oroverjarsmadeto
representthem.
ButofalltheEgyptianswhowereskilledinworkingmagic,
Nectanebus,thelastnativekingofEgypt,aboutB.C.318,wasthe
chief,ifwemaybelieveGreektradition.AccordingtoPseudo
Callisthenes,andtheversionsofhisworkswhichweretranslatedinto
Pehlevi,Arabic,Syriac,andascoreofotherlanguagesanddialects,
thiskingwasfamousasamagicianandasage,andhewasdeeply
learnedinallthewisdomoftheEgyptians.Heknewwhatwasinthe
depthsoftheNileandofheaven,hewasskilledinreadingthestars,in
interpretingomens,incastingnativities,intellingfortunes,andin
predictingthefutureoftheunbornchild,andinworkingmagicof
everykind,asweshallseehewassaidtobethelordoftheearth,and
toruleallkingsbymeansofhismagicalpowers.
p.92
Wheneverhewasthreatenedwithinvasionbyseaorbyland
hesucceededindestroyingthepowerofhisenemies,andindriving
themfromhiscoastsorfrontiersandthishedidbythefollowing
means.Iftheenemycameagainsthimbysea,insteadofsendingout
hissailorstofightthem,heretiredintoacertainchamber,andhaving
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broughtforthabowlwhichhekeptforthepurpose,hefilleditwith
water,andthen,havingmadewaxfiguresoftheshipsandmenofthe
enemy,andalsoofhisownmenandships,hesetthemuponthewater
inthebowl,hismenononeside,andthoseoftheenemyontheother.
Hethencameout,andhavingputonthecloakofanEgyptianprophet
andtakenanebonyrodinhishand,hereturnedintothechamber,and
utteringwordsofpowerheinvokedthegodswhohelpmentowork
magic,andthewinds,andthesubterraneandemons,whichstraightway
cametohisaid.Bytheirmeansthefiguresofthemeninwaxsprang
intolifeandbegantofight,andtheshipsofwaxbegantomoveabout
likewisebutthefigureswhichrepresentedhisownmenvanquished
thosewhichrepresentedtheenemy,andasthefiguresoftheshipsand
menofthehostilefleetsankthroughthewatertothebottomofthe
bowl,evensodidtherealshipsandmensinkthroughthewaterstothe
bottomofthesea.Inthiswayhesucceededinmaintaininghispower,
andhecontinuedtooccupyhiskingdominpeaceforaconsiderable
p.93
period.Butitfelloutonadaythatcertainscoutscameandinformed
NectanebusthatamultitudeofthenationsoftheEasthadmadea
leaguetogetheragainstEgypt,andthattheiralliedforceswereatthat
momentmarchingagainsthim.Whenthekingheardthenewshe
laughed,andhavingsaidsomescornfulwordsabouthisenemies,he
wentintohisprivatechamber,andpouringwaterintothebowlbegan
toworkmagicintheusualway.Butwhenhehadspokenthewordsof
power,helookedatthewaxfigures,andsaw,tohisdismay,thatthe
godsofEgyptweresteeringtheenemies'ships,andleadingtheir
soldierstowaragainsthimself.NowassoonasNectanebussawthis,
heunderstoodthattheendofthekingdomofEgyptwasathand,for
hithertothegodshadbeenwonttoholdconversewithhimreadily,and
tolendhimtheirhelpwheneverhehadneedofit.Hethenquittedthe
chamberhastily,andhavingshavedoffhishairandhisbeard,and
disguisedhimselfbyputtingoncommonapparel,betookshipandfled
toPellainMacedonia,whereheestablishedhimselfasaphysician,
andasanEgyptiansoothsayer.
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Omitting,forthepresent,anyreferencetothecontentsoftheIVth
chapterofPseudoCallisthenes,inwhichthecastingofthenativityof
OlympiasbyNectanebusisdescribed,wecometothepassagein
whichthestoryofthewayinwhichhesentadream
p.94
tothequeenbymeansofawaxfigureistold.Hisobjectwasto
persuadethequeenthattheEgyptiangodAmenwouldcometoherat
night.Todothisheleftherpresence,andgoingoutintothedeserthe
collectedanumberofherbswhichheknewhowtoemployincausing
peopletodreamdreams,andhavingbroughtthembackwithhimbe
squeezedthejuiceoutofthem.Hethenmadethefigureofawomanin
wax,andwroteuponitthenameofOlympias,justasthepriestof
Thebesmadethefigureofpepinwaxandcuthisnameuponit.
Nectanebusthenlithislamp,and,havingpouredthejuiceoftheherbs
overthewaxfigureofthequeen,headjuredthedemonstosuch
purposethatOlympiasdreamedadreaminwhichthegodAmencame
toherandembracedher,andtoldherthatsheshouldgivebirthtoa
manchildwhoshouldavengeheronherhusbandPhilip.Butthe
meansdescribedabovewerenottheonlyonesknowntoNectanebus
forprocuringdreams,forwhenhewantedtomakePhilipofMacedon
toseecertainthingsinadream,andtotakeacertainviewaboutwhat
hesaw,hesentahawk,whichhehadpreviouslybewitchedbymagical
words,toPhilipashelayasleep,andinasinglenightthehawkflew
fromMacedoniatotheplacewherePhilipwas,andcomingtohimtold
himwhatthingsheshouldseeinhisdream,andhesawthem.Onthe
morrowPhiliphadthedreamexplainedbyanexpounderofdreams,
p.95
andhewassatisfiedthatthechild1towhomhiswifeOlympiaswas
abouttogivebirthwasthesonofthegodAmen(orAmmon)ofLibya,
whowasregardedasthefatherofallthekingswhoascendedthe
throneofEgypt,whodidnotbelongtotheroyalstockofthatcountry.2
Here,inconnexionwiththeEgyptianuseofwaxfigures,mustbe
mentionedoneortwostoriesandtraditionsofAlexandertheGreat
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whichare,clearly,derivedfromEgyptiansources.TheArabwriter,
AbuShker,whoflourishedintheXIIIthcenturyofourera,mentions
atraditionthatAristotlegavetoAlexanderanumberofwaxfigures
naileddowninabox,whichwasfastenedbyachain,andwhichhe
orderedhimnevertoletgooutofhishand,oratleastoutofthatof
oneofhisconfidentialservants.Theboxwastogowherever
Alexanderwent,andAristotletaughthimtorecitecertainformul
overitwheneverhetookituporputitdown.Thefiguresinthebox
wereintendedtorepresentthevariouskindsofarmedforcesthat
Alexanderwaslikelytofindopposedtohim.Someofthemodelsheld
intheirhandsleadenswordswhichwerecurvedbackwards,andsome
hadspearsintheirhandspointedheaddownwards,andsomehadbows
withcutstringsallthesewerelaidfacedownwardsinthebox.Viewed
bywhatwe
p.96
knowoftheideaswhichunderlaytheuseofwaxfiguresbythe
EgyptiansandGreeks,itisclearthat,inprovidingAlexanderwith
thesemodelsandthewordsofpowertousewiththem,Aristotle
believedhewasgivinghimthemeansofmakinghisenemiesto
becomelikethefiguresinthebox,andsotheywouldbepowerlessto
attackhim.1
IntheGrcoRomanperiod2waxfigureswereusedinthe
performanceofmagicalceremoniesofeverykind,andthetwo
followingexamplesindicatethattheideaswhichunderlaytheiruse
hadnotchangedintheleast.Ifaloverwishedtosecurethefavoursof
hismistress,heisdirectedtomakeafigureofadoginwaxmixedwith
pitch,gum,etc.,eightfingerslong,andcertainwordsofpowerareto
bewrittenovertheplacewherehisribsshouldbe.Nextitwas
necessarytowriteonatabletotherwordsofpower,orthenamesof
beingswhoweresupposedtopossessmagicalpowersonthistablet
thefigureofthedogmustbeplaced,andthetabletismadetorest
uponatripod.Whenthishasbeendonethelovermustrecitethewords
ofpowerwhicharewrittenonthedog'sside,andalsothenameswhich
havebeeninscribedonthetablet,andoneoftwothingswillhappen:
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i.e.,thedogwilleithersnarl
p.97
andsnapatthelover,orhewillbark.Ifhesnarlsandsnapsthelover
willnotgaintheobjectofhisaffections,butifhebarkstheladywill
cometohim.Inthesecondexampletheloverisorderedtomaketwo
waxenfiguresoneintheformofAres,andtheotherintheformofa
woman.Thefemalefigureistobeinthepostureofkneelinguponher
kneeswithherhandstiedbehindher,andthemalefigureistostand
overherwithhisswordatherthroat.Onthelimbsofthefemalefigure
alargenumberofthenamesofdemonsaretobewritten,andwhen
thishasbeendone,thelovermusttakethirteenbronzeneedles,and
sticktheminherlimbs,sayingashedoesso,"Ipierce"(herehe
mentionsthenameofthelimb)"thatshemaythinkofme."Thelover
mustnextwritecertainwordsofpoweronaleadenplate,whichmust
betiedtothewaxfigureswithastringcontainingthreehundredand
sixtyfiveknots,andbothfigureandplatearetobeburiedinthegrave
ofsomeonewhohasdiedyoungorwhohasbeenslainbyviolence.
Hemustthenrecitealongincantationtotheinfernalgods,andifall
thesethingsbedoneinapropermannertheloverwillobtainthe
woman'saffections.1
FromEgypt,bywayofGreeceandRome,theuseof
p.98
waxfigurespassedintoWesternEuropeandEngland,andinthe
MiddleAgesitfoundgreatfavourwiththosewhointerested
themselvesintheworkingofthe"blackart,"orwhowishedtodotheir
neighbourorenemyaninjury.ManystoriesarecurrentofhowinItaly
andEnglandignorantorwickedmindedpeoplemademodelsoftheir
enemiesinwaxandhungthemupinthechimney,nottooclosetothe
fire,sothattheymightmeltawayslowly,andofhowthepeoplethat
wererepresentedbysuchfiguresgraduallylostthepowerovertheir
limbs,andcouldnotsleep,andslowlysickenedanddied.Ifpinsand
needleswerestuckintothewaxfiguresatstatedtimesthesufferingsof
thelivingweremademoreagonizing,andtheirdeathmuchmore
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painful.
Sharperelates1thatabouttheendoftheVIIthcenturykingDuffuswas
sounpopularthat"acompanyofhagsroastedhisimagemadeofwax
uponawoodenspit,recitingcertainwordsofenchantment,andbasting
thefigurewithapoisonousliquor.Thesewomenwhenapprehended
declaredthatasthewaxmelted,thebodyofthekingshoulddecay,and
thewordsofenchantmentpreventedhimfromtherefreshmentof
sleep."ThetwofollowingextractsfromThomasMiddleton'sThe
Witch2illustratetheviewsheldaboutwaxfiguresinEnglandinthe
timeofthiswriter.3
p.99
I.
"Heccat.Istheheartofwax
Stuckfullofmagiqueneedles?"
Stadlin.'TisdoneHeccat.
Heccat.AndistheFarmer'spicture,andhiswives,
Lay'ddownetoth'fireyet?
Stadlin.Theyarearoastingbothtoo.
Heccat.Good:
Thentheirmarrowesareameltingsubtelly
Andthreemonethessicknessucksuplifein'em."
(Acti.,scene2.)
II.
"Heccat.Whatdeathis'tyoudesireforAlmachildes?
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Duchesse.Asodaineandasubtle.
Heccat.ThenIhavefittedyou.
Herelyetheguiftsofbothsodaineandsubtle:
Hispicturemadeinwax,andgentlymolten
Byablewfirekindledwithdeadmens'eyes
Willwastehimbydegrees."
(Actv.,scene2)
Mr.Elworthyinhisveryinterestingbook"TheEvilEye"1relates
somestrikingexamplesoftheburningofheartsstuckfullofpinsfor
magicalpurposes
p.100
inrecentyears.ThusanoldwomanatMendiphadapigthatfellill,
andsheatoncemadeuphermindthattheanimalhadbeen
"overlooked"inhertroublesheconsulteda"whitewitch,"i.e.a
"wise"man,andbyhisorderssheactedthus.Sheobtainedasheep's
heart,andhavingstuckitfullofpins1setittoroastbeforeafire,
whilstherfriendsandneighbourssang:
ItisnotthisheartImeantoburn.
Buttheperson'sheartIwishtoturn,
Wishingthemneitherrestnorpeace
Tilltheyaredeadandgone."
AtintervalshersonGeorgesprinkledsaltonthefirewhichadded
greatlytotheweirdnessofthescene,andatlength,whentheroasting
hadbeencontinueduntilfarintothenight,ablackcatjumpedoutfrom
somewhereandwas,ofcourse,instantlydeclaredtobethedemon
whichhadbeenexorcised.Again,inOctober,1882,aheartstuckfull
ofpinswasfoundinarecessofachimneyinanoldhouseinthe
villageofAshbrittleandin1890anotherwasfoundnailedupinside
the"clavel"inthechimneyofanoldhouseatStaplegrove.
TheartofmakingsuchfiguresKingJamesI.attributestothe"Divell,"
andsaysindescribingthe
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thingswhichwitchesareableto"effectuatebythepoweroftheir
master1":"Tosomeothersatthesetimesheeteacheth,howtomake
picturesofwaxeorclay:Thatbytheroastingthereof,thepersonsthat
theybearethenameof,maybecontinuallymeltedordriedawayby
continuallsicknesse....Theycanbewitchandtakethelifeofmenor
women,byroastingofthepictures,asIspakeofbefore,which
likewiseisveriepossibletotheirMaistertoperforme,foralthough(as
Isaidbefore)thatinstrumentofwaxehavenovertueinthatturne
doing,yetmayheenotverywell,evenbythesamemeasurethathis
conjuredslaves,meltsthatwaxeatthefire,mayheenot,Isayatthese
sametimes,subtily,asasprite,soweakenandscatterthespiritesof
lifeofthepatient,asmaymakehimontheonepart,forfaintnesse,so
sweateitoutthehumourofhisbodie:Andontheotherparte,forthe
notconcurrenceofthesespirites,whichcauseshisdigestion,so
debilitatehisstomacke,thatthishumourradicallcontinuallysweating
outontheonepart,andnonewgoodsuckebeingputintheplace
thereof,forlackeofdigestionontheother,heatlastshallvanishaway,
evenashispicturewilldieatthefire?Andthatknavishandcunning
workeman,bytroublinghim,onelyatsometimes,makesaproportion,
soneerebetwixttheworkingoftheoneandtheother,
p.102
thatbothshallendasitwereatonetime."Thuswehaveseenthatthe
beliefintheefficacyofwaxfiguresisatleastsixthousandyearsold,
andjudgingfrompassagesintheworksofmodernwritersitsexistence
isnotunknowninourowncountryatthepresenttime.
Thischaptermaybefittinglyendedbyanoticeofthebenefitswhich
accruedtoaChristianmerchantintheLevantfromtheuseofawax
figure.AccordingtoanEthiopicmanuscriptintheBritishMuseum1
thismanwasashipowneraswellasamerchant,andbewaswontto
sendhisgoodstomarketinhisownshipsinhisday,however,thesea
wasinfestedwithpirates,andhelostgreatlythroughtheirsuccessful
attacksuponhisvessels.Atlengthhedeterminedtotravelinoneofhis
ownshipswithanumberofarmedmen,sothathemightbeableto
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resistanyattackwhichthepiratesmightmake,andpunishthemfor
theirrobberiesintimespast..Soonafterhehadsailedhefellinwitha
piratevessel,andafightatoncetookplacebetweenhiscrewandthe
robbers,inthecourseofwhichhewasshotintheeyebyanarrowhe
stoppedthecombatandthensailedforaportwhichwassituatedneara
monastery,whereintheVirginMarywasreportedtoworkmiraclesby
meansofapictureofherselfwhichwashungupinit.Whenthe
merchantarrivedinporthewassoillthroughthewoundinhiseyethat
hecouldnotbemoved,anditwasfoundthataportion
p.103
ofthearrowwhichhadstruckhimremainedembeddedinitand
unlesshecouldobtaintheVirgin'shelpspeedilyhefeltthathisdeath
wasnigh.InthisdifficultyacertainChristiancametotheshipand
madeawaxfigureofthemerchant,and,havingstuckinoneeyea
modelofthearrowwhichhadstruckhim,carriedthefiguretothe
monastery,whichwassomemilesoff,andcausedthemonkstoallow
himtobringitnightothepictureoftheVirgin.Whenthishadbeen
done,andprayershadbeenmadetoher,thefigureoftheVirgin
stretchedoutitshand,andstraightwaypulledthemodelofthearrow
outoftheeyeofthewaxfigureofthemerchantinsuchawaythatno
brokenfragmentremainedbehind.Whenthewaxfigurehadbeen
takenbacktotheship,itwasfoundthatthepieceofbrokenarrowhad
beenextractedfromthemerchant'seyeattheverymomentwhenthe
Virginhaddrawnoutthearrowfromtheeyeofthewaxfigure.The
merchant'seyethenhealed,andherecoveredhissight.
Footnotes
67:1Ed.Erman,pp.7and8.
69:1I.e.,thepriestlyofficialwhoperformedthemostimportantofthe
funeralceremonieshewasalwaysamanofgreatlearning,and
generallyofhighrank.
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71:1I.e.,ChapterV.oftheBookoftheDead.
72:1I.e.,ChapterV.oftheBookoftheDead.
72:2Thisis,1think,themeaningofbringingthesandfromtheeastto
thewest.
77:1SeeDevria,LePapyrusJudiciairedeTurininJournal
Asiatique,1865andChabas,LePapyrusMagiqueHarris,p.169ff.
79:1SeeChaptersofComingForthbyDay,p.89.
79:2Ihavegivenahieroglyphictranscriptofbothworks,with
translations,inArchologia,Vol.LII.
81:1TheocritushaspreservedforusaproofthattheGreeksmadeuse
ofwaxfiguresatanearlydate.ThusinPharmakeutria(1.27ff.)the
ladyspinningherwheelandaddressingtheLynxsays,"EvenasImelt
thiswax,withthegodtoaid,sospeedilymayhebylovebemolten!"
(Lang'sTranslation,p.12).
86:1ThispapyrusispreservedintheBritishMuseum(No.10,472).
86:2BritishMuseum,No.20,868.
90:1Nos.15,563,15,564,15,573,and15,578intheSecondEgyptian
Room.
95:1i.e.,AlexandertheGreat.
95:2Forfurthermentionofdreams,seethelastchapterinthisbook.
96:1SeemyLifeandExploitsofAlexandertheGreat(onevolume
edition),p.xvi.
96:2TheGreeksusedincantationsatanearlydate,aswemaysee
fromPindar,Pythia,iv.213thiswriterlivedinthefirsthalfofthe
fifthcenturybeforeChrist.
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97:1Iowethefactsofthesetwoexamplesoftheuseofwaxfigures
andthetwospellsforprocuringvisionsanddreams(seep.96),andthe
exampleoftheuseofthesphereofDemocritus(p.230),toMr.F.G.
Kenyon,AssistantKeeperintheDept.ofMSS.,BritishMuseum.
98:1SeeC.K.Sharpe,WitchcraftinScotland,London,1884,p.21.
98:2London,1778.
98:3Bornabout1570,diedabout1626.
99:1London,1895,pp.53,56.
100:1IntheWorthRidingofYorkshireevilinfluenceswereaverted
bymeansofalivingblackcockwhich"waspiercedwithpinsand
roastedaliveatdeadofnight,witheverydoor,window,andcranny
andcrevicestuffedup"(seeBlakeborough,Wit,Character,Folklore
andCustomsoftheNorthRidingofYorkshire,London,1898,p.205).
101:1ThefollowingwordsareputintothemouthofEpistemonin
Dmonologie,inFormeofoneDialogue,London,1603,Second
Booke,Chap.V.pp.44,45.
102:1Oriental646,fol.29bff.
Next:ChapterIV.MagicalPicturesandFormul,Spells,Etc.
p.104
CHAPTERIV.
MAGICALPICTURESANDFORMUL,SPELLS,
ETC.
FROMwhathasbeensaidaboveitisclearthattheEgyptianbelieved
itpossibletovivifybymeansofformulandwordsofpowerany
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figuremadeintheformofamanoranimal,andtomakeitworkeither
onbehalfoforagainsthisfellowman.Besidesthis,hebelieved
greatlyintheefficacyofrepresentationsorpicturesofthegods,andof
divinebeingsandthings,providedthatwordsofpowerproperly
recitedbyproperlyappointedpeoplewererecitedoverthem.Ifthis
factbeborneinmindagreatmanydifficultiesinunderstanding
religioustextsdisappear,andmanyapparentlychildishfactsareseen
tohaveanimportantmeaning.Ifwelookintothetombsoftheearly
periodweseepaintedonthewallsnumbersofscenesinwhichthe
deceasedisrepresentedmakingofferingstothegodsandperforming
religiousceremonies,aswellasnumbersofothersinwhichbeis
directingtheworkofhisestateandrulinghishousehold.Itwasnot
altogethertheresultofpridethatsuchpictures
p.105
werepaintedonthewallsoftombs,foratthebottomofhisheartthe
Egyptianhopedandbelievedthattheywereinrealityrepresentations
ofwhathewoulddointhenextworld,andhetrustedthatthewordsof
hisprayerswouldturnpicturesintorealities,anddrawingsinto
substances.ThewealthyEgyptianleftbehindhimthemeansfor
makingtheofferingswhichhiska,
ThegoddessHathorgivingthescribeAnimeatanddrinkfromoutofa
sycamoretreewhichgrowsbythesideofastream.
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ordouble,needed,andwasabletoprovideforthemaintenanceofhis
tombandofthekachapelandofthepriestorpriestswhoministeredto
it.Itwasailarticleoffaithamongallclassesthatunlessthekawas
properlyfeditwouldbedriventowanderaboutandpickupfilthand
anythingelseofthatnaturewhichit
p.106
foundinitspath,aswemayseefromtheLIIndChapteroftheBookof
theDead,inwhichthedeceasedsays,"Thatwhichisanabomination
untome,thatwhichisanabominationuntomeletmenoteat.That
whichisanabominationuntome,thatwhichisanabominationunto
meisfilthletmenoteatofitinsteadofthecakes[whichareoffered
unto]theDoubles(kau).Letitnotlightuponmybodyletmenotbe
obligedtotakeitintomyhandsandlet
ThescribeAniandhiswifestandinginastreamdrinkingwater.
menotbeobligedtowalkthereoninmysandals."Andinthe
CLXXXIXthChapterhepraysthathemaynotbeobligedtodrink
filthywaterorbedefiledinanywaybyit.Therichman,even,wasnot
certainthattheappointedofferingsofmeatanddrinkcouldorwould
bemadeinhistombinperpetuity:whatthenwasthepoormantodoto
savehiskafromtheignominyofeatingfilthanddrinkingdirtywater?
p.107
Togetoutofthisdifficultythemodelofanaltarinstonewas
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made,andmodelsofcakes,vasesofwater,fruit,meat,etc.,were
placeduponitincaseswherethiswasnotpossiblefiguresofthe
offeringsweresculptureduponthestoneitselfinothers,whereeven
theexpenseofanaltarcouldnotbebornebytherelativesofthedead,
analtarwithofferingspainteduponitwasplacedinthetomb,andas
longasitexistedthroughtheprayersrecited,thekadidnotlackfood.
Sometimesneitheraltar,normodelnorpictureofanaltarwasplaced
inthetomb,andtheprayerthatsepulchralmealsmightbegiventothe
deceasedbythegods,whichwasinscribeduponsomearticleof
funeralfurniture,wastheonlyprovisionmadeforthewantsoftheka
buteverytimeanyonewhopassedbythetombrecitedthatprayer,and
coupledwithitthenameofthemanwhowasburiedinit,hiskawas
providedwithafreshsupplyofmeatanddrinkofferings,forthe
modelsorpicturesofthemintheinscriptionstraightwaybecame
veritablesubstances.OntheinsidesofthewoodencoffinsoftheXIIth
dynasty,aboutB.C.2500,arepaintedwholeseriesofobjectswhich,in
stillearliertimes,wereactuallyplacedinthetombswiththemummy
butlittlebylittlemenceasedtoprovidethenumerousarticles
connectedwiththesepultureofthedeadwhichtheoldritual
prescribed,andtheytrustedtothetextsandformulwhichthey
paintedonthecoffintoturnpicturesintosubstances,and
p.108
besidesthepillowtheyplacedlittleelseinthetomb.
Aboutathousandyearslater,whenthereligioustextswhichformed
theBookoftheDeadwerewrittenuponpapyriinsteadofcoffins,a
largenumberofillustrationsorvignetteswereaddedtothemtomany
ofthesespecialimportancewasattached,andthefollowingareworthy
ofnote.
ItwillberememberedthattheCXXVthChapteroftheBookofthe
Deadcontainsthesocalled"NegativeConfession"whichisrecitedin
theHallofMati,andanumberofnamesofgodsandbeings,the
knowledgeofwhichismostimportantforthewelfareofthedeceased.
AttheendoftheChapterwefindthefollowingstatement:"This
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chaptershallbesaidbythedeceasedafterhehathbeencleansedand
purified,andwhenheisarrayedinapparel,andisshodwithwhite
leathersandals,andhiseyeshavebeenpaintedwithantimony,andhis
bodyhathbeenanointedwithntiunguent,andwhenhehathmade
offeringsofoxen,andbirds,andincense,andcakes,andale,and
gardenherbs.Andbehold,thoushaltpaintapictureofwhatshall
happenintheHallofMatiuponanewtilemouldedfromearth,upon
whichneitherapignoranyotheranimalhathtrodden.Andifthou
writestuponitthischapterthedeceasedshallflourishandhischildren
shallflourishandhisnameshallneverfallintooblivionandbread,
and
p.109
cakes,andsweetmeats,andwine,andmeatshallbegivenuntohimat
thealtarofthegreatgodandheshallnotbeturnedbackatanydoorin
theunderworldandheshallbebroughtinalongwiththeKingsofthe
NorthandSouthandheshallbeinthefollowingofOsirisalwaysand
forever."Here,then,wehaveanexcellentexampleofthefarreaching
effectsofapictureaccompaniedbytheproperwordsofpower,and
everypictureintheBookoftheDeadwasequallyefficaciousin
producingacertainresult,thatresultbeingalwaysconnectedwiththe
welfareofthedead.
Accordingtoseveralpassagesandchaptersthedeceasedwasterrified
lestheshouldlackbothairandwater,aswellasfood,inthe
underworld,and,todoawaywithallriskofsuchacalamity
happening,pictures,inwhichheisrepresentedholdingasail(the
symbolofairandwindandbreath)inhishands,andstandinguptohis
anklesinwater,1werepaintedonhispapyrus,andtextssimilartothe
followingwerewrittenbelowthem."Mymouthandmynostrilsare
openedinTattu(Busiris),andIhavemyplaceofpeaceinAnnu
(Heliopolis)whichismyhouseitwasbuiltformebythegoddess
Sesheta,andthegodKhnemusetituponitswallsforme....""Hail,
thougodTem,grantthouuntomethesweetbreathwhichdwellethin
thynostrils!IembracethegreatthronewhichisinKhemennu
(Hermopolis),andI
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keepwatchovertheEggoftheGreatCacklerIgerminateasit
germinatethIliveasitlivethandmybreathisitsbreath."1Butyet
another"exceedinggreatmystery"hadtobeperformedifthedeceased
wastobeenabledtoenterintoheavenbyitsfourdoorsatwill,andto
enjoytheairwhichcamethrougheach.Thenorthwindbelongedto
Osiris,thesouthwindtoR,thewestwindtoIsis,andtheeastwindto
Nephthysandforthedeceasedtoobtainpowerovereachandallof
theseitwasnecessaryforhimtobemasterofthedoorsthroughwhich
theyblew.Thispowercouldonlybeobtainedbycausingpicturesof
thefourdoorstobepaintedonthecoffinwithafigureofThoth
openingeach.Somespecialimportancewasattachedtothese,forthe
rubricsays,"Letnonewhoisoutsideknowthischapter,foritisagreat
mystery,andthosewhodwellintheswamps(i.e.,theignorant)know
itnot.Thoushaltnotdothisinthepresenceofanypersonexceptthy
father,orthyson,orthyselfaloneforitisindeedanexceedinglygreat
mysterywhichnomanwhateverknoweth."2
Oneofthedelightscovetedbythedeceasedwastosailoverheavenin
theboatofR,incompanywiththegodsofthefuneralcycleofOsiris
thishappinesscouldbesecuredforhimbypaintingcertainpictures,
andbysayingoverthemcertainwordsofpower.On
p.111
apieceofcleanpapyrusaboatistobedrawnwithinkmadeofgreen
butmixedwithntiwater,andinitaretobefiguresofIsis,Thoth,
Shu,andKhepera,andthedeceasedwhenthishasbeendonethe
papyrusmustbefastenedtothebreastofthedeceased,carebeing
takenthatitdoesnotactuallytouchhisbody.Thenshallhisspiritenter
intotheboatofReachday,andthegodThothshalltakeheedtohim,
andheshallsailaboutwithRintoanyplacethathewisheth.1
ElsewhereitisorderedthattheboatofRbepainted"inapureplace,"
andinthebowsistobepaintedafigureofthedeceasedbutRwas
supposedtotravelinoneboat(called"tet")untilnoon,andanother
(called"Sektet")untilsunset,andprovisionhadtobemadeforthe
deceasedinbothboats.Howwasthistobedone?Ononesideofthe
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pictureoftheboatafigureofthemorningboatofRwastobedrawn,
andontheotherafigureoftheafternoonboatthustheonepicture
wascapableofbecomingtwoboats.And,providedtheproper
offeringsweremadeforthedeceasedonthebirthdayofOsiris,hissoul
wouldliveforever,andbewouldnotdieasecondtime.2Accordingto
therubrictothechapter3inwhichthesedirectionsaregiven,thetext
ofitisasold,atleast,asthetimeofHesepti,thefifthkingoftheIst
dynasty,whoreignedaboutB.C.4350,andthecustomofpaintingthe
boatupon
p.112
papyrusisprobablycontemporaneous.Thetwofollowingrubricsfrom
ChaptersCXXXIII.andCXXXIV.,respectively,willexplainstill
furthertheimportanceofsuchpictures:
1."Thischaptershallberecitedoveraboatfourcubitsinlength,and
madeofgreenporcelain[onwhichhavebeenpainted]thedivine
sovereignchiefsofthecitiesandafigureofheavenwithitsstarsshall
bemadealso,andthisthoushalthavemadeceremoniallypureby
meansofnatronandincense.Andbehold,thoushaltmakeanimageof
Rinyellowcolouruponanewplaqueandsetitatthebowsofthe
boat.Andbehold,thoushaltmakeanimageofthespiritwhichthou
dostwishtomakeperfect[andplaceit]inthisboat,andthoushalt
makeittotravelaboutintheboat[which.shallbemadeintheformof
theboat]ofRandheshallseetheformofthegodRhimself
therein.Letnottheeyeofanymanwhatsoeverlookuponit,withthe
exceptionofthineownself,orthyfather,orthyson,andguard[this]
withgreatcare.ThenshallthespiritbeperfectintheheartofR,andit
shallgiveuntohimpowerwiththecompanyofthegodsandthegods
shalllookuponhimasadivinebeinglikeuntothemselvesand
mankindandthedeadshallfalldownupontheirfaces,andheshallbe
seenintheunderworldintheformoftheradianceofR."
2."Thischaptershallberecitedoverahawk
p.113
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standingandhavingthewhitecrownuponhishead,[andoverfigures
of]thegodsTem,Shu,Tefnut,Seb,Nut,Osiris,Isis,Suti,and
Nephthys,paintedinyellowcolouruponanewplaque,whichshallbe
placedin[amodelof]theboat[ofR],alongwithafigureofthespirit
whomthouwouldstmakeperfect,Thesethoushaltanointwithcedar
oil,andincenseshallheoffereduptothemonthefire,andfeathered
fowl,
ThesoulofthescribeAnivisitinghismummifiedbodyasitliesonits
bierinthetomb.
shallberoasted.ItisanactofpraisetoRashejourneyeth,andit
shallcauseamantohavehisbeingalongwithRdaybyday,
whithersoeverthegodvoyagethanditshalldestroytheenemiesofR
inverytruthregularlyandcontinually."
Manyofthepicturesorvignettescarrytheirowninterpretationswith
them,e.g.,thepictureofthesoulhoveringoverthedeadbodywhich
liesbeneathitonthebieratoncesuggeststhereunionofthesoulwith
p.114
thebodythepictureofthedeceasedwalkingawayfroma"blockof
slaughter"andaknifedrippingwithbloodsuggestsescapefroma
crueldeaththepictureofasoulandspiritstandingbeforeanopen
doorsuggeststhatthesoulhasfreedomtowanderaboutatwilland
thepictureofthesoulandtheshadowintheactofpassingoutthrough
thedoorofthetombindicatesclearlythatthesepartsofman's
economyare
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AnubisholdingthemummyofthescribeAnibythedoorofthetomb
standthesoulandspiritofthedeceasedintheformofahumanheaded
hawkandbennubirdrespectively.
notshutupinthetombforalleternity.Buttheideaswhichprompted
thepaintingofothervignettesarenotsoclear,e.g.,thosewhich
accompanyChaptersCLXII.CLXV.inthelateorSiteRecensionof
theBookoftheDead,although,fortunately,therubricstothese
chaptersmaketheirobjectclear.Thusthepicturewhichstandsabove
ChapterCLXII.isthatofacowhavinguponherheadhorns,adisk,
andtwoplumes,
p.115
andfromtherubricwelearnthatafigureofitwastobemadeingold
andfastenedtotheneckofthedeceased,andthatanother,drawnupon
newpapyrus,wastobeplacedunderhishead.Ifthisbedone"then
shallabundantwarmthbeinhimthroughout,evenlikethatwhichwas
inhimwhenhewasuponearth.Andheshallbecomelikeagodinthe
underworld,
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ThescribeAnipassingthroughthedoorofthetomb.outsidearehis
shadowandhissoulintheformofahumanheadedbird.
andheshallneverbeturnedbackatanyofthegatesthereof."The
wordsofthechapterhavegreatprotectivepower(i.e.,areacharmof
thegreatestimportance)wearetold,"foritwasmadebythecowfor
hersonRwhenhewassetting,andwhenhishabitationwas
surroundedbyacompanyofbeingsoffire."Nowthecowis,of
course,IsisHathor,and
p.116
boththewordsandthepicturerefertosomeeventinthelifeofR,or
Horus.Itisquiteevidentthatthewordsofpower,orcharm,utteredby
IsisHathordeliveredthegodoutofsometrouble,andtheideaisthat
asitdeliveredthegod,andwasofbenefittohim,evensowillit
deliverthedeceasedandbeofbenefittohim.Thewordsofpower
read:"OAmen,OAmen,whoartinheaven,turnthyfaceuponthe
deadbodyofthyson,andmakehimsoundandstronginthe
underworld."Andagainwearewarnedthatthewordsare"agreat
mystery"andthat"theeyeofnomanwhatsoevermustseeit,foritisa
thingofabominationfor[everyman]toknowit.Hideit,thereforethe
Bookoftheladyofthehiddentempleisitsname."
Anexaminationofmummiesofthelateperiodshewsthatthe
Egyptiansdidactuallydrawafigureofthecowuponpapyrusandlay
itundertheheadofthedeceased,andthatthecowisonlyonefigure
amonganumberofotherswhichweredrawnonthesamepapyrus.
Withthefiguresmagicaltextswereinscribedandincourseoftime,
whenthepapyrushadbeenmounteduponlinen,itsupersededthegold
figureofthecowwhichwasfastenedtotheneckofthedeceased,and
became,strictlyspeakinganamulet,thoughitsusualnameamong
archaeologistsis"hypocephalus."Thefigureontheoppositepagewell
illustratestheobject.Itwillbenoticedthatthe
p.117
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HypocephalusorobjectplacedundertheheadofthedeceasedShai
enentokeepwarmthinthebody.
p.119
hypocephalusisroundthisisduetothefactthatitrepresentsthepupil
oftheEyeofHorus,whichfromtimeimmemorialinEgyptwas
regardedasthesourceofallgenerativepower,andofreproductionand
life.Thefirstgroupofgodsare:NehebkaofferingtoHorushisEye,a
goddesswiththeEyeofHorusforahead,thecowofIsisHathor
describedabove,thefourchildrenofHorus,twolions,amemberof
thehumanbody,thepylonofheadsofKhnemuthegodof
reproduction,andHorusR.InthesecondaretheboatoftheSun
beingpoledalongbyHorus,andtheboatoftheMoon,with
Harpocratesinthebow.IntheothersceneswehavethegodKhepera
inhisboat,Horusinhisboat,andHorusSeptinhisboat.Thegodwith
twofacesrepresentsthedoubleaspectofthesuninsettingandrising,
andthegodwiththerams'heads,whoisbeingadoredbyapes,isa
mysticalformofKhnemu,oneofthegreatgodsofreproduction,who
instilllatertimesbecamethebeingwhosenameundertheformof
KhnumisorKhnoubisoccupiedsuchanimportantpositionamongthe
magicalnameswhichwereinuseamongtheGnostics.Thetwo
followingprayersfromthehypocephaluswillillustratethewordsof
poweraddressedtoAmen,i.e.,theHiddenOne,quotedabove:1."I
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amtheHiddenOneinthehiddenplace.Iamaperfectspiritamongthe
companionsofR,andIhavegoneinandcomeforthamongthe
perfectsouls.IamthemightySoulof
p.120
saffroncolouredform.Ihavecomeforthfromtheunderworldat
pleasure.Ihavecome.IhavecomeforthfromtheEyeofHorus.Ihave
comeforthfromtheunderworldwithRfromtheHouseoftheGreat
AgedOneinHeliopolis.Iamoneofthespiritswhocomeforthfrom
theunderworld:grantthouuntomethethingswhichmybodyneedeth,
andheavenformysoul,andahiddenplaceformymummy."2."May
thegod,whohimselfishidden,andwhosefaceisconcealed,who
shinethupontheworldinhisformsofexistence,andinthe
underworld,grantthatmysoulmayliveforever!Maythegreatgodin
hisdiskgivehisraysintheunderworldofHeliopolis!Grantthouunto
meanentranceandanexitintheunderworldwithoutletorhindrance."
ChapterCLXIII.oftheBookoftheDeadwaswrittentopreventthe
bodyofamanmoulderingawayintheunderworld,andtodeliverhim
fromthesoulswhichweresounfortunateastobeshutinthevarious
placesthereof,butinordertomakeitthoroughlyefficaciousitwas
orderedtoberecitedoverthreepictures:(1)aserpentwithlegs,having
adiskandtwohornsuponitshead(2)anutchat,1orEyeofHorus,"in
thepupilofwhichshallbeafigureoftheGodoftheliftedhandwith
thefaceofadivinesoul,andhavingplumesandabacklikeahawk"
(3)anutchat,orEyeofHorus,"inthepupilofwhich
p.121
thereshallbeafigureoftheGodoftheliftedhandwiththefaceofthe
goddessNeith,andhavingplumesandabacklikeahawk."Ifthese
thingsbedoneforthedeceased"heshallnotbeturnedbackatanygate
oftheunderworld,heshalleat,anddrink,andperformthenatural
functionsofhisbodyashedidwhenhewasuponearthandnoneshall
riseuptocryoutagainsthimandheshallbeprotectedfromthehands
oftheenemyforeverandever."1
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ThewordsofpowerwhichformtheCLXIVthChaptertobeeffectual
hadtoberecitedoverafigureofthegoddessMutwhichwastohave
threeheads.ThefirstheadwaslikethatofthegoddessPekhatandhad
plumesthesecondwaslikethatofamanandhaduponitthecrowns
oftheSouthandNorththethirdwaslikethatofavultureandhad
uponitplumesthefigurehadapairofwings,andtheclawsofalion.
Thisfigurewaspaintedinblack,green,andyellowcoloursupona
pieceofaneslineninfrontofitandbehinditwaspaintedadwarf
whoworeplumesuponhishead.Onehandandarmofeachdwarf
wereraised,andeachhadtwofaces,onebeingthatofahawkandthe
otherthatofamanthebodyofeachwasfat.Thesefigureshaving
beenmade,wearetoldthatthedeceasedshallbe"likeuntoagodwith
thegodsoftheunderworldheshallnever,neverbeturnedbackhis
fleshandhisbonesshallbelike
p.122
thoseofonewhohathneverbeendeadheshalldrinkwateratthe
sourceofthestreamahomesteadshallbegivenuntohiminSekhet
Aaruheshallbecomeastarofheavenheshallsetouttodobattle
withtheserpentfiendNekauandwithTar,whoareintheunderworld
heshallnotbeshutinalongwiththesoulswhicharefetteredheshall
havepowertodeliverhimselfwhereverhemaybeandwormsshall
notdevourhim."1
Again,thewordsofpowerwhichformtheCLXVthChaptertobe
effectualwereorderedbytherubricto"berecitedoverafigureofthe
Godoftheliftedhand,whichshallhaveplumesuponitsheadthelegs
thereofshallbewideapart,andthemiddleportionofitshallbeinthe
formofabeetle,anditshallbepaintedbluewithapaintmadeoflapis
lazulimixedwithqamaiwater.Anditshallberecitedoverafigure
withaheadlikeuntothatofaman,andthehandsandthearmsthereof
shallbestretchedawayfromhisbodyaboveitsrightshouldershall
therebetheheadofaram,andaboveitsleftshouldershalltherebethe
headofaram.AndthoushaltpaintthefigureoftheGodofthelifted
handuponapieceoflinenimmediatelyovertheheartofthedeceased,
andthoushaltpainttheotheroverhisbreastbutletnotthegodSukati
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whoisintheunderworldknowit."Ifthesethingsbedone,"the
deceasedshall
p.123
drinkwaterfromthesourceofthestream,andheshallshinelikethe
starsintheheavensabove."ItisprobablethatChaptersCLXIL
CLXV.werecomposedatacomparativelylatedate.
YetanotherexampleofthemagicalpicturesoftheBookoftheDead
mustherebegiven.ThevignetteofChapterCXLVIII.contains
picturesofsevencows"andtheirbull,"andoffourrudderstheseven
cowshavereferencetothesevenHathorgoddesses,thebullis,of
course,aformofR,andthefourruddersrefertothefourquartersof
theearthandtothefourcardinalpoints.ThetextoftheChapter
containsthenamesofthecowsandofthebull,andoftherudders,and
certainprayersforsepulchral.offerings.Nowthedeceasedwouldbe
providedwith"abundanceoffoodregularlyandcontinuallyforever,"
ifthefollowingthingsweredoneforhim.Figuresofthecowsandof
theirbullandoftheruddersweretobepaintedincoloursuponaboard
(?),andwhenR,theSungod,roseuponthemthefriendsofthe
deceasedweretoplaceofferingsbeforethemtheseofferingswouldbe
receivedmysticallybythegodsandgoddesseswhomthefigures
represented,andinreturntheywouldbestowuponthedeceasedallthe
offeringsorgiftsofmeatanddrinkwhichhewouldrequire.Moreover,
"ifthisbedone,"wearetold,"Rshallbearudderforthedeceased,
andheshallbeastrengthprotectinghim,andheshallmakeanendof
allhisenemiesfor
p.124
himintheunderworld,andinheaven,anduponearth,andinevery
placewhereverhemayenter."
Wehaveseenabove,inthedescriptionoftheamuletswhichthe
Egyptiansused,howboththesubstanceoftheamuletandthewords
whichwereinscribeduponitpossessedmagicalpowers,butwemay
learnfromseveralinstancesgiveninthepapyrithatthewrittenwords
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aloneweresufficientinsomecasestoproduceremarkableeffects.This
is,ofcourse,averynaturaldevelopment,andcharmsorwordsof
powerwhichneedednothingbuttobewrittenonpapyrusorlinento
produceamagicaleffectwouldbepopularwithallclassesofmenand
women,andespeciallyamongthepoorandtheignorant.Thewritten
wordhasbeenregardedintheEastwithreverencefromtime
immemorial,andacopyofasacredwritingortextiswornorcarried
abouttothisdaywithmuchthesameideasandbeliefsaboutitspower
toprotectasintheearliesttimes.InancientEgyptthewholeBookof
theDead,aswellasthevarioussectionsofitwhichareusuallycopied
onpapyri,consistedofaseriesof"wordsofpower,"andthemodern
EgyptianlooksupontheKoraninthesamelightashisancestorlooked
upontheolderwork.Acuriouspassageinthetextinscribedonthe
insideofthepyramidofUnasreads(1.583),"Theboneandflesh
whichpossessnowritingarewretched,but,behold,thewritingof
Unasisunderthegreatseal,andbehold,itisnotunderthelittleseal."
Itis
p.125
difficulttoexplainthepassagefully,butthereisnodoubtthatwehave
hereanallusiontothecustomofplacingwritingsbelievedtobe
possessedofmagicalpowerswiththedead.Certainpassagesor
sectionsofthereligiousbooksofancientnationshavealwaysbeen
heldtobeofmoreimportancethanothers,andconsideringthegreat
lengthofsuchcompositionsthisisnottobewonderedat.Amongthe
EgyptianstwoformsoftheLXIVthChapteroftheBookoftheDead
wereinuse,andthereisnodoubtwhateverthattheshorterform,asfar
backastheIstdynasty,aboutB.C.4300,wasintendedtobea
summaryofthewholework,andthattherecitalofitwasheldtobeas
efficaciousastherecitalofalltherestofit.1Itisaremarkablefactthat
thisformiscalled"TheChapterofknowingthe'ChaptersofComing
ForthbyDay'inasingleChapter,"andthatitisdeclaredtodatefrom
thetimeofHesepti,akingoftheIstdynasty,aboutB.C.4300,whilst
the"finding"ofthelongerformisattributedtothereignofMenkau
R(Mycerinus),akingoftheIVthdynasty,aboutB.C.3600.Itis
interestingtonotehowpersistentlycertainchaptersandformuloccur
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infuneralpapyriofdifferentperiods,andtheexplanationseemstobe
thatapopularselectionwasmadeatanearlydate,andthatthis
selectionwas
p.126
copiedwithsuchadditionsoromissionsasthemeansofthefriendsof
thedeceasedallowedormadenecessary.Onethingisquitecertain:
everymaninEgyptdiedinthefirmbeliefthatinthecourseofhis
journeyintothenextworldhewouldbeprovidedwithwordsofpower
whichwouldenablehimtomakehiswaythitherunhindered,andgive
himabundanceofmeatanddrink.Wemayseethisviewwhichwas
heldconcerningwordsofpowerfromthefollowingpassages:"May
Thoth,whoisfilledandfurnishedwithwordsofpower,comeand
loosethebandages,eventhebandagesofSetwhichfettermymouth..
..Nowasconcerningthewordsofpowerandallthewordswhichmay
bespokenagainstme,maythegodsresistthem,andmayeachand
everyoneofthecompanyofthegodswithstandthem."1"Behold,I
gathertogetherthewordofpowerfromwhereveritis,andfromany
personwithwhomitis,swifterthangreyhoundsandquickerthan
light."2Tothecrocodilewhichcomethtocarryofffromthedeceased
hiswordsofpowerhesays,"Gettheeback,return,gettheeback,thou
crocodilefiendSui!Thoushaltnotadvancetome,forIlivebyreason
ofthewordsofpowerwhichIhavewithme....Heavenhathpower
overitsseasons,andthewordsofpowerhavedominionoverthat
whichtheypossessmymouththereforeshallhavepoweroverthe
wordsofpowerwhichare
p.127
therein."1"Iamclothed(?)andamwhollyprovidedwiththymagical
words,OR,thewhichareintheheavenaboveme,andintheearth
beneathMe."2TothetwoSisterMertgoddessesthedeceasedsays,
"Mymessagetoyouismywordsofpower.IshinefromtheSektet
boat,IamHorusthesonofIsis,andIhavecometoseemyfather
Osiris."3"Ihavebecomeaspiritinmyforms,Ihavegainedthe
masteryovermywordsofpower,anditisdecreedformetobea
spirit."4"Hail,thouthatcuttestoffheads,andslittestbrows,thouwho
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puttestawaythememoryofevilthingsfromthemouthofthespiritsby
meansofthewordsofpowerwhichtheyhavewithinthem,...letnot
mymouthbeshutfastbyreasonofthewordsofpowerwhichthou
hastwithinthee....Gettheeback,anddepartbeforethewordswhich
thegoddessIsisutteredwhenthoudidstcometocasttherecollection
ofevilthingsintothemouthofOsiris."5OntheamuletoftheBuckle
wehaveinscribedthewords,"MaythebloodofIsis,andthepowersof
Isis,andthewordsofpowerofIsisbemightytoprotectthismighty
one,"etc.,andintheaddresswhichThothmakestoOsirishesays,"I
amThoth,thefavouredoneofR,thelordofmight,whobringethtoa
prosperousendthatwhichhedoeth,themightyoneofwordsofpower,
whoisintheboatof
p.128
millionsofyears,thelordoflaws,thesubduerofthetwolands,"etc.1
Fromtheabovepassageswenotonlylearnhowgreatwasthe
confidencewhichthedeceasedplacedinhiswordsofpower,butalso
thatthesourcesfromwhichtheysprangwerethegodsThothandIsis.
ItwillberememberedthatThothiscalledthe"scribeofthegods,"the
"lordofwriting,"the"masterofpapyrus,"themakerofthepaletteand
theinkjar,"the"lordofdivinewords,"i.e.,theholywritingsor
scriptures,andashewasthelordofbooksandmasterofthepowerof
speech,hewasconsideredtobethepossessorofallknowledgeboth
humananddivine.Atthecreationoftheworlditwashewhoreduced
towordsthewilloftheunseenandunknowncreativePower,andwho
utteredtheminsuchwisethattheuniversecameintobeing,anditwas
hewhoprovedhimselfbytheexerciseofhisknowledgetobethe
protectorandfriendofOsiris,andofIsis,andoftheirsonHorus.From
theevidenceofthetextsweknowthatitwasnotbyphysicalmight
thatThothhelpedthesethreegods,butbygivingthemwordsofpower
andinstructingthemhowtousethem.WeknowthatOsiris
vanquishedhisfoes,andthathereconstitutedhisbody,andbecamethe
kingoftheunderworldandgodofthedead,buthewasonlyabletodo
thesethingsbymeansofthewordsofpowerwhichThothhadgivento
him,
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andwhichhehadtaughthimtopronounceproperlyandinaproper
toneofvoice.Itisthisbeliefwhichmakesthedeceasedcryout,"Hail,
Thoth,whomadestOsirisvictoriousoverhisenemies,makethouAni
tobevictoriousoverhisenemiesinthepresenceofthegreatand
sovereignprinceswhoareinTattu,"orinanyotherplace.Withoutthe
wordsofpowergiventohimbyThoth,Osiriswouldhavebeen
powerlessundertheattacksofhisfoes,andsimilarlythedeadman,
whowasalwaysidentifiedwithOsiris,wouldhavepassedoutof
existenceathisdeathbutforthewordsofpowerprovidedbythe
writingsthatwereburiedwithhim.IntheJudgmentSceneitisThoth
whoreportstothegodstheresultoftheweighingoftheheartinthe
balance,andwhohassupplieditsownerwiththewordswhichhehas
utteredinhissupplications,andwhatevercanbesaidinfavourofthe
deceasedhesaystothegods,andwhatevercanbedoneforhimhe
does.ButapartfrombeingtheprotectorandfriendofOsiris,Thoth
wastherefugetowhichIsisfledinhertrouble.Thewordsofahymn
declarethatsheknew"howtoturnasideevilhap,"andthatshewas
"strongoftongue,andutteredthewordsofpowerwhichsheknew
withcorrectpronunciation,andhaltednotinherspeech,andwas
perfectbothingivingthecommandandinsayingtheword,"1butthis
descriptiononly
p.130
provesthatshehadbeeninstructedbyThothintheartofuttering
wordsofpowerwitheffect,andtohim,indeed,sheowedmorethan
this.WhenshefoundthedeadbodyofherhusbandOsiris,shehovered
aboutoveritintheformofabird,makingairbythebeatingofher
wings,andsendingforthlightfromthesheenofherfeathers,andat
lengthsherousedthedeadtolifebyherwordsofpowerastheresult
oftheembracewhichfollowedthismeetingHoruswasborn,andhis
mothersuckledhimandtendedhiminherhidingplaceinthepapyrus
swamps.AfteratimeshewaspersecutedbySet,herhusband's
murderer,who,itseems,shutherandhersonHorusupinahouseas
prisoners.Owing,however,tothehelpwhichThothgaveher,she
cameforthbynightandwasaccompaniedonherjourneybyseven
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scorpions,1calledrespectivelyTefen,Befen,Mestet,Mestetef,Petet,
Thetet,andMatet,thelastthreeofwhichpointedouttheway.The
guideofthewaybroughthertotheswampsofPersui,2andtothe
townofthetwogoddessesofthesandalswheretheswampycountryof
Athubegins.JourneyingontheycametoTeb,3wherethechiefofthe
districthadahouseforhisladiesnowthemistressofthehousewould
not
p.131
admitIsisonaccountofthescorpionsthatwerewithher,forshehad
lookedoutofherdoorandwatchedIsiscoming.Onthisthescorpions
tookcounseltogetherandwishedtostingherbymeansofthescorpion
Tefen,butatthismomentapoorwomanwholivedinthemarshes
openedthedoorofhercottagetoIsis,andthegoddesstookshelter
therein.Meanwhilethescorpionhadcreptunderthedoorintothe
houseofthegovernor,andstungthesonoftheladyofthehouse,and
alsosettheplaceonfirenowatercouldquenchthefire,andtherewas
noraintodoit,foritwasnotthentherainyseason.Nowthesethings
happenedtothewomanwhohaddonenoactiveharmtoIsis,andthe
poorcreaturewanderedaboutthestreetsofthecityutteringloudcries
ofgriefanddistressbecausesheknewnotwhetherherboywouldlive
ordie.
WhenIsissawthisshewassorryforthechildwhohadbeenstung,and
ashewasblamelessinthematterofthedoorofhismother'shouse
beingshutinthefaceofthegoddess,shedeterminedtosavehim.
Thereuponshecriedouttothedistraughtmother,saying,"Cometo
me,cometome!Formywordisatalismanwhichbearethlife.Iama
daughterwellknowninthycityalso,andIwilldoawaytheevilby
meansofthewordofmymouthwhichmyfatherhathtaughtme,forI
amthedaughterofhisownbody."ThenIsislaidherhandsuponthe
bodyoftheboy,and
p.132
inordertobringbackthespiritintohisbodysaid
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"ComeTefen,appearupontheground,departhence,comenotnigh!
"ComepoisonofBefen,appearupontheground.IamIsis,the
goddess,theladyofwordsofpower,whodoethdeedsofmagic,the
wordsofwhosevoicearecharms.
"Obeyme,Oeveryreptilethatstingeth,andfalldownheadlong!
"Opoisonof[Mestetand]Mestetef,mountnotupwards!
"OpoisonofPetetandThetet,drawnotnigh!OMatet,falldown
headlong!"
ThegoddessIsisthenutteredcertainwordsofthecharmwhichhad
beengiventoherbythegodSebinordertokeeppoisonawayfrom
her,andsaid,"Turnaway,getaway,retreat,Opoison,"addingthe
words"MerR"inthemorningand"TheEggoftheGooseappeareth
fromoutofthesycamore"intheevening,assheturnedtothe
scorpions.Boththesesentencesweretalismans.AfterthisIsis
lamentedthatshewasmorelonelyandwretchedthanallthepeopleof
Egypt,andthatshehadbecomelikeanoldmanwhohathceasedto
lookuponandtovisitfairwomenintheirhousesandsheorderedthe
scorpionstoturnawaytheirlooksfromherandtoshowherthewayto
themarshesandtothesecretplacewhichisinthecityof
p.133
Khebt.Thenthewordsofthecry,"Theboyliveth,the
poisondieth!Asthesunliveth,sothepoisondieth,"wereuttered,and
thefireinthehouseofthewomanwasextinguished,andheaven
rejoicedatthewordsofIsis.WhenIsishadsaidthatthe"sonofthe
womanhadbeenstungbecausehismotherhadshutthedoorofher
houseinherface,andhaddonenothingforher,"thewordsofthecry,
"Theboylivethandthepoisondieth,"wereagainuttered,andtheson
ofthewomanrecovered.
Isisthencontinueshernarrativethus:"IIsisconceivedachild,and
wasgreatwithchildofHorus.I,agoddess,gavebirthtoHorus,the
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sonofIsis,uponanisland(ornest)inAthutheregionofswampsand
Irejoicedgreatlybecauseofthis,forIregardedHorusasagiftwhich
wouldrepaymeforthelossofhisfather.Ihidhimmostcarefullyand
concealedhiminmyanxiety,andindeedhewaswellhidden,andthen
IwentawaytothecityofAm.WhenIhadsalutedtheinhabitants
thereofIturnedbacktoseekthechild,sothatImightgivehimsuck
andtakehiminmyarmsagain.ButIfoundmysuckingchildHorus
thefairgoldenone,wellnighdead!Hehadbedewedthegroundwith
thewaterfromhiseyeandwiththefoamfromhislips,hisbodywas
stiff,hisheartwasstill,andnomuscleinanyofhislimbsmoved.1
ThenIutteredabittercry
p.134
ofgrief,andthedwellersinthepapyrusswampsrantomestraightway
fromoutoftheirhouses,andtheybewailedthegreatnessofmy
calamitybutnoneofthemopenedhismouthtospeak,foreveryone
wasindeepsorrowforme,andnomanknewhowtobringbacklife
intoHorus.Thentherecametomeacertainwomanwhowaswell
knowninhercity,forshebelongedtoanoblefamily,andshetriedto
rekindlethelifeinHorus,butalthoughherheartwasfullofher
knowledgemysonremainedmotionless."Meanwhilethefolk
remarkedthatthesonofthedivinemotherIsishadbeenprotected
againsthisbrotherSet,thattheplantsamongwhichhehadbeen
hiddencouldnotbepenetratedbyanyhostilebeing,thatthewordsof
powerofTemu,thefatherofthegods,"whoisinheaven,"shouldhave
preservedthelifeofHorus,thatSethisbrothercouldnotpossiblyhave
hadaccesstowherethechildwas,who,inanycase,hadbeen
protectedagainsthiswickednessandatlengthitwasdiscoveredthat
Horushadbeenstungbyascorpion,andthatthereptile"which
destroyeth
p.135
theheart"hadwoundedhim,andhadprobablykilledhim.
AtthisjunctureNephthysarrived,andwentroundaboutamongthe
papyrusswampsweepingbitterlybecauseoftheafflictionofhersister
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IsiswithheralsowasSerqet,thegoddessofscorpions,whoasked
continually,"WhathathhappenedtothechildHorus?"ThenNephthys
saidtoIsis,"Cryoutinprayeruntoheaven,andletthemarinersinthe
boatofRceasetorow,andletnottheboatofRmovefurtheronits
courseforthesakeofthechildHorus"andforthwithIsissentforth
hercryuptoheaven,andmadeherrequestcomeuntothe"Boatof
millionsofyears,"andtheSunstoodstillandhisboatmovednotfrom
itsplacebyreasonofthegoddess'spetition.Outfromtheboatcame
thegodThothprovidedwithmagicalpowers,andbearingwithhimthe
greatpowertocommandinsuchwisethatthewordsofhismouthmust
befulfilledstraightwayandhespaketoIsis,saying"Othougoddess
Isis,whosemouthknowethhowtouttercharms(ortalismans),no
sufferingshallcomeuponthychildHorus,forhishealthandsafety
dependupontheboatofR.Ihavecomethisdayinthedivineboatof
theDisk(Aten)totheplacewhereitwasyesterday.Whendarkness(or
night)ruleth,thelightshallvanquishitforthehealth(orsafety)of
HorusforthesakeofhismotherIsisandsimilarlyshallithappenunto
everyonewho
p.136
possessethwhatis[here]written(?)."Whattookplacenextis,of
course,evident.ThechildHoruswasrestoredtolife,tothegreatjoyof
hismotherIsis,whowasmoreindebtedthanevertothegodThothfor
comingtodeliverheroutofhertroubleonthedeathofherson,justas
hehaddoneonthedeathofherhusband.NowbecauseIsishad
revivifiedbothherhusbandandhersonbythewordsofpowerand
talismanswhichshepossessed,mortalmanthoughtitwasabsolutely
necessaryforhimtosecureherfavourandprotectionatanycost,for
eternallifeanddeathwereinherhands.AstimewentontheEgyptians
reveredhermoreandmore,andasshewastheladyofthegodsandof
heaven,powerequaltothatpossessedbyRhimselfwasascribedto
her.Indeed,accordingtoalegendwhichhascomedowntous,and
whichwrittenuponpapyrusorlinenformedamagicalformulaagainst
thepoisonofreptilesofallkinds,shemadeaboldattempttowrestthe
powerofRfromhimandtomakeherselfmistressoftheuniverse.
Thewayinwhichshedidthisistoldinahieraticpapyruspreservedat
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Turin,1fromwhichthefollowingrenderinghasbeenmadethemerit
offirstdiscoveringthecorrectmeaningofthetextbelongstoM.
Lefbure.
p.137
THELEGENDOFRANDISIS.
"TheChapterofthedivinegod,theselfcreatedbeing)whomadethe
heavensandtheearth,andthewinds[whichgive]life,andthefire,
andthegods,andmen,andbeasts,andcattle,andreptiles,andthe
fowloftheairandthefishoftheseaheisthekingofmenandof
gods,hehathoneperiodoflife(?)andwithhimperiodsofone
hundredandtwentyyearseacharebutasyearshisnamesare
manifoldandunknown,thegodsevenknowthemnot.
"NowIsiswasawomanwhopossessedwordsofpowerherheartwas
weariedwiththemillionsofmen,thereforeshechosethemillionsof
thegods,butsheesteemedmorehighlythemillionsofthespirits
(khu).Andshemeditatedinherheart,saying,'CannotIbymeansof
thesacrednameofGodmakemyselfmistressoftheearthandbecome
agoddesslikeuntoRinheavenanduponearth?'Nowbehold,each
dayRenteredattheheadofhisholymarinersandestablishedhimself
uponthethroneofthetwohorizons.Nowthedivineone(i.e.,R)had
grownold,hedribbledatthemouth,hisspittlefellupontheearth,and
hisslobberingdroppedupontheground.AndIsiskneadeditwithearth
inherhand,andformedthereofasacredserpentintheformofadart
shedidnotsetituprightbeforeherface,butletitlieupontheground
inthepath
p.138
wherebythegreatgodwentforth,accordingtohisheartsdesire,into
hisdoublekingdom.Nowtheholygodarose,andthegodswho
followedhimasthoughhewerePharaohwentwithhimandhecame
forthaccordingtohisdailywontandthesacredserpentbithim.The
flameoflifedepartedfromhim,andhewhodweltamongthecedars
(?)wasovercome.Theholygodopenedhismouth,andthecryofhis
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majestyreacheduntoheavenhiscompanyofgodssaid,'Whathath
happened?'andhisgodsexclaimed,'Whatisit?'ButRcouldnot
answer,forhisjawstrembledandallhismembersquakedthepoison
spreadswiftlythroughhisfleshjustastheNilerusheththroughallhis
land.Whenthegreatgodhadstablishedhisheart,hecrieduntothose
whowereinhistrain,saying,'Comeuntome,Oyewhohavecome
intobeingfrommybody,yegodswhohavecomeforthfromme,
makeyeknownuntoKheperathatadirecalamityhathfallenuponme.
Myheartperceivethit,butmyeyesseeitnotmyhandhathnotcaused
it,nordoIknowwhohathdonethisuntome.NeverhaveIfeltsuch
pain,neithercansicknesscausemorewoethanthis.Iamaprince,the
sonofaprince,thesacredessencewhichhathproceededfromGod.I
amthegreatone,thesonofthegreatone,andmyfatherplannedmy
nameIhavemultitudesofnamesandmultitudesofforms,andmy
beingisineverygod.Ihavebeen
p.139
proclaimedbytheheraldsTemuandHorus,andmyfatherandmy
motherutteredmynamebutithathbeenhiddenwithinmebyhimthat
begatme,whowouldnotthatthewordsofpowerofanyseershould
havedominionoverme.IcameforthtolookuponthatwhichIhad
made,IwaspassingthroughtheworldwhichIhadcreated,whenlo!
somethingstungme,butwhatIknownot.Isitfire?Isitwater?My
heartisonfire,myfleshquaketh,andtremblinghathseizedallmy
limbs.Lettherebebroughtuntomemychildren,thegods,who
possessthewordsofpowerandmagicalspeech,andmouthswhich
knowhowtoutterthem,andalsopowerswhichreachevenuntothe
heavens.Thenthechildrenofeverygodcameuntohimutteringcries
ofgrief.AndIsisalsocame,bringingwithherherwordsofmagical
power,andhermouthwasfullofthebreathoflifeforhertalismans
vanquishthepainsofsickness,andherwordsmaketoliveagainthe
throatsofthosewhoaredead.Andshespake,saying,'Whathathcome
topass,OholyFather?Whathathhappened?Isitthataserpenthath
bittenthee,andthatathingwhichthouhastcreatedhathlifteduphis
headagainstthee?Verilyitshallbecastdownbymyeffectivewords
ofpower,andIwilldriveitawayfrombeforethesightofthy
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sunbeams.'Theholygodopenedhismouthandsaid,Iwaspassing
alongmypath,andIwasgoing
p.140
throughthetworegionsofmylandsaccordingtomyheartsdesire,to
seethatwhichIhadcreated,whenlo!IwasbittenbyaserpentwhichI
sawnot.Isitfire?Isitwater?Iamcolderthanwater,Iamhotterthan
fire.Allmyfleshsweateth,Iquake,myeyehathnostrength,Icannot
seethesky,andthesweatrushethtomyfaceevenasinthetimeof
summer.'ThensaidIsisuntoR,'Otellmethyname,holyFather,for
whosoevershallbedeliveredbythynameshalllive.'AndRsaid,'I
havemadetheheavensandtheearth,Ihaveknittogetherthe
mountains,Ihavecreatedallthatisabovethem,Ihavemadethe
water,IhavemadetocomeintobeingthegoddessMehturt,andI
havemadetheBullofhismother,fromwhomspringthedelightsof
love.Ihavemadetheheavens,Ihavestretchedoutthetwohorizons
likeacurtain,andIhaveplacedthesoulofthegodswithinthem.Iam
hewho,ifheopenethhiseyes,dothmakethelight,and,ifhecloseth
them,darknesscomethintobeing.AthiscommandtheNileriseth,and
thegodsknownothisname.Ihavemadethehours,Ihavecreatedthe
days,Ibringforwardthefestivalsoftheyear,IcreatetheNileflood.I
makethefireoflife,andIprovidefoodinthehouses.IamKheperain
themorning,IamRatnoon,andIamTemuateven.'Meanwhilethe
poisonwasnottakenawayfromhisbody,butitpierceddeeper,and
thegreatgodcouldnolongerwalk.
p.141
"ThensaidIsisuntoR,'Whatthouhastsaidisnotthyname.Otellit
untome,andthepoisonshalldepartforheshalllivewhosename
shallberevealed!Nowthepoisonburnedlikefire,anditwasfiercer
thantheflameandthefurnace,andthemajestyofthegreatgodsaid,'I
consentthatIsisshallsearchintome,andthatmynameshallpass
frommeintoher.'Thenthegodhidhimselffromthegods,andhis
placeintheBoatofMillionsofYearswasempty.Andwhenthetime
hadarrivedfortheheartofRtocomeforth,Isisspakeuntoherson
Horus,saying,'Thegodhathboundhimselfbyoathtodeliveruphis
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twoeyes(i.e.,thesunandmoon).'Thuswasthenameofthegreatgod
takenfromhim,andIsis,theladyofwordsofmagicalpower,said,
'Depart,poison,goforthfromEa.OEyeofHorus,goforthfromthe
god,andshineoutsidehismouth.ItisIwhowork,itisIwhomaketo
falldownupontheearththevanquishedpoison,forthenameofthe
greatgodhathbeentakenawayfromhim.LetRlive,andletthe
poisondie!Letthepoisondie,andletRlive!'Thesearethewordsof
Isis,themightylady,themistressofthegods,whoknewRbyhis
ownname."
Nowfromafewwordsoftextwhichfollowtheabovenarrativewe
learnthattheobjectofwritingitwasnotsomuchtoinstructthereader
astomakeamagicformula,forwearetoldthatitwastoberecited
over
p.142
figuresofTemuandHorus,andIsisandHorus,thatistosay,over
figuresofTemutheeveningsun,HorustheElder,Horusthesonof
Isis,andIsisherself.TemuapparentlytakestheplaceofR,forhe
representsthesunasanoldman,i.e.,R,atthecloseofhisdailylife
whenhehaslosthisstrengthandpower.Thetextisacharmor
magicalformulaagainstsnakebites,anditwasthoughtthatthewritten
letters,whichrepresentedthewordsofIsis,wouldsavethelifeofany
onewhowassnakebitten,justastheysavedthelifeofR.Ifthefull
directionsastotheuseofthefiguresofTemu,Isis,andthetwoHorus
gods,wereknownuntousweshouldprobablyfindthattheywereto
bemadetoactindumbshowthesceneswhichtookplacebetweenR,
andIsiswhenthegoddesssucceededintakingfromhimhisname.
ThuswehaveampleevidencethatIsispossessedmarvellousmagical
powers,andthisbeingso,theissuesoflifeanddeath,asfarasthe
deceasedwasconcerned,weknowfromthetextstohavebeeninher
hands.Herwordsofpower,too,wereapricelesspossession,forshe
obtainedthemfromThoth,whowasthepersonificationofthemind
andintelligenceoftheCreator,andthustheiroriginwasdivine,and
fromthispointofviewwereinspired.
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FromapapyrusofthePtolemaicperiodweobtainsomeinteresting
factsaboutthegreatskillinworkingmagicandabouttheknowledge
ofmagicalformul
p.143
whichwerepossessedbyaprincecalledSetnauKhemUast.He
knewhowtousethepowersofamuletsandtalismans,andhowto
composemagicalformul,andhewasmasterbothofreligious
literatureandofthatofthe"doublehouseoflife,"orlibraryofmagical
books.Onedayashewastalkingofsuchthingsoneoftheking'swise
menlaughedathisremarks,andinanswerSetnausaid,"Ifthou
wouldstreadabookpossessedofmagicalpowerscomewithme.andI
willshowittothee,thebookwaswrittenbyThothhimself,andinit
therearetwoformul.Therecitalofthefirstwillenchant(orbewitch)
heaven,earth,hell,sea,andmountains,andbyitthoushaltseeallthe
birds,reptiles,andfish,foritspowerwillbringthefishtothetopof
thewater.Therecitalofthesecondwillenableamanifhebeinthe
tombtotaketheformwhichhehaduponearth,"etc.Whenquestioned
astowherethebookwas,SetnausaidthatitwasinthetombofPtah
neferkaatMemphis.AlittlelaterSetnauwenttherewithhisbrother
andpassedthreedaysandthreenightsinseekingforthetombofPtah
neferka,andonthethirddaytheyfounditSetnaurecitedsomewords
overit,andtheearthopenedandtheywentdowntotheplacewhere
thebookwas.Whenthetwobrotherscameintothetombtheyfoundit
tobebrilliantlylitupbythelightwhichcameforthfromthebookand
whentheylookedtheysawnotonlyPtahneferka,buthiswifeAhura,
andMerhutheir
p.144
son.NowAhuraandMerhuwereburiedatCoptosbuttheirdoubles
hadcometolivewithPtahneferkabymeansofthemagicalpowerof
Thoth.Setnautoldthemthathehadcometotakeawaythebook,but
Ahurabeggedhimnottodoso,andrelatedtohimthemisfortunes
whichhadalreadyfollowedthepossessionofit.Shewas,itseems,the
sisterofPtahneferkawhomshemarried,andafterthebirthofherson
Merhu,herhusbandseemedtodevotehimselfexclusivelytothestudy
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ofmagicalbooks,andonedayapriestofPtahpromisedtotellhim
wherethemagicalbookdescribedabovemightbefoundifhewould
givehimahundredpiecesofsilver,andprovidehimwithtwo
handsomecoffins.Whenthemoneyandthecoffinshadbeengivento
him,thepriestofPtahtoldPtahneferkathatthebookwasinaniron
boxinthemiddleoftheriveratCoptos."Theironboxisinabronze
box,thebronzeboxisinaboxofpalmtreewood,thepalmtreewood
boxisinaboxofebonyandivory,theebonyandivoryboxisina
silverbox,thesilverboxisinagoldbox,andinthegold(sic)boxlies
thebook.Theboxwhereinisthebookissurroundedbyswarmsof
serpentsandscorpionsandreptilesofallkinds,androunditiscoileda
serpentwhichcannotdie."Ptahneferkatoldhiswifeandtheking
whathehadheard,andatlengthsetoutforCoptoswithAhuraand
MerhuintheroyalbargehavingarrivedatCoptoshewenttothe
templeofIsisandHarpocratesandofferedup
p.145
asacrificeandpouredoutalibationtothesegods.Fivedayslaterthe
highpriestofCoptosmadeforhimthemodelofafloatingstageand
figuresofworkmenprovidedwithtoolshethenrecitedwordsof
poweroverthemandtheybecameliving,breathingmen,andthe
searchfortheboxbegan.Havingworkedforthreedaysandthree
nightstheycametotheplacewheretheboxwas.Ptahneferka
dispersedtheserpentsandscorpionswhichwereroundaboutthenest
ofboxesbyhiswordsofpower,andtwicesucceededinkillingthe
serpentcoiledroundthebox,butitcametolifeagainthethirdtimehe
cutitintotwopieces,andlaidsandbetweenthem,andthistimeitdid
nottakeitsoldformagain.Hethenopenedtheboxesoneafterthe
other,andtakingoutthegoldboxwiththebookinsideitcarrieditto
theroyalbarge.Henextreadoneofthetwoformula,initandso
enchantedorbewitchedtheheavensandtheearththathelearnedall
theirsecretshereadthesecondandhesawthesunrisinginthe
heavenswithhiscompanyofthegods,etc.HiswifeAhurathenread
thebookandsawallthatherhusbandhadseen.Ptahneferkathen
copiedthewritingsonapieceofnewpapyrus,andhavingcoveredthe
papyruswithincensedissolveditinwateranddrankitthushe
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acquiredtheknowledgewhichwasinthemagicalbook.Meanwhile
theseactshadstirredthegodThothtowrath,andhetoldRwhat
Ptahneferkahaddone.Asaresultthedecree
p.146
wentforththatPtahneferkaandhiswifeandchildshouldnever
returntoMemphis,andonthewaybacktoCoptosAhuraandMerhu
fellintotheriverandweredrownedandwhilereturningtoMemphis
withthebookPtahneferkahimselfwasdrownedalso.Setnau,
however,refusedtobedivertedfromhispurpose,andheinsistedon
havingthebookwhichhesawinthepossessionofPtahneferkathe
latterthenproposedtoplayagameofdraughtsandtoletthewinner
havethebook.Thegamewasforfiftytwopoints,andalthoughPtah
neferkatriedtocheatSetnau,helostthegame.AtthisjunctureSetnau
senthisbrotherAnhaherurauuptotheearthtobringhimhistalismans
ofPtahandhisothermagicalwritings,andwhenhereturnedhelaid
themuponSetnau,whostraightwayflewuptoheavengraspingthe
wonderfulbookinhishand.Ashewentupfromthetomblightwent
beforehim,andthedarknessclosedinbehindhimbutPtahneferka
saidtohiswife,"Iwillmakehimbringbackthisbooksoon,witha
knifeandarodinhishandandavesseloffireuponhishead."Ofthe
bewitchmentofSetnaubyabeautifulwomancalledTabubuandofhis
troublesinconsequencethereofweneedmakenomentionhere:itis
sufficienttosaythatthekingorderedhimtotakethebookbacktoits
place,andthattheprophecyofPtahneferkawasfulfilled.1
p.147
1nconnexionwiththesubjectofthemagicalpowersofIsismustbe
brieflymentionedthecurioussmallstel,withroundedtops,onthe
frontofwhichareinscribedfiguresofthegodHorusstandingupon
crocodiles:theyareusuallyknownas"cippiofHorus."Thelargestand
finestexampleofthisremarkableclassofobjectisthefamous
"Metternichstele,"whichwasfoundintheyear1828duringthe
buildingofacisterninaFranciscanmonasteryinAlexandria,andwas
presentedbyMuhammadAliPashatoPrinceMetternich.Weare
fortunatelyenabledtodatethestele,forthenameofNectanebusI.,the
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lastbutoneofthenativekingsofEgypt,whoreignedfromB.C.378to
B.C.360,occursonit,andweknowfrommanysourcesthatsucha
monumentcouldhavebeenproducedonlyaboutthisperiod.Fromthe
twoillustrationsofitheregivenweseethatitisbothsculpturedand
engravedwithfiguresofmanyofthegodsofancientEgypt,godswell
knownfromthemonumentsoftheearlierdynasties,andalsowith
figuresofaseriesofdemonsandmonstersandanimalswhichhave
bothmythologicalandmagicalimportance.Manyoftheseare
accompaniedbytextscontainingmagicalformul,
p.148
magicalnames,andmythologicalallusions.Intheprincipalscenewe
seeHorus,orHarpocrates,standingupontwocrocodilesonhisbrow
istheuraeus,andhewearsontherightsideofhisheadthelockofhair
emblematicofyouth.Inhishandshegraspsserpents,alion,andan
antelope,anditisclearbythelookonhisfacethatheisinnowise
afraidofthem.Abovehisheadisabeardedhead,whichisusuallysaid
torepresentthatofBes.Onhisrightare:(1)anutchat,1withhuman
handsandarms(2)HorusR,hawkheaded,andwearingthesun's
diskanduraeus,andstandingonaserpentcoiledup(3)Osiris,inthe
formofahawkstandinguponasceptre,andwearingtheatefcrown
(4)ThegoddessIsisstandinguponaserpentcoiledup(5)The
goddessNekhebet,intheformofavulture,standinguponapapyrus
sceptre.Onhisleftare:(1)Anutchatwithhumanhandsandarms(2)
apapyrusstandardwithplumesandmenats2(3)thegodThoth
standinguponaserpentcoiledup(4)thegoddessUatchet,intheform
ofaserpent,standinguponapapyrussceptre.NowHorustypifies
youthandstrengthandtherisingsun,andtheheadabovehim.is
probablyintendedtorepresentthatofR(orBes)asanoldmanthe
allusionhereisclearlytothegodwho"isoldateventideandwho
becomesyoungagain."Theutchatsandthefiguresofthegods
symbolizethesolarpowersandthedeities
p.149
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ClippusofHorus.(SeeMetternichstele,ed.Golnischeff,plate1.)
p.151
whoaremastersofthewordsofpower,bothintheSouthandinthe
North,bywhichtheyounggodHorusvanquishesallhostileanimals,
reptiles,andcreepingthingswhichliveinwaterandonland.Above
andaboutthissceneareseveralrowsoffiguresofgodsandsketchesof
mythologicalscenesmanyofwhichareevidentlytakenfromthe
vignettesoftheBookoftheDead,andtheobjectofallofthelatteris
toprovethatlightovercomesdarkness,thatgoodvanquishesevil,and
thatrenewedlifecomesafterdeath.Thetextswhichfillallthespaces
notoccupiedbyfiguresdescribecertainincidentsoftheeternalcombat
whichHoruswagesagainsthisbrotherSet,andtellthestoryofthe
wanderingsofIsiswithhersonHorusandofhersufferingsinthe
countryofthepapyrusSwamps,asketchofwhichwehavegiven
above(seepp.130136)besidesthese,prayerstocertaingodsare
introduced.Thewholemonumentisnothingbutatalisman,ora
giganticamuletengravedwithmagicalfiguresandwordsofpower,
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anditwas,undoubtedly,placedinsomeconspicuousplaceina
courtyardorinahousetoprotectthebuildinganditsinmatesfromthe
attacksofhostilebeings,visibleandinvisible,anditspowerwas
believedtobeinvincible.Thereisnotagodofanyimportancewhose
figureisnotonit,andthereisnotademon,orevilanimalorreptile,
whoisnotdepicteduponitinavanquishedstatetheknowledgeofthe
ancientEgyptianmythology
p.152
andtheskillshewnbythedesignerofthistalismanarevery
remarkable.ThesmallcippiofHoruscontainnothingbutextractsfrom
thescenesandtextswhichwefindonthe"Metternichstele,"andit,or
similarobjects,undoubtedlyformedthesourcefromwhichsomanyof
thefiguresofthestrangegodswhicharefoundonGnosticgemswere
derived.Certainofthefiguresofthegodsonthecippiwerecastin
bronzeinthePtolemaicandRomanperiods,orhewninstone,and
wereburiedintombsandunderthefoundationsofhousestodrive
awayanyofthefiendswhomightcometodoharmeithertotheliving
orthedead.
TheArabhistorianMas'dhaspreserved1acuriouslegendofthe
talismanswhichwereemployedbyAlexandertheGreattoprotectthe
cityofAlexandriawhilstitwasbeingbuilt,andasthelegendisof
Egyptianorigin,anddatesfromaperiodnotgreatlyremovedfromthat
inwhichtheMetternichstelewasmade,itisworthyofmention.When
thefoundationsofthecityhadbeenlaid,andthewallshadbegunto
riseup,certainsavageanimalscameupeachnightfromthesea,and
threwdowneverythingwhichhadbeenbuiltduringthedaywatchmen
wereappointedtodrivethemaway,butinspiteofthiseachmorning
sawtheworkdoneduringthepreviousdaydestroyed.Aftermuch
thoughtAlexanderdevisedaplanwherebyhe
p.153
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ClippusofHorus.(SeeMetternichstele,ed.Golnischeff,plate3.)
p.155
mightthwarttheseamonsters,andheproceededtocarryitintoeffect.
Hemadeaboxtencubitslongandfivecubitswidewithsidesmadeof
sheetsofglassfastenedintoframesbymeansofpitch,resin,etc.In
thisboxAlexanderplacedhimself,togetherwithtwoskilful
draughtsmen,andhavingbeencloseditwastowedouttoseabytwo
vesselsandwhenweightsofiron,lead,andstonehadbeenattachedto
theunderpartofit,itbegantosink,beingguidedtotheplacewhich
Alexanderwishedittoreachbymeansofcordswhichwereworked
fromtheships.Whentheboxtouchedthebottomofthesea,thanksto
theclearnessoftheglasssidesandthewaterofthesea,Alexanderand
histwocompanionswereabletowatchthevariousmarinemonsters
whichpassedby,andhesawthatalthoughtheyhadhumanbodiesthey
hadtheheadsofbeastssomehadaxes,somehadsaws,andsomehad
hammers,andtheyallcloselyresembledworkmen.Astheypassedin
frontoftheboxAlexanderandhistwodraughtsmencopiedtheirforms
uponpaperwithgreatexactness,anddepictedtheirhideous
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countenances,andstature,andshapethisdone,asignalwasmade,
andtheboxwasdrawnuptothesurface.AssoonasAlexander
reachedthelandheorderedhisstoneandmetalworkerstomake
reproductionsoftheseamonstersaccordingtothedrawingswhichhe
andhisfriendshadmade,andwhentheywerefinishedhecausedthem
tobesetuponpedestalsalongthe
p.156
seashore,andcontinuedhisworkofbuildingthecity.Whenthenight
came,theseamonstersappearedasusual,butassoonastheysawthat
figuresofthemselveshadbeenputupontheshoretheyreturnedat
oncetothewateranddidnotshewthemselvesagain.When,however,
thecityhadbeenbuiltandwasinhabited,theseamonstersmadetheir
appearanceagain,andeachmorningaconsiderablenumberofpeople
werefoundtobemissingtopreventthisAlexanderplacedtalismans
uponthepillarswhich,accordingtoMas'd,werethereinhisday.
Eachpillarwasintheshapeofanarrowandwaseightycubitsin
height,andresteduponaplinthofbrassthetalismanswereplacedat
theirbases,andwereintheformoffiguresorstatuesofcertainbeings
withsuitableinscriptions,andastheywereputinpositionaftercareful
astronomicalcalculationshadbeenmadeforthepurposewemay
assumethattheyproducedtheeffectdesiredbytheking.
Footnotes
109:1SeethevignettestoChaptersLIV.LX.oftheBookoftheDead.
110:2Ibid.,p.289.
111:2Ibid.,p.212.
111:3I.e.,CXXX.
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120:1Seeabove,p.55
125:1InasimilarwaytheArabsattachasmuchimportancetothe
Fatha,oropeningchapter,andtothechapterwhichdeclarestheUnity
ofGod(CXII.),astotherestoftheKoran.
126:1SeeChapterofComingForthbyDay,p.70.
126:2Ibid.,p.71
127:2Ibid.,p.81.
127:3Ibid.,p.87.
127:4Ibid.,p.129.
127:5Ibid.,p.150.
128:1SeeChaptersofComingforthbyDay,p.340f.
129:1Chabas,RevueArchologique,1857,p.65ff.Ledrain,
Monumentsgyptiens,pl.xxii.ff.andforarecenttranslationseemy
FirstStepsinEgyptian,pp.179188.
130:1ThestoryistoldonthefamousMetternichstele,ed.
Golnischeff,Leipzig,1877.
130:2I.e.,Crocodilopolis.
130:3Thecityofthetwosandals.Thetwosandalsweremadeof
leatherfromtheskinofthegodNehesorSet,theopponentofHorus.
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133:1Thisisanexactdescriptionofthestateofananimalwhichhasp.
134beenstungbythesmallblackscorpioninEgyptandtheSdn.I
sawColonelW.H.Drage'sdog"Shbra"bittenatMerwin
September,1897,byablackscorpion,andinaboutanhourshewasin
thestateofHorusasdescribedabove,andthewholecampwas
distressed,forbothmasteranddogweregreatfavourites.Whenitwas
nolongerpossibletoadministerspirittoher,MajorG.R.Griffithand
othersimmersedherbodyinpailsofveryhotwaterforseveralhours,
andatsundownshewasbreathingcomfortably,andshesoon
afterwardsrecovered.
136:1SeePleyteandRossi,LePapyrusdeTurin,18691876,pll.31
37,and131138seealsoLefbureingyptischeZeitshrift,1883,p.
27ff.Wiedemann,Religionderaliengypter,1890,p.29ff.and
myPapyrusofAni,1895,p.lxxxix.,andFirstStepsinEgyptian,1895,
pp.241256.
146:1FortranslationsseeBrugsch,LeRomandeSetnau(inRevuep.147
Archologique,2ndseries,Vol.xvi.,1867,p.161ff.)Maspero,
Contesgyptiens,Paris,1882,pp.4582RecordsofthePast,vol.iv.,
pp.129148andfortheoriginalDemotictextseeMariette,Les
PapyrusduMusedeBoulaq,tom.i.,1871,pll.2932Revillout,Le
RomandeSetna,Paris,1877Hess,RomanvonSfneHamus.Leipzig,
1888.
148:1Seeabove,p.55.
148:2Seeabove,p.60.
152:1SeeLesPrairiesd'Or,ed.B.deMeynardandPavetde
Courteille,Paris,1861,tom.ii.p.425ff.
Next:ChapterV.MagicalNames
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CHAPTERV.
MAGICALNAMES.
THEEgyptians,likemostOrientalnations,attachedverygreat
importancetotheknowledgeofnames,andtheknowledgeofhowto
useandtomakementionofnameswhichpossessedmagicalpowers
wasanecessitybothforthelivingandthedead.Itwasbelievedthatif
amanknewthenameofagodoradevil,andaddressedhimbyit,he
wasboundtoanswerhimandtodowhateverhewishedandthe
possessionoftheknowledgeofthenameofamanenabledhis
neighbourtodohimgoodorevil.Thenamethatwastheobjectofa
cursebroughtdowneviluponitsowner,andsimilarlythenamethat
wastheobjectofablessingorprayerforbenefitssecuredforitsmaster
manygoodthings.TotheEgyptianthenamewasasmuchapartofa
man'sbeingashissoul,orhisdouble(KA),orhisbody,anditisquite
certainthatthisviewwasheldbyhimintheearliesttimes.Thusinthe
textwhichisinscribedonthewallsinside1thepyramid
p.158
ofPepiL,kingofEgyptaboutB.C.3200,weread,"Pepihathbeen
purified.Hehathtakeninhishandthemhstaff,hehathprovided
himselfwithhisthrone,andhehathtakenhisseatintheboatofthe
greatandlittlecompaniesofthegods.EdmakethPepitosailtothe
West,hestablishethhisseatabovethoseofthelordsofdoubles,and
hewritethdownPepiattheheadofthosewholive.ThedoorsofPekh
kawhichareintheabyssopenthemselvestoPepi,thedoorsofthe
ironwhichistheceilingoftheskyopenthemselvestoPepi,andhe
passeththroughthemhehathhispantherskinuponhim,andthestaff
andwhipareinhishand.Pepigoethforwardwithhisflesh,Pepiis
happywithhisname,andhelivethwithhiska(double)."Curiously
enoughonlythebodyandnameanddoubleofthekingarementioned,
justasifthesethreeconstitutedhiswholeeconomyanditis
noteworthywhatimportanceisattachedtothenameinthispassage.In
thetextfromthepyramidofanotherking1wehaveaprayer
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concerningthepreservationofthename,whichisofsuchinterestthat
arenderingofitinfullisheregiven:itreads,"OGreatCompanyof
thegodswhodwellinAnnu(Heliopolis),grantthatPepiNeferkaR
mayflourish(literally'germinate'),andthathispyramid,hisever
lastingbuilding,mayflourish,evenasthenameof
p.159
Temu,thechiefoftheninegods,dothflourish.IfthenameofShu,the
lordoftheuppershrineinAnnu,flourisheth,thenPepishallflourish,
andhispyramid,hiseverlastingbuilding,shallflourish!Ifthenameof
Tefnut,theladyofthelowershrineinAnnu,flourisheth,thenameof
Pepishallbeestablished,andthishispyramidshallbeestablishedto
alleternity!IfthenameofSebflourishethatthe'homageoftheearth,'
thenthenameofPepishallflourish,andthishispyramidshall
flourish,andthishisbuildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!Ifthe
nameofNutintheHouseofShenthinAnnuflourisheth,thenameof
Pepishallflourish,andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthishis
buildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!IfthenameofOsiris
flourishethinthenomeofAbydos,thenthenameofPepishall
flourish,andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthishisbuildingshall
flourishuntoalleternity!IfthenameofOsirisKhentAmentet
flourisheth,thenthenameofPepishallflourish,andthishispyramid
shallflourish,andthishisbuildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!If
thenameofSet,thedwellerinNubt(Ombos)flourisheth,thenthe
nameofPepishallflourish,andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthis
hisbuildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!IfthenameofHorus
flourisheth,thenthenameofPepishallflourish,andthishispyramid
shallflourish,andthishisbuildingshallflourishuntoall
p.160
eternity!IfthenameofRflourishethinthehorizon,thenthenameof
Pepishallflourish,andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthishis
buildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!IfthenameofKhentmerti
flourishethinSekhem(Letopolis),thenthenameofPepishallflourish,
andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthishisbuildingshallflourish
untoalleternity!IfthenameofUatchetinTepflourisheth,thenthe
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nameofPepishallflourish,andthishispyramidshallflourish,andthis
hisbuildingshallflourishuntoalleternity!"Theaboveprayeror
formulawastheoriginofmostoftheprayersandtextswhichhadfor
theirobjectthe"makingthenametogerminateorflourish,"andwhich
werecopiedsofrequentlyintheSate,Ptolemaic,andRomanperiods.
Allthesecompositionsshowthatfromtheearliesttothelatesttimes
thebeliefastotheimportanceofthepreservationofthenamenever
changedinEgypt,andthesonwhoassistedinkeepinggreenhis
father'sname,andinconsequencehismemory,performedamost
meritoriousduty.Butinthepresentchapterwearenotsomuch
concernedwiththeordinaryaswiththeextraordinaryusestowhicha
namemightbeput,andtheabovefactshaveonlybeenmentionedto
provethataman'snamewasregardedasanessentialpartofhimself,
andthattheblottingoutofthenameofanindividualwassynonymous
withhisdestruction.Withoutanamenomancouldbeidentifiedinthe
p.161
judgment,andasamanonlycameintobeinguponthisearthwhenhis
namehadbeenpronounced,sothefuturelifecouldonlybeattained
afterthegodsoftheworldbeyondthegravehadbecomeacquainted
withitandhadutteredit.
AccordingtothestoryoftheCreationwhichisrelatedinthePapyrus
ofNesiAmsu,1beforetheworldandallthatthereiniscameinto
being,onlythegreatgodNebertcherexisted,foreventhegodswere
notborn.Nowwhenthetimehadcomeforthegodtocreateallthings
besays,"Ibrought(i.e.,fashioned)mymouth,andIutteredmyown
nameasawordofpower,andthusIevolvedmyselfunderthe
evolutionsofthegodKhepera,andIdevelopedmyselfoutofthe
primevalmatterwhichhadevolvedmultitudesofevolutionsfromthe
beginningoftime.Nothingexistedonthisearth[beforeme],Imade
allthings.Therewasnoneotherwhoworkedwithmeatthattime.
Elsewhere,thatistosay,intheotherversionofthestory,thegod
Kheperasays,IdevelopedctmyselffromtheprimevalmatterwhichI
made,Idevelopedmyselfoutoftheprimevalmatter.Mynameis'
Osiris,'thegermofprimevalmatter."Here,then,wehaveaproofthat
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theEgyptiansregardedthecreationastheresultoftheutteranceofthe
nameofthegodNebertcherorKheperabyhimself.Again,inthe
storyofRandIsis,giveninthepreceding
p.162
chapter,wehaveseenthatalthoughIsiswasabletomakeaserpent
andtocauseittobiteR,andtomakehimveryill,shewaspowerless
todoasshewishedinheavenanduponearthuntilshehadpersuaded
thegodtorevealtoherhisnamebywhichheruledtheuniverse.In
yieldinguphisnametothegoddessheplacedhimselfinherpower,
andinthisexamplewehaveastrikinginstanceofthebeliefthatthe
knowledgeofthenameofgod,ordevil,orhumanbeing,implied
dominionoverthatbeing.WehaveseenelsewherethatR,thetype
andsymbolofGod,isdescribedasthegodof"manynames,"andin
thatwonderfulcompositiontheXVIIthChapteroftheBookofthe
Dead,1wehavethefollowingstatement:"IamthegreatgodNu,who
gavebirthuntohimself,andwhomadehisnametobecomethe
companyofthegods."Thenthequestion,"Whatdoesthismean?"or
"Whoisthis?"isasked.Andthisistheanswer:"ItisR,thecreatorof
thename[s]ofhislimbs,whichcameintobeingintheformofthe
godswhoareinthefollowingofR."Fromthisweseethatallthe
"gods"ofEgyptweremerelypersonificationsoftheNAMESOfR,
andthateachgodwasoneofhismembers,andthatanameofagod
wasthegodhimself.Withouttheknowledgeofthenamesofthegods
anddevilsoftheunderworldthedeadEgyptianwouldhavefared
badly,forhispersonallibertywouldhavebeen
p.163
fettered,theroadsandpathswouldhavebeenblockedtohim,thegates
ofthemansionsoftheunderworldwouldhavebeenirrevocablyshutin
hisface,andthehostilepowerswhichdoggedhisfootstepswould
havemadeanendofhimthesefactsarebestillustratedbythe
followingexamples:
WhenthedeceasedcomestotheHallofJudgment,atthevery
beginningofhisspeechhesays,"Homagetothee,OGreatGod,thou
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LordofMati,Ihavecometothee,OmyLord,andIhavebrought
myselfhitherthat1maybeholdthybeauties.Iknowthee,andIknow
thyname,andIknowthenamesofthetwoandfortygodswhoexist
withtheeinthisHallofMati."1Butalthoughthegodsmaybe
favourabletohim,andhebefoundrighteousinthejudgment,he
cannotmakehiswayamongtheothergodsoftheunderworldwithout
aknowledgeofthenamesofcertainpartsoftheHallofMati.After
thejudgmentheacquiresthemysticalnameof"Hewhoisequipped
withtheflowersandthedwellerinhisolivetree,"anditisonlyafter
hehasutteredthisnamethatthegodssay"Passonwards."Nextthe
godsinvitehimtoentertheHallofMati,butheisnotallowedtopass
inuntilhehas,inanswertoquestionsaskedbythebolts,lintels,
threshold,fastenings,socket,doorleaves,anddoorposts,toldtheir
names.TheflooroftheHallwillnotpermithimtowalkuponitunless
he
p.164
tellsnotonlyitsname,butalsothemysticalnamesofhistwolegsand
feetwherewithheisabouttotreaduponit.Whenallthishasbeen
donetheguardianoftheHallsaystohim,"Iwillnotannouncethy
name[tothegod]unlessthoutellestmemyname"andthedeceased
replies,"'Discernerofheartsandsearcherofthereins'isthyname."In
replytothistheguardiansays,"IfIannouncethynamethoumustutter
thenameofthegodwhodwellethinhishour,"andthedeceasedutters
thename"MauTaui."Butstilltheguardianisnotsatisfied,andhe
says,"IfIannouncethynamethoumusttellmewhoishewhose
heavenisoffire,whosewalls[aresurmountedby]livinguraei,andthe
floorofwhosehouseisastreamofwater.Whoishe,Isay?(i.e.,what
ishisname?)"Butthedeceasedhas,ofcourse,learntthenameofthe
GreatGod,andhereplies,"Osiris."TheguardianoftheHallisnow
content,andhesays,"Advance,verilythynameshallbementionedto
him"andhefurtherpromisesthatthecakes,andale,andsepulchral
mealswhichthedeceasedshallenjoyshallcomefromthe"EyeofR,"
InanotherChapter1thedeceasedaddressessevengods,andsays,
"Hail,yesevenbeingswhomakedecrees,whosupporttheBalanceon
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thenightofthejudgmentoftheUtchat,whocutoffheads,whohack
necksinpieces,whotakepossessionofheartsby
p.165
violenceandrendtheplaceswhereheartsarefixed,whomake
slaughteringsintheLakeofFire,Iknowyou,andIknowyournames
thereforeknowyeme,evenasIknowyournames."Thedeceased,
havingdeclaredthatthesevengodsknowhisnameandhetheirnames,
hasnofurtherapprehensionthatevilwillbefallhim.
InoneportionofthekingdomofOsiristhereexistedsevenhallsor
mansionsthroughwhichthedeceasedwasanxioustopass,buteachof
thegateswasguardedbyadoorkeeper,awatcher,andaherald,andit
requiredspecialprovisiononthepartofthedeceasedtosatisfythese
beingsthathehadarighttopassthem.Inthefirstplace,figuresofthe
sevengateshadtobemadeinsomesubstance(orpaintedupon
papyrus),aswellasafigureofthedeceased:thelatterwasmadeto
approacheachofthegatesandtostandbeforeitandtorecitean
addresswhichhadbeenspeciallypreparedforthepurpose.Meanwhile
thethigh,thehead,theheart,andthehoofofaredbullwereofferedat
eachgate,aswellasaverylargenumberofmiscellaneousofferings
whichneednotbedescribedindetail.Butalltheseceremonieswould
nothelpthedeceasedtopassthroughthegates,unlessbeknewthe
namesofthesevendoorkeepers,andthesevenwatchers,andtheseven
heraldswhoguardedthem.Thegodsofthefirstgatewere:Sekhet
hrashtaru,Semetu,andHukheruthoseofthesecond,Tunht,
Seqethra,and
p.166
Sabesofthethird,Amhuatentpehfi,Reshra,andUauofthe
fourth,Khesefhrashtkheru,Resab,andNetekahrakhesefatuof
thefifth,nkhemfentu,Ashebu,andTebherkehaatofthesixth,
Akentaukhakheru,Anhra,andMeteshraarisheoftheseventh,
Metessen,akheru,andKhesefhrakhemiu.Andthetext,which
thedeceasedrecitestotheHallscollectively,begins,"Hail,yeHalls!
Hail,yewhomadetheHallsforOsiris!Hail,yewhowatchyourHalls!
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Hail,yewhoheraldtheaffairsofthetwolandsforthegodOsiriseach
day,thedeceasedknowethyou,andheknowethyournames."1The
nameshavingbeenuttered,andtheaddressesdulyrecited,the
deceasedwentwhereverhepleasedinthesevenHallsofOsiris.
Butbesidethesevenhallsthedeceasedhadtopassthroughthetwenty
onehiddenpylonsofthehouseofOsirisintheElysianFields,andin
ordertodosohehadtodeclarethenamesofthepylonandthe
doorkeeperofeach,andtomakeashortaddressbesides.Thustothe
firstpylonhesays,"Ihavemademyway,IknowtheeandIknowthy
name,andIknowthenameofthegodwhoguardeththee.Thynameis
'Ladyoftremblings,withloftywalls,thesovereignlady,themistress
ofdestruction,whosettethinorderthewordswhichdrivebackthe
whirlwindandthestorm,whodeliverethfromdestructionhimthat
p.167
travellethalongtheway'andthenameofthydoorkeeperisNeri."At
thesecondpylonhesays,"Ihavemade[my]way,Iknowthee,andI
knowthyname,andIknowthenameofthegodwhoguardeththee.
Thynameis'Ladyofheaven,themistressoftheworld,whodevoureth
withfire,theladyofmortals,whoknowethmankind.'Thenameofthy
doorkeeperisMesPtah,"andsoonateachofthepylons.Inthelater
andlongerversionofthechapterwhichwaswrittentosupplythe
deceasedwiththisknowledgeheinformsthegodofeachpylonwhat
purificationhehasundergonethustothegodofthefirstpylonhe
says,"Ihaveanointedmyselfwithhti"unguent[madefrom]the
cedar,Ihavearrayedmyselfinapparelofmenkh(linen),andIhave
withmemysceptremadeofhetiwood."Afterthespeechthegodof
thepylonsays,"Passon,then,thouartpure."
Whenwerememberthatoneoftheoldestbeliefsastothefuturelife
madeitappearthatitwouldbelivedbymanintheSekhetAaru,or
FieldofReeds,aregionwhich,asweknowfromthedrawingsofit
whichhavecomedowntous,wasintersectedbycanalsandstreams,it
isatonceclearthatinordertopassfromonepartofittoanotherthe
deceasedwouldneedaboat.Evenassumingthathewasfortunate
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enoughtohavemadehisownwayintothisregion,itwasnotpossible
forhimtotakeaboatwithhim.Tomeet,thisdifficultyaboatandall
itsvariouspartswere
p.168
drawnuponthepapyrus,uponwhichtheselectionofChaptersfrom
theBookoftheDeadhadbeeninscribedforhim,andaknowledgeof
thetextofthechapterwhichbelongedtoitmadethedrawingto
becomeanactualboat.Butbeforehecouldenterit,theposttowhichit
wastiedup,andeverypartoftheboatitself,demandedthatheshould
tellthemtheirnames,thus:
Postatwhichtotieup."Tellmemyname."D.1"Lordofthetwo
lands,dwellerintheshrine,"isthyname.
Rudder."Tellmemyname."D."LegofHpiu"isthyname.
Rope."Tellmemyname."D."HairswithwhichAnpufinisheththe
workofmyembalmment"isthyname.
Oarruts."Tellusourname."D."Pillarsoftheunderworld"isyour
name.
Hold."Tellmemyname."D."Akau"isthyname.
Mast."Tellmemyname."D."Bringerbackoftheladyafterher
departure"isthyname.
Lowerdeck."Tellmemyname."D."StandardofApuat"isthyname.
UpperPost."Tellmemyname."D."ThroatofMestha"isthyname.
Sail."Tellmemyname."D."Nut"isthyname.
LeatherStraps."Tellusourname."D."Thosewho
p.169
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aremadefromthehideoftheMnevisBull,whichwasburnedby
Suti,"isyourname.
Paddles."Tellusourname."D."FingersofHorusthefirstborn"is
yourname.
Pump(?)."Tellmemyname."D."ThehandofIsiswhichwipeth
awaythebloodoftheEyeofHorus,"isthyname.
Planks."Tellusournames."D."Mestha,Hpi,Tuamutef,
Qebhsennuf,Haqau,Thetemua,Maaantef,Arineftchesef,"are
yournames.
Rows."Tellusourname."D."Hewhoisattheheadofhisnomes"is
yourname.
Hull."Tellmemyname."D."Mert"isthyname.
Rudder."Tellmemyname."D."qa"isthynameShinerinthe
water,hiddenbeam,"isthyname.
Keel."Tellmemyname."D."ThighofIsis,whichRcutoffwiththe
knifetobringbloodintotheSektetboat,"isthyname.
Sailor."Tellmemyname."D."Traveller"isthyname.
Wind."Tellmemyname."D."TheNorthWind,whichcomethfrom
TemtothenostrilsofOsiris,"isthyname.
Andwhenthedeceasedhaddeclaredtothesetheirnames,beforehe
couldsetoutonhisjourneyhewasobligedtotelltheriver,andthe
riverbanks,andthegroundtheirmysticalnames.Thisdone,theboat
p.170
admittedhimasapassenger,andhewasabletosailabouttoanypart
oftheElysianFieldsatwill.
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Butamongthebeingswhomthedeceasedwishedtoavoidinthe
underworldwerethebeingswho"laysnares,andwhoworkthenets,
andwhoarefishers,"andwhowoulddrawhimintotheirnets.Itseems
asifitwereabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldfallinwiththese
beingsandtheirnets,forawholechapteroftheBookoftheDeadwas
writtenwiththeviewofenablinghimtoescapefromthemunharmed
thegodtheirleaderiscalled"thegodwhosefaceisbehindhim,"and
"thegodwhohathgainedthemasteryoverhisheart."Toescapefrom
thenetwhichwasworkedby"thefisherswholaysnareswiththeir
netsandwhogoroundaboutinthechambersofthewaters,"the
deceasedhadtoknowthenamesofthenet,andoftheropes,andofthe
pole,andofthehooks,andofeachandeverypartofitwithoutthis
knowledgenothingcouldsavehimfromcalamity.Weunfortunately
understandveryfewoftheallusionstomythologicaleventswhichare
containedinthenamesofthevariouspartsofthemachinerywhich
workthenet,butitisquitecertainthattheyhavereferencetocertain
eventsinthelivesofthegodswhoarementioned,andthatthesewere
wellknowntothewritersandreadersofreligioustexts.
Fromtheabovedescriptionsofthemeanswherebythedeceasedmade
hiswaythroughthegatesandthe
p.171
hallsoftheunderworldandescapedfromthefowlerandhisnet,itwill
bereadilyunderstoodthattheknowledgeofthenamealonewas,in
somecases,sufficienttohelphimoutofhisdifficultiesbutinothersit
wasnecessarytohavethenamewhichwaspossessedofmagical
powerinscribeduponsomeobject,amuletorotherwise.Moreover,
somegodsanddevilswerethoughttohavethepowertoassume
differentforms,andaseachformcarriedwithititsownname,tohave
absolutepoweroveragodofmanyformsitwasnecessarytoknowall
hisnames.Thusinthe"BookofOverthrowingpep"1wearetoldnot
onlytomakeawaxfigureofthemonster,butalsotowritehisname
uponit,sothatwhenthefigureisdestroyedbybeingburntinthefire
hisnamealsomaybedestroyedthisisastrikingexampleofthebelief
thatthenamewasanintegralpartoftheeconomyofalivingcreature.
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Butpeppossessedmanyformsandthereforemanynames,and
unlesshecouldbeinvokedbythesenameshestillhadthepowertodo
eviltheabovementionedbook2thereforesuppliesuswithalistofhis
names,amongwhichoccurthefollowing:"Tutu(i.e.,Doublyevil
one),Hauhra(i.e.,"BackwardFace),Hemhemti(i.e.,Roarer),Qetu
(i.e.,Evildoer),mam(i.e.,Devourer),Saatetta(i.e.,Darkenerof
earth),Iubani,Khermuti,Unti,Karauememti,
p.172
Khesefhra,Sekhemhra,Khakab,Ni,Uai,Beteshu,Kharebututhe
fourfoldfiend,"etc.Allthesenamesrepresent,asmaybeseenfrom
thefewofwhichtranslationsaregiven,variousaspectsofpep,the
devilofthunder,lightning,cloud,rain,mist,storm,andthelike,and
theanxietytopersonifythesesothatthepersonificationsmightbe
attackedbymeansofmagicalceremoniesandwordsofpowerseems
positivelychildish.
PassingnowtocertainchaptersoftheBookoftheDeadwhicharerich
innamesofmagicalpower,1wenoticethatthegodAmen,whose
namemeantthe"hiddenone,"possessednumerousnames,uponthe
knowledgeofwhichthedeceasedreliedforprotection.Thushesays,
"OAmen,2AmenOReIukasaOGod,Princeofthegodsoftheeast,
thynameisNaarik,or(asotherssay)Kaarika,Kasaikaisthyname.
Arethikasathikaisthyname.Amennaankaentekshare,or(asothers
say)ThekshareAmenkerethi,isthyname.OAmen,letmemake
supplicationuntothee,forI,evenI,knowthyname.Amenisthy
name.Ireqaiisthyname.Marqathaiisthyname.Rereiisthyname.
Nasaqbubuisthyname.ThanasaThanasaisthyname.Shareshatha
kathaisthyname.OAmen,OAmen,OGod,OGod,OAmen,Iadore
thyname."Inanotherplace3thedeceasedaddressesSekhetBastR,
saying,
p.173
"ThouartthefiregoddessAmiseshet,whoseopportunityescapethher
notthynameisKaharesapusaremkakaremet,Thouartlikeuntothe
mightyflameofSaqenaqatwhichisinthebowoftheboatofthy
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fatherHarepukakashareshabaiu,forbehold,thusis[thenameuttered]
inthespeechoftheNegroes,andoftheAnti,andofthepeopleof
Nubia.Sefiperemhesihrahaputchetefisthyname
Atareamtcherqemturennuparshetaisthenameofoneofthydivine
sons,andPanemmathatoftheother."Andinyetanotherchapter1the
deceasedaddressingthegodParsays,"Thouartthemightyoneof
namesamongthegods,themightyrunnerwhosestridesaremightthou
artthegodthemightyonewhocomestandrescuesttheneedyoneand
theafflictedfromhimthatoppressethhimgiveheedtomycry.Iam
theCow,andthydivinenameisinmymouth,andIwillutterit
Haqabakaheristhynameurauaaqersaanqrebathiisthyname
KherserauisthynameKharsathaisthyname.Ipraisethyname....
Obegraciousuntothedeceased,andcausethouheattoexistunderhis
head,for,indeed,heisthesoulofthegreatdivineBodywhichresteth
inAnnu(Heliopolis),whosenamesareKhukheperuruand
Barekathatchara."
Theexamplesoftheuseofnamespossessingmagicalpowers
describedaboveillustratethesemireligious
p.174
viewsonthesubjectofnameswhichtheEgyptiansheld,andwehave
nowtoconsiderbrieflythemannerinwhichtheknowledgeofaname
wasemployedinuseslessimportantthanthosewhichhadfortheir
objecttheattainmentoflifeandhappinessintheworldtocome.Inthe
famousmagicalpapyrus1whichChabaspublished2wefindaseriesof
interestingcharmsandmagicalformulwhichwerewrittento
preserveitspossessorfromtheattacksofseaandrivermonstersof
everykind,ofwhichthefollowingisanexample."Hail,lordofthe
gods!DriveawayfrommethelionsofthecountryofMeru(Mero?),
andthecrocodileswhichcomeforthfromtheriver,andthebiteofall
poisonousreptileswhichcrawlforthfromtheirholes.Gettheeback,O
crocodileMk,thousonofSet!Movenotbymeansofthytail!Work
notthylegsandfeet!Opennotthymouth!Letthewaterwhichis
beforetheeturnintoaconsumingfire,Othouwhomthethirtyseven
godsdidmake,andwhomtheserpentofRdidputinchains,Othou
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whowastfetteredwithlinksofironbeforetheboatofR!Getthee
back,OcrocodileMk,thousonofSet!"Thesewordsweretobesaid
overafigureofthegodAmenpaintedonclaytherodwastohave
fourrams'headsupononeneck,underhisfeetwastobeafigureofthe
crocodileMk,and
p.175
totherightandleftofhimweretobethedogheadedapes,i.e.,the
transformedspiritsofthedawn,whosanghymnsofpraisetoRwhen
herosedaily.1Again,letussupposethatsomewatermonsterwished
toattackamaninaboat.Toavoidthisthemanstoodbeforethecabin
oftheboatand,takingahardegginhishand,hesaid,"Oeggofthe
waterwhichhathbeenspreadovertheearth,essenceofthedivine
apes,thegreatoneintheheavenaboveandintheearthbeneath,who
dostdwellinthenestswhichareinthewaters,Ihavecomeforthwith
theefromthewater,Ihavebeenwiththeeinthynest,IamAmsuof
Coptos,IamAmsu,lordofKebu."Whenhehadsaidthesewordshe
wouldappeartotheanimalinthewaterintheformofthegodAmsu,
withwhomhehadidentifiedhimself,anditwouldbeafraidandflee.
Attheendofthepapyrusinwhichtheaboveextractsoccurwefinda
seriesofmagicalnameswhichmaybereadthus:AtirAtisa,
AtirkahaAtisa,SamumatnatmuAtisa,SamuanemuiAtisa,
SamutekaariAtisa,SamutekabaiuAtisa,SamutchakaretchaAtisa,
Tuuarehasa,Qina,Hama,SenentutaBatetsataiu,Anrehakathasataiu,
HaubailraHaari.Fromtheseandsimilarmagicalnamesitisquite
certainthattheGnosticsandothersectswhichheldviewsakinto
theirsobtainedthenameswhichtheyweresofondof
p.176
inscribingupontheiramuletsanduponthesocalledmagicalpapyri.
Thelastclassofdocumentsundoubtedlycontainsaverylarge
proportionofthemagicalideas,beliefs,formul,etc.,whichwere
currentinEgyptfromthetimeofthePtolemiestotheendofthe
RomanPeriod,butfromaboutB.C.150toA.D.200thepapyriexhibit
tracesoftheinfluenceofGreek,Hebrew,andSyrianphilosophersand
magicians,andfromapassagelikethefollowing1wemaygetaproof
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ofthis:"Icallthee,theheadlessone,thatdidstcreateearthand
heaven,thatdidstcreatenightandday,theethecreatoroflightand
darkness.ThouartOsoronnophris,whomnomanhathseenatany
timethouartIabas,thouartIaps,thouhastdistinguishedthejustand
theunjust,thoudidstmakefemaleandmale,thoudidstproduceseeds
andfruits,thoudidstmakementoloveoneanotherandtobateone
another.IamMosesthyprophet,towhomthoudidstcommitthy
mysteries,theceremoniesofIsraelthoudidstproducethemoistand
thedryandallmanneroffood.Listentome:IamanangelofPhapro
Osoronnophristhisisthytruename,handeddowntotheprophetsof
Israel.Listentome.2..."InthispassagethenameOsoronnophrisis
clearlyacorruptionoftheoldEgyptiannamesofthe
p.177
greatgodofthedead"AusarUnnefer,"andPhaproseemstorepresent
theEgyptianPera(literally,"greathouse")or"Pharaoh,"withthe
articlepa"the"prefixed.ItisinterestingtonotethatMosesis
mentioned,afactwhichseemstoindicateJewishinfluence.
Inanothermagicalformulaweread,1"Icallupontheethatdidstcreate
theearthandbones,andallfleshandallspirit,thatdidstestablishthe
seaandthatshakesttheheavens,thatdidstdividethelightfromthe
darkness,thegreatregulativemind,thatdisposesteverything,eyeof
theworld,spiritofspirits,godofgods,thelordofspirits,the
immoveableAeon,IAOOUI,hearmyvoice.Icalluponthee,the
rulerofthegods,highthunderingZeus,Zeus,king,Adonai,lord,
Iaooue.IamhethatinvokestheeintheSyriantongue,thegreatgod,
Zaalar,Iphphou,dothounotdisregardtheHebrewappellation
Ablanathanalb,Abrasila.ForIamSilthakhoukh,Lailam,Blasalth,
Ia,Ie,Nebouth,Sabiothar,Bth,Arbathia,Iaoth,Sabath,Patoure,
Zagour,BaroukhAdonai,Elai,Iabraam,Barbarau,Nau,Siph,"etc.
Thespellendswiththestatementthatit"loosenschains,blinds,brings
dreams,createsfavouritmaybeusedincommonforwhatever
purposeyouwill."Intheabovewenoticeatoncetheuseoftheseven
vowelswhichform"anamewhereinbecontainedallNames,
p.178
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andallLights,andallPowers."1Thesevenvowelshave,ofcourse,
referencetothethreevowels"Ia"2whichwereintendedtorepresent
oneoftheHebrewnamesforAlmightyGod,"Jh."Thenames
"Adonai,Elai,"arealsoderivedthroughtheHebrewfromtheBible,
andSabathisanotherwellknownHebrewwordmeaning"hosts"
someoftheremainingnamescouldbeexplained,ifspacepermitted,
byHebrewandSyriacwords.Onpapyriandamuletsthevowelsare
writteninmagicalcombinationsinsuchamannerastoformtriangles
andothershapeswiththemareoftenfoundthenamesoftheseven
archangelsofGodthefollowingareexamples:
Incombinationwithanumberofsignswhichowetheirorigintothe
Gnosticsthesevenvowelswere
p.179
sometimesengraveduponplaques,orwrittenuponpapyri,withthe
viewofgivingthepossessorpowerovergodsordemonsorhisfellow
creatures.Theexampleprintedbelowisfoundonapapyrusinthe
BritishMuseumandaccompaniesaspellwrittenforthepurposeof
overcomingthemaliceofenemies,andforgivingsecurityagainst
alarmsandnocturnalvisions.1
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Amuletinscribedwithsignsandlettersofmagicalpowerfor
overcomingthemaliceofenemies.
(FromBrit.Mus.,GreekPapyrus,Nu.CXXIV.4thor5thcentury.)
ButofallthenamesfounduponGnosticgemstwo,i.e.,Khnoubis(or
Khnoumis),andAbrasax(orAbraxas),areofthemostfrequent
occurrence.Thefirstisusuallyrepresentedasahugeserpenthaving
theheadofalionsurroundedbysevenortwelverays.Overtheseven
rays,oneonthepointofeach,arethesevenvowelsoftheGreek
alphabet,whichsomesupposeto
p.180
refertothesevenheavensandonthebackoftheamulet,onwhichthe
figureofKhnoumisoccurs,isusuallyfoundthesignofthetripleSand
bar.Khnoumisis,ofcourse,aformoftheancientEgyptiangod
Khnemu,or"Fashioner"ofmanandbeast,thegodtowhommanyof
theattributesoftheCreatoroftheuniversewereascribed.Khnemuis,
however,oftendepictedwiththeheadofaram,andinthelatertimes,
asthe"beautifulramofR,"hehasfourheadsintheEgyptian
monumentshehasattimestheheadofahawk,butneverthatofalion.
ThegodAbrasaxisrepresentedinaformwhichhasahumanbody,the
beadofahawkorcock,andlegsterminatinginserpentsinonehand
heholdsaknifeordagger,andintheotherashielduponwhichis
inscribedthegreatname{GreekIAW},orJH.Considerable
differenceofopinionexistsastothemeaningandderivationofthe
nameAbrasax,butthereisnodoubtthatthegodwhoboreitwasa
formoftheSungod,andthathewasintendedtorepresentsomeaspect
oftheCreatoroftheworld.Thenamewasbelievedtopossessmagical
powersofthehighestclass,andBasileides,1whogaveitcurrencyin
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thesecondcentury,seemstohaveregardeditasaninvinciblename.It
isprobable,however,thatitsexactmeaningwaslostatanearlydate,
andthatit
p.181
soondegeneratedintoameremagicalsymbol,foritisoftenfound
inscribedonamuletssidebysidewithscenesandfigureswithwhich,
seemingly,itcannothaveanyconnexionwhatever.Judgingfrom
certainGnosticgemsintheBritishMuseum,Abrasaxistobe
identifiedwiththepolytheisticfigurethatstandsintheupperpartof
theMetternichsteledepictedonp.153.Thisfigurehastwobodies,
onebeingthatofaman,andtheotherthatofabirdfromtheseextend
fourwings,andfromeachofhiskneesprojectsaserpent.Hehastwo
pairsofhandsandarmsonepairisextendedalongthewings,each
handholdingthesymbolsof"life,""stability,"and"power,"andtwo
knivesandtwoserpentstheotherpairispendent,therighthand
graspingthesignoflife,andtheotherasceptre.Hisfaceisgrotesque,
andprobablyrepresentsthatofBes,orthesunasanoldmanonhis
headisapylonshapedobjectwithfiguresofvariousanimals,and
aboveitapairofhornswhichsupporteightknivesandthefigureofa
godwithraisedhandsandarms,whichtypifies"millionsofyears."
Thegodstandsuponanovalwhereinaredepictedfiguresofvarious
"typhonic"animals,andfromeachsideofhiscrownproceedseveral
symbolsoffire.WhetherintheGnosticsystemAbraxasabsorbedall
thenamesandattributesofthisgodofmanyformscannotbesaidwith
certainty.
Footnotes
157:1Line169.
158:1PepiII.(ed.Maspero,1.669,ff.Recueil,tom.xii.1892,p.146).
161:1SeemypaperinArchologia,Vol.LII.,London,1891.
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168:1D.=thedeceased.
171:1PapyrusofNesiAmsu,col.xxiii.1.6.(Archologia,vol.LII.)
171:2Ibid.,col.xxxii.1.13f.
172:1ChaptersCLXII.,CLXIII.,CLXIV.,CLXV.
172:3Ibid.,p.293.
174:1BritishMuseum,No.10,042.
174:2LePapyrusMagiqueHarris,ChalonsurSane,1860.
175:1SeethesceneintheroundedportionoftheMetternichstele
illustratedonp.149.
176:1SeeGoodwin,FragmentofaGrcoEgyptianWorkupon
Magic,p.7.
176:2HerefollowanumberofnamesofwhichReibet,Athelebersthe,
Blatha,Abeu,Ebenphi,areexamples.
177:1Goodwin,op.cit.,p.21.
178:1SeeKenyon,GreekPapyriintheBritishMuseum,London,
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1893,p.63.
178:2ForIaoouiweshouldprobablyreadIaoui.
178:3BritishMuseum,Gnosticgem,No.G.33.
178:4Kenyon,GreekPapyri,p.123.
178:5Ibid.,p.123.ThesenamesreadMichael,Raphael,Gabriel,
Souriel,Zaziel,Badakiel,andSuliel.
179:1Kenyon,op.cit.,P.121.
180:1HeofAlexandria,wholivedaboutA.D.120.Hewasadisciple
ofMenander,anddeclaredthathehadreceivedtheesotericdoctrineof
SaintPeterfromGlaucias,adiscipleoftheApostle.
Next:ChapterVI.MagicalCeremonies
p.182
CHAPTERVI.
MAGICALCEREMONIES.
INtheprecedingpageswehaveseenhowtheEgyptiansemployed
magicalstonesoramulets,andmagicalwords,andmagicalpictures,
andmagicalnames,intheperformanceofdeedsbothgoodandevilit
remainstoconsiderthesemagicalceremoniesinwhichtheskillofthe
magicianpriestwasexertedtoitsfullestextent,andwiththehighest
objects,thatistosay,topreservethehumanbodyinamummified
condition,andtoperformthesymbolicactswhichwouldrestoreits
naturalfunctions.Whenwethinkofthesublimecharacterofthelife
whichthesoulsoftheblesseddeadwerebelievedtoleadinheaven
withthegods,itishardtounderstandwhytheEgyptianstooksuch
painstopreservethephysicalbodyfromdecay.NoEgyptianwho
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believedhisScriptureseverexpectedthathiscorruptiblebodywould
ascendintoheavenandlivewiththegods,fortheydeclareinno
uncertainmannerthatitremainsupontheearthwhilstthesouldwells
inheaven.Butthatthepreservationofthe
p.183
bodywasinsomewayorforsomereasonabsolutelynecessaryis
certain,fortheartofmummificationflourishedforseveralthousands
ofyears,andunlesstherewassomegoodreason,besidesthe
observanceofconservativecustomandtraditionaluse,whyitshould
doso,kingandpriest,gentleandsimple,andrichandpoor,would
neverhaveburdenedtheirrelativesandheirswiththeexpenseof
costlyfuneralceremonies,andwiththeperformanceofriteswhich
wereofnoavail.Atfirstsight,too,itseemsstrangetofindthe
Egyptiansstudyingcarefullyhowbesttoprovidethedeadwitha
regularsupplyofsepulchralofferings,forwhenwecometothink
aboutitwenoticethatinarrangingforthewellbeingofthedead
nothingwhateverwaslefttochance.Forexample,apapyruswill
containseveralprayersandpictureswithappropriateformul,the
objectofeachofwhichistogivethedeceasedmeatanddrinkanyone
ofthesewouldhavebeenenoughforthepurpose,butitwasthought
bestinsuchanimportantmattertomakeassurancedoublysure,andif
therewastheleastdoubtabouttheefficacyofoneChapteroneormore
ofthesameclasswereadded.Similarly,thetendencyofthenatural
bodyafterdeathbeingtodecay,thegreatestcarewastakenin
mummifyingitsvariousmembers,lestperchanceanyoneofthem
shouldbeneglectedaccidentally,andshould,eitherbytheomissionof
thewordsofpowerthatoughttohavebeensaidoverit,orthroughthe
lax
p.184
performanceofsomeceremony,decayandperish.TheEgyptian
declaredthathewasimmortal,andbelievedthathewouldenjoy
eternallifeinaspiritualbodyyetheattemptedbytheperformanceof
magicalceremoniesandtherecitalofwordsofpowertomakehis
corruptiblebodytoendureforever.Hebelievedthathewouldfeed
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uponthecelestialandimperishablefoodwhereonthegodslived,butat
thesametimehesparednoeffortorexpensetoprovideforhistomb
beingsuppliedatstatedintervalsthroughouttheyearwithperishable
foodintheshapeofofferingsofoxen,featheredfowl,cakes,bread,
andthelike.Hemummifiedhisdeadandswathedtheminlinen
bandages,andthenbytheperformanceofmagicalceremoniesandby
therecitalofwordsofpowersoughttogivebacktotheirmembersthe
strengthtoeat,anddrink,andtalk,andthink,andmoveatwill.Indeed,
alltheevidencenowforthcomingseemstoprovethatbenever
succeededinbringinghimselftothinkthatthegodscoulddowithout
hishelp,orthatthepicturesorrepresentationsofthesceneswhich
tookplaceinthelife,anddeath,andburial,andresurrectionofOsiris,
uponwhichhereliedsoimplicitly,couldpossiblyfailtobeas
efficaciousastheactualpowerofthegodhimself.
Theexaminationofmummieshasshownuswithtolerableclearness
whatmethodswereadoptedinpreparingbodiesforbandagingand
finalornamentation,
p.185
andthemeansadoptedfordisposingofthemorecorruptibleportions
ofthebodyarewellknownfromclassicalandotherwriters.Butforan
accountofthemannerinwhichthebodywasbandaged,andalistof
theunguentsandothermaterialsemployedintheprocess,andthe
wordsofpowerwhichwerespokenaseachbandagewaslaidinits
place,wemusthave,recoursetoaveryinterestingpapyruswhichhas
beeneditedandtranslatedbyM.MasperounderthetitleofLeRituel
del'Embaumement.1Thefirstpartofthepapyrus,whichprobably
gaveinstructionsfortheeviscerationofthebody,iswanting,andonly
thesectionwhichreferstothebandagingisatallperfect.Thetext
openswithanaddresstothedeceasedinwhichitissaid,"Theperfume
ofArabiahathbeenbroughttotheetomakeperfectthysmellthrough
thescentofthegod.Herearebroughttotheeliquidswhichhavecome
forthfromR,tomakeperfect...thysmellintheHall[ofJudgment].
Osweetsmellingsoulofthegreatgod,thoudostcontainsuchasweet
odourthatthyfaceshallneitherchangenorperish....Thymembers
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shallbecomeyounginArabia,andthysoulshallappearoverthybody
inTaneter(i.e.,the'divineland')."Afterthisthepriestormummifier
wastotakeavaseofliquidwhichcontainedtenperfumes,andto
smeartherewiththebodyfromheadtofoottwice,takingespecialcare
p.186
toanointtheheadthoroughly.Hewasthentosay,Osiris(i.e.,the
deceased),thouhastreceivedtheperfumewhichshallmakethy
membersperfect.Thoureceivestthesource[oflife]andthoutakestthe
formofthegreatDisk(i.e.,Aten),whichunitethitselfuntotheeto
giveenduringformtothymembersthoushaltunitewithOsirisinthe
greatHall.Theunguentcomethuntotheetofashionthymembersand
togladdenthyheart,andthoushaltappearintheformofRitshall
maketheetobesoundwhenthousettestintheskyateventide,andit
shallspreadabroadthesmelloftheeinthenomesofAqert....Thou
receivesttheoilofthecedarinAmentet,andthecedarwhichcame
forthfromOsiriscomethuntotheeitdelivereththeefromthy
enemies,anditprotecteththeeinthenomes.Thysoulalightethupon
thevenerablesycamores.ThoucriesttoIsis,andOsirisheareththy
voice,andAnubiscomethuntotheetoinvokethee.Thoureceivestthe
oilofthecountryofManuwhichhathcomefromtheEast,andR
risethupontheeatthegatesofthehorizon,attheholydoorsofNeith.
Thougoesttherein,thysoulisintheupperheaven,andthybodyisin
thelowerheaven...OOsiris,maytheEyeofHoruscausethatwhich
flowethforthfromittocometothee,andtothyheartforever!"These
wordshavingbeensaid,thewholeceremonywasrepeated,andthen
theinternalorganswhichhadbeenremovedfromthebody
p.187
wereplacedinthe"liquidofthechildrenofHorus,"sothattheliquid
ofthisgodmightenterintothem,andwhilsttheywerebeingthus
treatedachapterwasreadoverthemandtheywereputinthefuneral
chest.Whenthiswasdonetheinternalorganswereplacedonthe
body,andthebodyhavingbeenmadetoliestraightthebackbonewas
immersedinholyoil,andthefaceofthedeceasedwasturnedtowards
theskythebandageofSebekandSediwasthenlaiduponthe
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backbone.Inalongspeechthedeceasedisaddressedandtoldthatthe
liquidis"secret,"andthatitisanemanationofthegodsShuandSeb,
andthattheresinofPhoeniciaandthebitumenofBybloswillmake
hisburialperfectintheunderworld,andgivehimhislegs,and
facilitatehismovements,andsanctifyhisstepsintheHallofSeb.Next
gold,silver,lapislazuli,andturquoisearebroughttothedeceased,and
crystaltolightenhisface,andcarneliantostrengthenhisstepsthese
formamuletswhichwillsecureforhimafreepassageinthe
underworld.Meanwhilethebackboneiskeptinoil,andthefaceofthe
deceasedisturnedtowardstheheavensandnextthegildingofthe
nailsofthefingersandtoesbegins.Whenthishasbeendone,and
portionsofthefingershavebeenwrappedinlinenmadeatSas,the
followingaddressismadetothedeceased:"OOsiris,thoureceivest
thynailsofgold,thyfingersofgold,andthythumbofsmu(oruasm)
metaltheliquidofRenterethintotheeaswell
p.188
asintothedivinemembersofOsiris,andthoujourneyestonthylegsto
theimmortalabode.Thouhastcarriedthyhandstothehouseof
eternity,thouartmadeperfectingold,thoudostshinebrightlyinsmu
metal,andthyfingersshineinthedwellingofOsiris,inthesanctuary
ofHorushimself.OOsiris,thegoldofthemountainscomethtotheeit
isaholytalismanofthegodsintheirabodes,anditlighteneththyface
inthelowerheaven.Thoubreathestingold,thouappearestinsmu
metal,andthedwellersinRestaureceivetheethosewhoareinthe
funeralchestrejoicebecausethouhasttransformedthyselfintoahawk
ofgoldbymeansofthyamulets(ortalismans)oftheCityofGold,"
etc.Whenthesewordshavebeensaid,apriestwhoismadeto
personifyAnubiscomestothedeceasedandperformscertain
symbolicalceremoniesbyhishead,andlayscertainbandagesuponit.
Whentheheadandmouthandfacehavebeenwelloiledthebandage
ofNekhebislaidontheforehead,thebandageofHathorontheface,
thebandageofThothuponthetwoears,andthebandageofNebt
heteponthenapeoftheneck.Overtheheadwaslaidthebandageof
Sekhet,intwopieces,andovereachear,andeachnostril,andeach
cheekwasfastenedabandageorstripoflinenovertheforeheadwent
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fourpiecesoflinen,onthetopoftheheadtwo,outsidethemouthtwo,
andinsidetwo,overthechintwo,andoverthenapeoftheneckfour
largepiecestherewere
p.189
tobetwentytwopiecestotherightandtotheleftofthefacepassing
overthetwoears.TheLadyoftheWestisthenaddressedinthese
words:"Grantthouthatbreathingmaytakeplaceintheheadofthe
deceasedintheunderworld,andthatbemayseewithhiseyes,andthat
hemayhearwithhistwoearsandthathemaybreathethroughhis
noseandthathemaybeabletouttersoundswithhismouthandthat
hemaybeabletospeakwithhistongueintheunderworld.Receive
thouhisvoiceintheHallofMatiandhisspeechintheHallofSebin
thepresenceoftheGreatGod,thelordofAmentet."Theaddresses
whichfollowthesewordshave,referencetothedelightsandpleasures
ofthefuturelifewhichshallbesecuredforhimthroughtheoiland
unguents,whicharedulyspecifiedanddescribed,andthroughthe
magicalfigureswhicharedrawnuponthebandages.Theprotecting
propertiesoftheturquoiseandotherpreciousstonesarealludedto,and
afterafurtheranointingwithoilandtheplacingofgrainsofmyrrhand
resin,thedeceasedisdeclaredtohave"receivedhishead,"andheis
promisedthatitshallnevermoredepartfromhim.Ontheconclusionof
the.ceremonieswhichconcerntheheadthedeceasedhasthepowerto
goinamongtheholyandperfectspirits,hisnameisexaltedamong
men,thedenizensofheavenreceivehissoul,thebeingsofthe
underworldbowdownbeforehisbody,thedwellersuponearthadore
him,andthe
p.190
inhabitantsofthefuneralmountainrenewforhimhisyouth.Besides
thesethings,AnubisandHorusmakeperfecthisbandages,andthegod
Thothprotectshismembersbyhiswordsofmagicalpowerandhe
himselfhaslearnedthemagicalformulwhicharenecessarytomake
hispathstraightintheunderworld,andalsotheproperwayinwhichto
utterthem.Allthesebenefitsweresecuredforhimbytheuseof
bandagesandunguentswhichpossessbothmagicalnamesand
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properties,andbythewordsofpowerutteredbythepriestswho
recitedtheRitualofEmbalmment,andbytheceremonieswhichthe
priestwhopersonatedAnubisperformedbesidethebodyofthe
deceasedinimitationofthosewhichthegodAnubisperformedforthe
deadgodOsirisinremotedays.
Nextthelefthandofthedeceasedwasmummifiedandbandaged
accordingtotheinstructionsgivenintheRitualofEmbalmment.The
handwasstretchedoutonapieceoflinen,andaringwaspassedover
thefingersitwasthenfilledwiththirtysixofthesubstanceswhich
wereusedinembalming,accordingtothenumberoftheformsofthe
godOsiris.Thisdone,thehandwasbandagedwithastripoflinenin
sixfolds,uponwhichweredrawnfiguresofIsisandHpi.Theright
handwastreatedinasimilarway,onlythefiguresdrawnuponthe
bandageswerethoseofRandAmsuandwhentheappropriatewords
hadbeen
p.191
recitedoverbothhandsdivineprotectionwasassuredthem.After
thesethingstheceremoniesconcerningtherightandleftarmswere
performed,andthesewerefollowedbyrubbingthesolesofthefeet
andthelegsandthethighs,firstwithblackstoneoil,andsecondly
withholyoil.Thetoeswerewrappedinlinen,andapieceoflinenwas
laidoneachlegoneachpiecewasdrawnthefigureofajackal,that
ontherightlegrepresentingAnubis,andthatontheleftHorus.When
flowersofthenkhamplantandothersubstanceshadbeenlaidbeside
andonthelegs,andtheyhadbeentreatedwithebonygumwaterand
holyoil,andappropriateaddresseshadbeensaid,theceremonyof
bandagingthebodywasended.Everythingthatcouldbedoneto
preservethebodywasnowdone,andeverymemberofitwas,by
meansofthewordsofpowerwhichchangedperishablesubstances
intoimperishable,protectedtoalleternitywhenthefinalcoveringof
purpleorwhitelinenhadbeenfasteneduponit,thebodywasreadyfor
thetomb.
ButtheRitualofEmbalmmentwhichhasbeenbrieflydescribedabove
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seemstobelongtoalateperiodofEgyptianhistory,andalthoughthe
ideasandbeliefscontainedinitareasoldasEgyptiancivilization
itself,itseemsasifitwasintendedtotaketheplaceofamucholder
andmoreelaborateworkwhichwasinuseasfarbackastheperiodin
whichtheGreatPyramidwasbuilt,andwhichwasintendedtobe
p.192
recitedduringtheperformanceofacomplexseriesofceremonies,
someofwhicharestillnotcompletelyunderstood.Itseemsasifthe
performanceofalltheceremonieswouldrequireseveraldays,anditis
clearthatonlythewealthycouldaffordtheexpensewhichmusthave
attendedsuchelaborateobsequiesforthepoorerclassesofmenthe
variousceremoniesmusthavebeengreatlycurtailed,andatavery
earlyperiodwefindthatashortenedformofritualhadtakentheir
place.Ofalltheceremonies,themostimportantwasthatofthe
"OpeningoftheMouthandEyes,"whichwasperformedeitheronthe
mummyitselforuponastatuewhichrepresentedit.Ithasalreadybeen
statedthattheEgyptiansbelievedthattheycouldtransmittoastatue
theattributesofthepersoninwhoseimageitwasmade,andsimilarly
thatthatwhichwasdonetothestatueofthemummifiedpersonwas
alsodonetoit.Theuseofastatueinsteadoftheactualmummyhas
obviousadvantages,fortheceremonycouldbeperformedatanytime
andinanyplace,andthepresenceofthemummywasunnecessary.As
amatteroffacttheceremonywasperformedinachamberatthe
entrancetothetomb,oroutsidethetombataplacewhichhadbeen
madeceremoniallypureorconsecrated,andthosewhotookpartinit
were:(1)TheKherheb,orchiefofficiatingpriest,whoheldarollof
papyrusinhishand.(2)TheSempriest.(3)TheSmer,whowas,
perhaps,someintimatefriendofthedeceased.
p.193
(4)TheSameref,1ormanwhowaseitherthesonofthedeceasedor
hisrepresentative.(5)TheTcherauur,orwomanwhorepresentedIsis.
(6)TheTcherausheraut,orwomanwhorepresentedNephthys.(7)
TheMenhu,orslaughterer.(8)TheAmasipriest.(9)TheAmkhent
priest.(10)Anumberofpeoplewhorepresentedthearmedguardof
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Horus.Allthesebecameactorsinsceneswhichwereintendedto
representtheeventswhichtookplaceinconnexionwiththeburialof
Osiris,withwhomthedeceasedisnowidentifiedthetwowomentook
thepartsofthegoddessesIsisandNephthys,andthementhoseofthe
godswhohelpedthemintheperformanceoftheirpiousduties.From
thescenes2whichaccompanythetexts3relatingtotheceremonyof
openingthemouthandeyesweseethatitbeganwiththesprinklingof
waterroundaboutthestatueormummyfromfourvessels,onefor
eachquarteroftheearth,andwiththerecitalofaddressestothegods
Horus,Set,Thoth,andSeptthisactrestoredtothedeceasedtheuseof
hishead.Thesprinklingofwaterwasfollowedbyapurificationby
meansofincense,alsocontainedinfourvases,oneforeachofthefour
quartersoftheearth.Theburning
p.194
ofthissweetsmellingsubstanceassistedinopeningthemouthofthe
deceasedandinstrengtheninghisheart.AtthisstagetheSempriest
dressedhimselfintheskinofacow,andlyingdownuponakindof
couchpretendedtobeasleepbuthewasrousedupbytheAmasi
priestinthepresenceoftheKherhebandtheAmkhentpriest,and
whentheSempriesthadseatedhimselfuponaseat,thefourmen
togetherrepresentedthefourchildrenofHorus,1orthegodswiththe
headsofahawk,anape,ajackal,andamanrespectively.TheSem
priestthensaid,"Ihaveseenmyfatherinallhisforms,"whichthe
othermeninturnrepeat.Themeaningofthisportionoftheceremony
ishardtoexplain,butM.Maspero2thinksthatitwasintendedtobring
backtothebodyofthedeceaseditsshadow(khaibit),whichhad
departedfromitwhenitdied.Thepreliminarypurificationsbeing
ended,andtheshadowhavingbeenjoinedtothebodyoncemore,the
statueormummyisapproachedbythemenwhorepresentthearmed
guardofHorusandoneoftheirnumber,havingtakenuponhimself
thecharacterofHorus,thesonofOsirisandIsis,touchesitsmouth
withhisfinger.TheKherhebnextmadereadytoperformthesacrifice
whichwasintendedtocommemoratetheslaughter,atsomeveryearly
period,ofthefiendswhowerethefriendsofSet.Itseemsthat,
p.195
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thesoulofHorusdweltinaneye,andthatSetnearlysucceededin
devouringitbutHorusvanquishedSetandsavedhiseye.Set's
associatesthenchangedthemselvesintotheformsofanimals,and
birds,andfish,buttheywerecaught,andtheirheadswerecutoffSet,
however,whowasconcealedintheformofapig,contrivedtoescape.
Thesacrificeconsistedofabull(orcow)ortwo,twogazellesor
antelopes,andducks.Whenthebullhadbeenslain,oneoftheforelegs
wascutoff,andthehearttakenout,andofferedtothestatueor
mummytheSempriestthentookthebleedinglegandtouched,or
pretendedtotouch,themouthandeyeswithitfourtimes.The
slaughteredgazellesorantelopesandducksweresimplyofferedbefore
thestatue.TheSempriestnextsaidtothestatue,"Ihavecometo
embracethee,IamthysonHorus,IhavepressedthymouthIamthy
son,Ilovethee....Thymouthwasclosed,butIhavesetinorderfor
theethymouthandthyteeth."Hethenbroughttwoinstruments,
called"Sebur"and"Tuntet"respectively,andtouchedthe
mouthofthestatueormummywiththem,whilsttheKherhebsaid,
"Thymouthwasclosed,butIhavesetinorderfortheethymouthand
thyteeth.Iopenfortheethymouth,Iopenfortheethytwoeyes.I
haveopenedfortheethymouthwiththeinstrumentofAnubis.Ihave
openedthymouthwiththeinstrumentofAnubis,withtheiron
implementwithwhichthemouthsofthe
p.196
godswereopened.Horus,openthemouth!Horus,openthemouth!
Horushathopenedthemouthofthedead,asheintimesofoldopened
themouthofOsiris,withtheironwhichcameforthfromSet,withthe
ironinstrumentwithwhichheopenedthemouthsofthegods.Hehath
openedthymouthwithit.Thedeceasedshallwalkandshallspeak,
andhisbodyshallbewiththegreatcompanyofthegodsintheGreat
HouseoftheAgedOneinAnnu,andheshallreceivetheretheureret
crownfromHorus,thelordofmankind."Thusthemouthandtheeyes
ofthedeceasedareopened.TheSempriestthentookinhishandthe
instrumentcalledurhekau,i.e.,the"mightyoneofenchantments,"a
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curious,sinuouspieceofwood,oneendofwhichisintheformofa
ram'sheadsurmountedbyauraeus,andtouchedthemouthandthe,
eyesofthestatueormummyfourtimes,whilsttheKherhebreciteda
longaddressinwhichhedeclaredthatthisportionoftheceremony
hadsecuredforthedeceasedallthebenefitswhichaccruedtothegod
OsirisfromtheactionsofNut,Horus,andSet,whenhewasina
similarstate.Ithasbeensaidabovethateverydeadmanhopedtobe
providedwiththehekau,orwordsofpower,whichwerenecessaryfor
himinthenextworld,butwithoutamouthitwasimpossibleforhim
toutterthem.Nowthatthemouth,orrathertheuseofit,wasrestored
tothedeceased,itwasallimportanttogive
p.197
himnotonlythewordsofpower,butalsotheabilitytoutterthem
correctlyandinsuchwisethatthegodsandotherbeingswould
hearkentothemandobeythemfourtouchesoftheurhekau
instrumentonthelipsendowedthedeceasedwiththefacultyof
utteringtheproperwordsinthepropermannerineachofthefour
quartersoftheworld.Whenthishadbeendone,severalother
ceremonieswereperformedwiththeobjectofallowingthe"sonwho
lovethhim"orhisrepresentativetotakepartintheopeningofthe
mouthofhisfather.Inordertodothishetookinhishandametal
chiselandtouchedtheopeningsofthemouthandoftheeyes,andthen
theSempriesttouchedthemfirstwithhislittlefinger,andafterwards
withalittlebagfilledwithpiecesofredstoneorcarnelian,withthe
idea,M.Masperothinks,ofrestoringtothelipsandeyelidsthecolour
whichtheyhadlostduringtheprocessofmummification.The"son
wholoveshim"thentookfourobjectscalled"ironoftheSouth,and
ironoftheNorth,"andlaideachofthemfourtimesuponthemouth
andtheeyeswhiletheKherhebrecitedtheproperaddressinwhich
themummyorstatueissaidtohavehadhismouthandlipsestablished
firmly.Thisdone,theSempriestbringsaninstrumentcalledthe"Pesh
enkef,"
andtouchesthemouthofthemummyorstatue
therewith,andsays,"OOsiris,Ihavestablishedfortheethetwojaw
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p.198
inthyface,andtheyarenowseparated"thatistosay,thebandages
withwhichtheyhavebeentiedupcannolongerpreventtheir
movementwhenthedeceasedwishestoeat.AfterthePeshenkefhad
beenusedtheSempriestbroughtforwardabasketorvesselofsome
kindoffoodintheshapeofballs,andbytheorderoftheKherheb
offeredthemtothemouthofthemummy,andwhenthisportionofthe
ceremonywasended,theSempriesttookanostrichfeather,andwaved
itbeforeitsfacefourtimes,butwithwhatobjectisnotclear.Suchare
theceremonieswhichitwasthoughtnecessarytoperforminorderto
restoretothedeceasedthefunctionswhichhisbodypossessedupon
earth.Butitmustberememberedthathithertoonlythe"bullofthe
south"hasbeensacrificed,andthatthe"bullofthenorth"hasyettobe
offeredupandalltheceremonieswhichhavebeenalreadyperformed
mustberepeatedifthedeceasedwouldhavethepowertogoforthat
willoverthewholeearth.FromtheearliesttimestheSouthandthe
Northwerethetwogreatsectionsintowhichtheworldwasdivided,
andeachsectionpossesseditsownspecialgods,allofwhomhadtobe
propitiatedbythedeceasedhencemostreligiousceremonieswere
orderedtobeperformedinduplicate.Inlaterdayseachsectionwas
dividedintotwoparts,andthefourdivisionsthusmadewere
apportionedtothefourchildrenofHorushenceprayersandformul
p.199
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Theceremonyof"openingthemouth"beingperformedonthe
mummyofHunefer,aboutB.C.1350
(FromthePapyrusofHunefer,sheet5)
p.201
wereusuallysaidfourtimes,onceinhonourofeachgod,andthe
rubricaldirectionsonthispointaredefinite.
Inthelimitedspaceofthisbookitisnotpossibletoreproduceallthe
scenesoftheceremonyofopeningthemouthandtheeyeswhichare
depictedinthetombsandelsewhere,butonpage199isageneralview
oftheceremonyasitisoftengiveninthepapyrioftheXVIIIthand
XIXthdynasties.Ontherightweseethepyramidaltombinthe
Thebanhillwithitsopendoor,andbythesideofitisthefuneralstele
witharoundedtopinscribedwithafigureofthedeceasedstandingin
adorationbeforeOsiris,andwithaprayertothegodforsepulchral
offerings.Anubis,thegodofthedead,embracesthemummy,thus
indicatinghisreadinesstotakethedeceasedunderhisprotection.
Nasha,thewifeofthedeceased,standsweepingbeforethemummy,
andathisfeetkneelsanotherweepingwoman,probablyhisdaughter.
Anubisandthemummystanduponalayerofsandwhichhasbeen
placedtherewiththeobjectofsanctifyingtheground.Apriestcladin
apanther'sskinholdsacensercontainingburningincenseinonehand,
andavase,fromwhichhesprinkleswater,intheother.Oneministrant
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holdsthetwoinstruments"Tuntet"and"Sebur"intherighthand,and
the"Urhekau"instrumentintheleftandanotheroffersfourvasesof
unguent.Inthelowerregisterareacowandher
p.202
calf,andtwomenarecarryingalongtothemummythehaunchwhich
wemustassumetohavebeenrecentlycutfromtheslaughteredbull,
andtheheartwhichhasjustbeentakenoutofhim.Onatablewesee
lyinganumberofobjects,the"Meskhet,"andPeshenkef,"andother
instruments,twosetsoffourvasesforholdingunguentsandoil,the
bagsofcolour,theironofthesouthandnorth,etc.Thetextwhichruns
inshortverticallinesabovethescenereads:"TheChapterofthe
openingofthemouthofthestatueofOsiris,theroyalscribe,Hunefer,
whichistobeperformed[when]itsface[looketh]towardsthesouth,
[andwhenitisset]uponthesandbehindhim.AndtheKherhebshall
sayfourtimesuntotheSempriestashegoethroundabouthimbearing
fourvasesofwater:'ThouartpurewiththepurificationofHorus,and
Horusispurewiththypurification.Thouartpurewiththepurification
ofThoth,andThothispurewiththypurification.Thouartpurewith
thepurificationofSep,andSepispurewiththypurification.Thouart
purewiththepurificationofSeb,andSebispurewiththypurification.
Pure.Pure.'[Say]fourtimes.'Incensehathbeenoffereduntotheeof
theincenseofHorus,andincensehathbeenoffereduntoHorusofthy
incense.IncensehathbeenoffereduntotheeoftheincenseofThoth,
andincensehathbeenoffereduntoThothofthyincense.Incensehath
beenoffereduntotheeof
p.203
theincenseofSep,andincensehathbeenoffereduntoSepofthy
incense.IncensehathbeenoffereduntotheeoftheincenseofSeb,and
incensehathbeenoffereduntoSebofthyincense.'"Theabovewords
areallthetextthatthescribeconsidereditnecessarytogiveinthe
PapyrusofHunefer,andthathecurtailedtherepresentationofthe
ceremonyofopeningthemouthandeyesasmuchaspossibleis
evident.
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Theperformanceoftheceremonyofopeningthemouthwasfollowed
byanumberofotherlessimportantceremonieswhichhadfortheir
objecttheprovidingofthemummyorstatuewithscents,and
unguents,andvariousarticlesofwearingapparelthesewerenot
essentials,butsufficientimportancewasattachedtothemtomakethe
performanceofthemalmostobligatory.Amongtheobjectspresented
tothedeceasedintheseceremoniesscentsandperfumedunguentsplay
aprominentpart,andthisisnottobewonderedat.Tocertainkindsof
oil,magicalpropertieshavebeenattachedfromtimeimmemorialin
theEast,andtheimportantplacewhichtheyoccupiedinthe
ceremoniesandritualsofmanynationsprovesthatremarkableeffects
wereexpectedtofollowtheiruse.Thelivingmadeuseofoiltosoften
theskinandtopreserveitfromtheparchingheatofthesun,andthe
deadwereanointedwithitduringtheprocessofmummificationsothat
theirskinsmight,throughthe
p.204
magicalwordswhichwerepronouncedwhilstitwasbeingrubbedon
them,remainsoftforalltime,andsothatthecurativepropertiesofthe
oilmighthealthewoundswhichthemummifiershadmade.Aglance
atthemedicalpapyriofEgyptwillshewthatoilappearsinscoresof
prescriptions,anditwasnolessusefultothemagician1thantothe
physicianinproducinggoodorevilresults.Itseemstohavebeenused
withtheideaofeffectingtransformationsbytheformer,justasitwas
employedbythepriestintheperformanceofcertainimportant
religiousceremonies,andacurioussurvivalofthisuseismentioned
byLucian,2whorelatesthatawomantransformedherselfintoanight
ravenbyitsmeans.Thewomanfirstundressedherself,andgoingtoa
lampthrewtwograinsofincenseintotheflameandrecitedcertain
wordsshethenwenttoalargechestcontainingseveralbottles,and
takingoutonewhich,thewriterthinks,containedoil,rubbedallher
bodywiththeliquid,fromheadtofoot,beginningwiththeendsofthe
nails,andsuddenlyfeathersandwingsbegantogrowuponher,anda
hooked,hornybeaktooktheplaceofhernose.Inaveryshorttimeshe
resembledabirdineveryrespect,andwhenshesawthatshewaswell
feathered,sheflewupwardsand,utteringthecryofanightraven,
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disappearedthroughthewindow.1Inconnexionwiththerecitalof
certainChaptersoftheBookoftheDeadanumberofinteresting
ceremonieswereperformed,butastheyonlyillustratethebeliefs
describedabovetheyneednotbementionedhere.
Footnotes
185:1InMmoiresurquelquesPapyrusduLouvre,Paris,1875.
193:1I.e.,"thesonwholovethhim."
193:2SeeDmichen,DerGrabpalastdesPatuamenap,Leipzig,vol.
i.,1884vol.ii.,1885vol.iii.,1891andChampollion,Monuments,
Paris,1845,tom.iii.,plates213248.
193:3SeeSchiaparelli,IlLibrodeiFuneralidegliantichiEgiziani,
Turin,1882seealsoMaspero,LeRitueldusacrificefunraire(Revue
del'HistoiredesReligions,tom.xv.,p.159ff.).
194:1I.e.,Mestha,Hpi,TuamutefandQebhsennuf.
194:2Op.cit.,p.168.
204:1Seethedescriptionoftheceremonyofthebeetle,p.42.
204:2LuciusSiveAsinus,xlii.,12(ed.Didot,p.419).Comparealso54
(p.466).
205:1Fromthewords,
{GreekXrsmatimemageumnwje?palepsasa?non
poih'seie}(seeLuciussiveAsinus,xlii.,54,ed.Didot,p.466),itis
clearthatthepersonwhoisspeakingbelievedthathehadbeen
transformedintoanassbymeansoftheuseof"bewitchedoil."
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Next:ChapterVII.DemoniacalPossession,Dreams,Ghosts,Lucky
andUnluckyDays,Horoscopes,Prognostications,Transformations,
andtheWorshipofAnimals
p.206
CHAPTERVII.
DEMONIACALPOSSESSION,DREAMS,GHOSTS,
LUCKYANDUNLUCKYDAYS,HOROSCOPES,
PROGNOSTICATIONS,TRANSFORMATIONS,AND
THEWORSHIPOFANIMALS.
THEEgyptians,incommonwithmanyotherEasternnations,believed
thatcertainsicknessesanddiseasesmightbecuredbycertain
medicamentspureandsimple,butthatothersneedednotonlydrugs
buttherecitalofwordsofpowertoeffecttheircure.Thereisgood
reasonforthinkingthatsomediseaseswereattributedtotheactionof
evilspiritsordemons,whichhadthepowerofenteringintohuman
bodiesandofvexingtheminproportiontotheirmalignantnatureand
influence,1butthetextsdonotaffordmuchinformationonthematter.
Incidentally,however,wehaveoneinterestingproofthatforeign
peoplesbelievedthattheEgyptianswereabletocurethediseases
causedbydemoniacalpossession,andtheexerciseoftheirpower
p.207
ontheoccasiondescribedwasconsideredtobesonoteworthythatthe
narrativeofitwasinscribeduponastele1andsetupinthetemple2of
thegodKhonsuatThebes,sothatallmenmightreadandknowwhata
marvellouscurehispriestshadeffected.ItappearsthatkingRameses
II.wasinMesopotamia"accordingtohiswont,yearbyyear,"andall
thechiefsofthecountriesroundaboutcametopaytheirrespectsto
him,andtheysoughttoobtainhisgoodwillandprotection,probably
evenanalliance,bybringingtohimgiftsofgold,andlapislazuli,and
turquoise,andofeverykindofvaluablethingwhichtheland
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p.208
andeverymansoughttooutdohisneighbourbythelavishnessofhis
gifts.AmongotherstherecamethePrinceofBekhten,andatthehead
ofalltheofferingswhichhepresentedtoHisMajestyheplacedhis
eldestdaughter,whowasverybeautiful.Whenthekingsawherhe
thoughtherthemostbeautifulgirlhehadeverseen,andhebestowed
uponherthetitleof"Royalspouse,chieflady,Rneferu"(i.e.,"the
beautiesofR,"theSungod),andtookhertoEgyptandwhenthey
arrivedinthatcountrythekingmarriedher.Onedayduringthe
fifteenthyearoftheking'sreign,whenHisMajestywasinThebes
celebratingthefestivalofAmenR,amessengercametothekingand
reportedthearrivalofanambassadorfromthePrinceofBekhtenwho
hadbroughtrichgiftsfortheroyalladyRneferu.Whenhehadbeen
ledintotheking'spresence,hedidhomagebeforehim,saying,"Glory
andpraisebeuntothee,OthouSunofthenationsgrantthatwemay
livebeforethee!"Havingsaidthesewordsbeboweddownand
touchedthegroundwithhisheadthreetimes,andsaid,"Ihavecome
untothee,OmysovereignLord,onbehalfoftheladyBententresht,
theyoungersisteroftheroyalspouseRneferu,for,behold,anevil
diseasehathlaidholduponherbodyIbeseechthyMajestytosenda
physician1toseeher."Thenthekingstraightwayorderedthebooksof
the"doublehouse
p.209
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StelerecordingthecastingoutofthedevilfromthePrincessof
Bekhten.OntherightthekingisofferingIncensetoKhonsuNefer
hetep,andontheleftapriestisofferingincensetoKhonsu,"thegreat
godwhodrivethawaydevils."(FromPrisse,Monuments,plate24.)
p.211
oflife"tobebroughtandthelearnedmentoappear,andwhenthey
hadcomeintohispresenceheorderedthemtochoosefromamong
theirnumberaman"wiseofheartandcunningoffinger,"thathe
mightsendhimtoBekhtentheydidso,andtheirchoicefelluponone
Tehutiemheb.Thissagehavingcomebeforethekingwasorderedto
setoutforBekhtenincompanywiththeambassador,andhedeparted
andwhentheyhadarrivedtheretheEgyptianpriestfoundthelady
Bententreshttobepossessedofademonorspiritoverwhichhewas
powerless.ThePrinceofBekhten,seeingthatthepriestwasunableto
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affordrelieftohisdaughter,sentonceagaintotheking,andentreated
himtosendagodtohishelp.
WhentheambassadorfromBekhtenarrivedinEgyptthekingwasin
Thebes,andonhearingwhatwasaskedhewentintothetempleof
KhonsuNeferhetep,andbesoughtthatgodtoallowhiscounterpart
KhonsutodeparttoBekhtenandtodeliverthedaughteroftheprince
ofthatcountryfromthepowerofthedemonthatpossessedher.It
seemsasifthesageTehutiemhebhadbeensenttoBekhtenbythe
adviceofthegod,forthekingsays,inaddressing,thegod,"Ihave
comeonceagainintothypresence"butinanycaseKhonsuNefer
hetepagreedtohisrequest,andafourfoldmeasureofmagicalpower
wasimpartedtothestatueofthegodwhichwastogotoBekhten.The
god,seatedinhisboat,andfiveother
p.212
boatswithfiguresofgodsinthem,accompaniedbychariotsand
horsesontherighthandandontheleft,setoutfromEgypt,andafter
travellingforseventeenmonthsarrivedinBekhten,wheretheywere
receivedwithgreathonour.ThegodKhonsuwenttotheplacewhere
Bententreshtwas,and,havingperformedamagicalceremonyover
her,thedemondepartedfromherandshewascuredstraightway.Then
thedemonaddressedtheEgyptiangod,saying,"Gratefulandwelcome
isthycominguntous,Ogreatgod,thouvanquisherofthehostsof
darkness!Bekhtenisthycity,theinhabitantsthereofarethyslaves,
andIamthyservantandIwilldepartuntotheplacewhenceIcame
thatImaygratifythee,foruntothisendhastthoucomethither.AndI
beseechthyMajestytocommandthatthePrinceofBekhtenandImay
holdafestivaltogether."Tothedemon'srequestKhonsuagreed,and
hecommandedhispriesttotellthePrinceofBekhtentomakeagreat
festivalinhonourofthedemonthishavingbeendonebythe
commandofKhonsuthedemondepartedtohisownplace.
WhenthePrinceofBekhtensawthatKhonsuwasthuspowerful,he
andallhispeoplerejoicedexceedingly,andhedeterminedthatthegod
shouldnotbeallowedtoreturntoEgypt,andasaresultKhonsu
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remainedinBekhtenforthreeyears,fourmonths,andfivedays.Ona
certainday,however,thePrincewas
p.213
sleeping.,andhedreamedadreaminwhichhesawthegodKhonsu
comeforthfromhisshrineintheformofahawkofgold,andhaving
mountedintotheairheflewawaytoEgypt.ThePrincewokeupina
stateofgreatperturbation,andhavinginquiredoftheEgyptianpriest
wastoldbyhimthatthegodhaddepartedtoEgypt,andthathischariot
mustnowbesentback.ThenthePrincegavetoKhonsugreatgifts,
andtheyweretakentoEgyptandlaidbeforethegodKhonsuNefer
hetepinhistempleatThebes.InearlyChristianliteratureswefinda
numberofexamplesofdemoniacalpossessioninwhichthedemon
whohasenteredthebodyyieldsitupbeforeademonofgreaterpower
thanhimself,butthedemonwhoisexpelledisinvariablyhostileto
himthatexpelshim,andhedepartsfrombeforehimwitheverysignof
wrathandshame.Thefactthatitwasbelievedpossibleforthedemon
ofBekhtenandthegodKhonsutofraternize,andtobepresent
togetheratafestivalmadebythePrinceofthecountry,shewsthatthe
peopleofBekhtenascribedthesameattributestospiritsordemonsas
theydidtomen.Thedemonwhopossessedtheprincessrecognizedin
Khonsuabeingwhowasmightierthanhimself,and,likeavanquished
king,hewishedtomakethebesttermshecouldwithhisconqueror,
andtobeongoodtermswithhim.
TheEgyptiansbelievedthatthedivinepowersfrequentlymadeknown
theirwilltothembymeansof
p.214
dreams,andtheyattachedconsiderableimportancetothemthefigures
ofthegodsandthesceneswhichtheysawwhendreamingseemedto
themtoprovetheexistenceofanotherworldwhichwasnotgreatly
unlikethatalreadyknowntothem.Theknowledgeoftheartof
procuringdreamsandtheskilltointerpretthemweregreatlyprizedin
EgyptaselsewhereintheEast,andthepriestorofficialwhopossessed
suchgiftssometimesrosetoplacesofhigh.honourinthestate,aswe
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mayseefromtheexampleofJoseph,1foritwasuniversallybelieved
thatglimpsesofthefuturewererevealedtomanindreams.As
instancesofdreamsrecordedintheEgyptiantextsmaybequoted
thoseofThothmesIV.,kingofEgyptaboutB.C.1450,andNutAmen,
kingoftheEasternSdnandEgypt,aboutB.C.670.Aprince,
accordingtothestelewhichhesetupbeforethebreastoftheSphinxat
Gizeh,wasonedayhuntingnearthisemblemofRHarmachis,andhe
satdowntorestunderitsshadowandfellasleepanddreamedadream.
Initthegodappearedtohim,and,havingdeclaredthathewasthegod
HarmachisKheperaRTemu,promisedhimthatifhewouldclear
awayfromtheSphinx,hisownimage,thedriftsandinwhichitwas
becomingburied,hewouldgivetohimthesovereigntyofthelandsof
theSouthandoftheNorth,i.e.,ofallEgypt.Induecoursetheprince
becamekingofEgyptunderthetitleofThothmesIV.,andthestele
p.215
whichisdatedonthe19thdayofthemonthHathorofthefirstyearof
ThothmesIV.provesthattheroyaldreamercarriedoutthewishesof
thegod.1OfNutAmen,thesuccessorofthegreatPinkhiwhocame
downfromGebelBarkalandconqueredallEgyptfromSyenetothe
sea,wereadthatinthefirstyearofhisreignheonenightdreameda
dreamwhereinhesawtwoserpents,oneonhisrighthandandthe
otheronhisleftwhenheawoketheyhaddisappeared.Havingasked
foraninterpretationofthedreamhewastold:"ThelandoftheSouth
isthine,andthoushalthavedominionoverthelandoftheNorth:the
WhiteCrownandtheRedCrownshalladornthyhead.Thelengthand
thebreadthofthelandshallbegivenuntothee,andthegodAmen,the
onlygod,shallbewiththee."2Thetwoserpentswerethesymbolsof
thegoddessesNekhebetandUatchet,themistressesoftheSouthand
Northrespectively.AstheresultofhisdreamNutAmeninvaded
Egyptsuccessfullyandbroughtbackmuchspoil,aportionofwhichhe
dedicatedtotheserviceofhisgodAmen.
Sincedreamsandvisionsinwhichthefuturemightberevealedtothe
sleeperweregreatlydesired,theEgyptianmagiciansethimselfto
procuresuchforhisclientsbyvariousdevices,suchasdrawing
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magicalpicturesandrecitingmagicalwords.Thefollowing
p.216
areexamplesofspellsforprocuringavisionanddreams,takenfrom
BritishMuseumPapyrus,No.122,lines64ff.and359ff.1"Toobtain
avisionfrom[thegod]Bes.MakeadrawingofBesa,asshewnbelow,
onyourlefthand,andenvelopeyourhandinastripofblackcloththat
hasbeenconsecratedtoIsis(?)andliedowntosleepwithoutspeaking
aword,eveninanswertoaquestion.Windtheremainderofthecloth
roundyourneck.Theinkwithwhichyouwritemustbecomposedof
thebloodofacow,thebloodofawhitedove,fresh(?)frankincense,
myrrh,blackwritingink,cinnabar,mulberryjuice,rainwater,andthe
juiceofwormwoodandvetch.Withthiswriteyourpetitionbeforethe
settingsun,[saying],cSendthetruthfulseeroutoftheholyshrine,I
beseechthee,Lampsuer,Sumarta,Baribas,Dardalam,Iorlex:OLord
sendthesacreddeityAnuth,Anuth,Salbana,Chambr,Breth,now,
now,quickly,quickly.Comeinthisverynight.'"2
"Toprocuredreams:Takeacleanlinenbagandwriteuponitthe
namesgivenbelow.Folditupandmakeitintoalampwick,andsetit
alight,pouringpureoiloverit.Thewordtobewrittenisthis:
'Armiuth,Lailamchoch,Arsenophrephren,Phtha,Archentechtha.'
Thenintheevening,whenyouare
p.217
goingtobed,whichyoumustdowithouttouchingfood[or,purefrom
alldefilement],dothus.Approachthelampandrepeatseventimesthe
formulagivenbelow:thenextinguishitandliedowntosleep.The
formulaisthis:'Sachmu...epamaLigoterench:theAeon,the
Thunderer,Thouthathastswallowedthesnakeanddostexhaustthe
moon,anddostraiseuptheorbofthesuninhisseason,Chthethois
thynameIrequire,Olordsofthegods,Seth,Chreps,givemethe
informationthatIdesire.'"
ThepeculiarideaswhichtheEgyptiansheldaboutthecompositionof
mangreatlyfavouredthebeliefinapparitionsandghosts.Accordingto
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themamanconsistedofaphysicalbody,ashadow,adouble,asoul,a
heart,aspiritcalledthekhu,apower,aname,andaspiritualbody.
Whenthebodydiedtheshadowdepartedfromit,andcouldonlybe
broughtbacktoitbytheperformanceofamysticalceremonythe
doublelivedinthetombwiththebody,andwastherevisitedbythe
soulwhosehabitationwasinheaven.Thesoulwas,fromoneaspect,a
materialthing,andliketheka,ordouble,wasbelievedtopartakeof
thefuneralofferingswhichwerebroughttothetomboneofthechief
objectsofsepulchralofferingsofmeatanddrinkwastokeepthe
doubleinthetombandtodoawaywiththenecessityofitswandering
aboutoutsidethetombinsearchoffood.Itisclearfrommanytexts
that,unlessthedoublewassuppliedwithsufficientfood,
p.218
itwouldwanderforthfromthetombandeatanykindofoffaland
drinkanykindofdirtywaterwhichitmightfindinitspath.But
besidestheshadow,andthedouble,andthesoul,thespiritofthe
deceased,whichusuallyhaditsabodeinheaven,wassometimestobe
foundinthetomb.Thereis,however,goodreasonforstatingthatthe
immortalpartofmanwhichlivedinthetombandhaditsspecialabode
inthestatueofthedeceasedwasthe"double."Thisisprovedbythe
factthataspecialpartofthetombwasreservedfortheka,ordouble,
whichwascalledthe"houseoftheka,"andthatapriest,calledthe
"priestoftheka,"wasspeciallyappointedtoministertherein.The
doubleenjoyedthesmelloftheincensewhichwasofferedatcertain
timeseachyearinthetomb,aswellastheflowers,andherbs,and
meat,anddrinkandthestatueofthedeceasedinwhichthedouble
dwelttookpleasureinallthevarioussceneswhichwerepaintedor
sculpturedonthewallsofthevariouschambersofthetomb,and
enjoyedagainallthedelightswhichhisbodyhadenjoyeduponearth.
Theka,ordouble,then,inveryearlytimeswas,toallintentsand
purposes,theghostoftheEgyptians.Inlatertimesthekhu,or"spirit,"
seemstohavebeenidentifiedwithit,andtherearefrequentallusions
inthetextstothesanctityoftheofferingsmadetothekhu,andtotheir
territories,i.e.,thedistrictsinwhichtheirmummifiedbodieslie.
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Whethertherewasanygeneralbeliefthattheka
p.219
orkhucouldordidholdintercoursewithhisrelativesorfriendswhom
heleftaliveuponearthcannotbesaid,butaninstanceisknownin
whichahusbandcomplainstohiswife,whohasbeendeadforthree
years,ofthetroubleswhichshehasbroughtuponhimsinceherdeath.
Hedescribeshisownmeritsandthegoodtreatmentwhichhehad
vouchsafedtoherwhenshewasalive,anddeclaresthattheevilwith
whichsheisrequitinghimisnottobeendured.Tomakehiscomplaint
toreachherhefirstreducedittowritinguponpapyrus,thenwentto
hertombandreaditthere,andfinallytiedthepapyrustoastatueor
figureofhiswifewhichwasthereinsinceherdoubleorspiritlivedin
thetombshewould,ofcourse,readthewritingandunderstandit.1Itis
apitythatwehavenomeansofknowingwhatwastheresultofthe
husband'scomplaint.Elsewhere2wehaveafragmentofaconversation
whichapriestofAmencalledKhonsuemheb,whowassearchingfor
asuitableplaceinwhichtobuildhistomb,holdswiththe.doubleor
spiritofsomepersonwhomhehasdisturbed,andthespiritofthedead
tellssomedetailsofhislifetothelivingman.Thecemeterieswere
regardedwithawebytheancientEgyptiansbecauseofthespiritsof
thedead
p.220
whodweltinthem,andeventheArabicspeakingpeoplesofEgypt
andtheSdn,ifweexcludethe"antiquitygrubber,"havethemin
greatrespectforthesamereason.1ThemodernpeoplesoftheSdn
firmlybelievethatthespiritsofthoseslaininbattledwellonthefield
wheretheyfell,orwheretheirbodiesareburied,andthesoldiersinthe
tenthbattalionofLordKitchener'sarmydeclarethatthegraveofthe
gallantMajorSidney,whowasshotwhilechargingattheheadofhis
regiment,inthebattleofAbHamed,August7th,1897,"iswatched
regularlyeverynightbytheghostsofthenativesoldierswhowere
killedatAbHamed,andwhomountguardovertheirdead
commander'stomb,challenging,witheverymilitarydetail,allpassers
by.Soimplicitlyisthislegendcreditedbytheblacksthatnoneof
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themwill,afterdusk,approachthegrave.Anyonedoingsoisbelieved
tobepromptlyhaltedbyaphantomsentry,andeventhewords(in
Arabic),'Guard,turnout!'areoften(sothestorygoes)plainlyheard
repeatedatsomedistanceoffacrossthedesert."1
p.222
TheEgyptiansbelievedthataman'sfateordestinywasdecidedbefore
hewasborn,andthathehadnopowerwhatevertoalterit.Theirsages,
however,professedtobeabletodeclarewhatthefatemightbe,
providedthattheyweregivencertaindata,thatistosay,iftheywere
toldthedateofhisbirth,andiftheywereabletoascertaintheposition
oftheplanetsandstarsatthattime.Thegoddessoffateordestinywas
called"Shai,"andsheisusuallyaccompaniedbyanothergoddess
called"Renenet,"whoiscommonlyregardedastheladyoffortune
theybothappearintheJudgmentScene,wheretheyseemtowatchthe
weighingoftheheartonbehalfofthedeceased.Butanothergoddess,
Meskhenet,issometimespresent,andshealsoseemstohavehad
influenceoveraman'sfutureinanycaseshewasabletopredictwhat
thatfuturewastobe.ThuswereadthatsheandIsis,andNephthys,
andHeqet,disguisedaswomen,wenttothehouseofRuser,whose
wifeRTettetwasintravailwhentheyhadbeentakenintoherroom
theyassistedheringivingbirthtotriplets,andaseachchildwasborn
Meskhenetdeclared,"Heshallbeakingwhoshallhavedominionover
thewholeland."
p.223
Andthisprophecywasfulfilled,forthethreeboysbecame
threeofthekingsoftheVthdynasty.1TheSevenHathorgoddesses
alsocouldpredictthefutureofahumanbeing,forinthewellknown
"TaleofTwoBrothers"itisrelatedthat,whenthegodKhnemu,atthe
requestofRHarmachis,hadcreatedforBataawife"whowasmore
beautifulinherpersonthananyotherwomaninalltheearth,forthe
essenceofeverygodwascontainedinher,"theycametoseeher,and
thattheyspakewithonevoice,saying,"Herdeathwillbecausedby
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theknife."Andthiscametopass,for,accordingtothestory,whenthe
kingwhosewifeshebecameheardfromherfirsthusbandthatshehad
lefthimandhadwroughtevilagainsthim,heenteredintojudgment
withherinthepresenceofhischiefsandnobles,and"onecarriedout
theirdecree,"i.e.,theysentencedhertodeathandshewasexecuted.
Similarly,inanotherstory,theSevenHathorscametoseethesonwho
hadbeenborntoacertainkinginanswertohisprayerstothegods,
andwhentheyhadseenhimtheysaid,"Heshalldiebymeansofa
crocodile,oraserpent,oradog."Thestorygoesontosayhowbe
escapedfromthecrocodileandtheserpent,andthoughtheendis
wanting,itisquiteclearthathewaswoundedbyanaccidentalbiteof
hisdogandsodied.2Themoralofallsuchstories
p.224
isthatthereisnopossibilityofavoidingfate,anditismostprobable
thatthemodernEgyptianhasonlyinheritedhisancestors'viewsasto
itsimmutability.1Aman'slifemight,however,behappyorunhappy
accordingasthehourofthedayorthedayitselfwasluckyorunlucky,
andeverydayoftheEgyptianyearwasdividedintothreeparts,each
ofwhichwasluckyorunlucky.WhenOlympiaswasabouttogive
birthtoAlexandertheGreat,Nectanebusstoodbyhermaking
observationsoftheheavenlybodies,andfromtimetotimehe
besoughthertorestrainherselfuntiltheauspicioushourhadarrived
anditwasnotuntilhesawacertainsplendourintheskyandknewthat
alltheheavenlybodieswereinafavourablepositionthathepermitted
hertobrine,forthherchild.Andwhenhehadsaid,"Oqueen,now
thouwiltgivebirthtoagovernoroftheworld,"thechildfelluponthe
groundwhiletheearthquaked,andthelightningsflashed,andthe
thunderroared.2Thusitisquiteevidentthatthefutureofachild
dependedevenuponthehourinwhichhewasborn.
Inmagicalpapyriweareoftentoldnottoperformcertainmagical
ceremoniesonsuchandsuchdays,theideabeingthatonthesedays
hostilepowerswillmakethemtobepowerless,andthatgodsmightier
than
p.225
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thosetowhichthepetitionerwouldappealwillbeintheascendant.
Therehavecomedowntous,fortunately,papyricontainingcopiesof
theEgyptiancalendar,inwhicheachthirdofeverydayforthree
hundredandsixtydaysoftheyearismarkedluckyorunlucky,andwe
knowfromotherpapyriwhycertaindayswereluckyorunlucky,and
whyotherswereonlypartlyso1.TakingthemonthThoth,whichwas
thefirstmonthoftheEgyptianyear,andbegan,accordingtothe
GregorianCalendar,onAugust29th,wefindthatthedaysaremarked
asfollows:
p.226
Nowthesign means"lucky,"and means"unlucky"thusata

glanceitcouldbeseenwhichthirdofthedayisluckyorunlucky,and
themanwhoconsultedthecalendarwould,ofcourse,actaccordingly.
Itmustbenotedthatthepriestsormagicianswhodrewupthecalendar
hadgoodreasonsfortheirclassificationofthedays,aswemaysee
fromthefollowingexample.The19thdayofThothis,intheabove
list,markedwhollylucky,i.e.,eachthirdofitislucky,andthepapyrus
SallierIV.1alsomarksitwhollylucky,andaddsthereason:"Itisa
dayoffestivalinheavenanduponearthinthepresenceofR.Itisthe
daywhenflamewashurleduponthosewhofollowedtheboat
containingtheshrineofthegodsandonthisdaythegodsgavepraises
beingcontent,"etc.Butinbothliststhe26thdayismarkedwholly
unlucky,thereasonbeing,"Thiswasthedayofthefightbetween
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HorusandSet."Theyfirstfoughtintheformofmen,thentheytook
theformofbears,andinthisstatedidbattlewitheachotherforthree
daysandthreenights.IsisaidedSetwhenhewasgettingtheworstin
thefight,andHorusthereuponcutoffhismother'shead,whichThoth
transformedbyhiswordsofpowerintothatofacowandputonher
body.OnthisdayofferingsaretobemadetoOsirisandThoth,but
workofanykindisabsolutelyforbidden.Thecalendarsoflucky
p.227
andunluckydaysdonot,however,alwaysagreeastoagivenday.
Thusinthelistgivenabovethe20thdayofThothismarkedwholly
unlucky,butinthepapyrusSallierIV.itiswhollylucky,butthereader
istoldnottodoanyworkinit,nortoslayoxen,nortoreceivea
strangeronthisdaythegodswhoareinthefollowingofRslewthe
rebels.Concerningthefourthdayofthenextmonth,Paophi,the
papyrusSallierIV.says,"Gonotforthfromthyhousefromanysideof
itwhosoeverisbornonthisdayshalldieofthediseaseaat."
Concerningthefifthdayitsays,"Gonotforthfromthyhousefrom
anysideofit,andholdnointercoursewithwomen.Thisistheday
whereinallthingswereperformedinthedivinepresence,andthe
majestyofthegodMenthuwassatisfiedtherein.Whosoeverisbornon
thisdayshalldieofexcessivevenery."Concerningtheninthdayit
says,"Whosoeverisbornonthisdayshalldieofoldage,"and
concerningthefifteenth,"Gonotforthfromthydwellingateventide,
fortheserpentUatch,thesonofthegod,goethforthatthistime,and
misfortunesfollowhimwhosoevershallseehimshalllosehiseye
straightway."Again,thetwentysixthdayofPaophiwasaluckyday
formakingtheplanofahouseonthefifthdayofHathornofirewas
tobekindledinthehouseonthesixteenthdayitwasforbiddento
listentosongsofjoybecauseonthisdayIsisandNephthysweptfor
OsirisatAbydos
p.228
amanbornonthetwentythirddaywoulddiebydrowningandsoon.
Buttothethreehundredandsixtydaysgiveninthecalendarsoflucky
andunluckydaysmustbeaddedthefiveepagomenaldayswhichwere
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consideredtobeofgreatimportanceandhadeachitspeculiarname.
OnthefirstOsiriswasborn,onthesecondHeruur(Aroueris),onthe
thirdSet,onthefourthIsis,andonthefifthNephthysthefirst,third,
andfifthofthesedayswereunlucky,andnoworkofanykindwasto
beundertakenonthem.Therubricwhichreferstothesedays1states
thatwhosoeverknoweththeirnamesshallneversufferfromthirst,that
heshallneverbesmittendownbydisease,andthatthegoddess
Sekhet2shallnevertakepossessionofhimitalsodirectsthatfigures
ofthefivegodsmentionedaboveshallbedrawnwithunguentandnti
scentuponapieceoffinelinen,evidentlytoserveasanamulet.
FromthelifeofAlexandertheGreatbyPseudoCallisthenes3welearn
thattheEgyptianswereskilledintheartofcastingnativities,andthat
knowingtheexactmomentofthebirthofamantheyproceededto
constructhishoroscope.Nectanebusemployedforthepurposeatablet
madeofgoldandsilverandacaciawood,towhichwerefittedthree
belts.Uponthe
p.229
outerbeltwasZeuswiththethirtysixdecanisurroundinghimupon
thesecondthetwelvesignsoftheZodiacwererepresentedandupon
thethirdthesunandmoon.1Hesetthetabletuponatripod,andthen
emptiedoutofasmallboxuponitmodelsofthesevenstars2thatwere
inthebelts,andputintothemiddlebelteightpreciousstonesthesehe
arrangedintheplaceswhereinhesupposedtheplanetswhichthey
representedwouldbeatthetimeofthebirthofOlympias,andthen
toldherfortunefromthem.Buttheuseofthehoroscopeismucholder
thanthetimeofAlexandertheGreat,fortoaGreekhoroscope3inthe
BritishMuseumisattached"anintroductoryletterfromsomemaster
oftheartofastrologytohispupil,namedHermon,urginghimtobe
veryexactandcarefulinhisapplicationofthelawswhichheancient
Egyptians,withtheirlaboriousdevotiontotheart,haddiscoveredand
handeddowntoposterity."Thuswehavegoodreasonforassigning
thebirthplaceofthehoroscopetoEgypt.Inconnexionwiththe
horoscopemustbementionedthe"sphere"or"table"ofDemocritusas
ameansofmakingpredictionsastolifeanddeath.Inamagical
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papyrus1wearetoldto"ascertaininwhatmonththesickmantookto
hisbed,andthenamehereceivedathisbirth.Calculatethe[courseof]
themoon,andseehowmanyperiodsofthirtydayshaveelapsedthen
noteinthetablethenumberofdaysleftover,andifthenumbercomes
intheupperpartofthetable,hewilllive,butifinthelowerpart,he
willdie."
BothfromthereligiousandprofaneliteratureofEgyptwelearnthat
thegodsandmaninthefuturelifewereableatwilltoassumetheform
ofanyanimal,orbird,orplant,orlivingthing,whichtheypleased,
andoneofthegreatestdelightstowhichamanlookedforwardwasthe
possessionofthatpower.Thisisprovedbythefactthatnolessthan
twelve2ofthechaptersoftheBookoftheDeadaredevotedto
p.231
providingthedeceasedwiththewordsofpower,therecitalofwhich
wasnecessarytoenablehimtotransformhimselfintoa"hawkof
gold,"a"divinehawk,""thegovernorofthesovereignprinces,""the
godwhogivethlightinthedarkness,"alotus,thegodPtah,abennu
bird(i.e.,phnix),aheron,a"livingsoul,"aswallow,theserpent
Sata,andacrocodileandanotherchapter1enabledhimtotransform
himselfinto"whateverformhepleaseth."Armedwiththispowerhe
couldliveinthewaterintheformofacrocodile,intheformofa
serpenthecouldglideovertherocksandground,intheformofthe
birdsmentionedabovehecouldflythroughtheair,andsoarupand
perchhimselfuponthebowoftheboatofR,intheformofthelotus
hehadmasteryovertheplantsofthefield,andintheformofPtahhe
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became"morepowerfulthanthelordoftime,andshallgainthe
masteryovermillionsofyears."Thebennubird,itwillbe
remembered,wassaidtobethe"soulofR,"andbyassumingthis
formthedeceasedidentifiedhimselfwithKhepera,thegreatgodof
creation,andthusacquiredtheattributesofthesouloftheSungod.In
theElysianFieldshewasabletoassumeanyformandtoswimandfly
toanydistanceinanydirection.Itisnoteworthythatnobeastofthe
fieldorwildanimalismentionedasatypeofhispossible
transformationsintoanimals.
p.232
NowtheEgyptiansbelievedthatasthesoulsofthedepartedcould
assumetheformofanylivingthingorplant,sothe"gods,"whoin
manyrespectscloselyresembledthem,couldanddidtakeupon
themselvestheformsofbirdsandbeaststhiswasthefundamental
ideaofthesocalled"Egyptiananimalworship,"whichprovokedthe
merrimentoftheculturedGreek,anddrewdownupontheEgyptians
theridiculeandabuseoftheearlyChristianwriters.Butifthematter
beexaminedcloselyitsapparentstupiditydisappears.TheEgyptians
paidhonourtocertainbirds,andanimals,andreptiles,becausethey
consideredthattheypossessedcertainofthecharacteristicsofthegods
towhomtheymadethemsacred.Thebullwasatypeofthestrength
andprocreativepowerofthegodofreproductioninnature,andthe
cowwasthetypeofhisfemalecounterparteverysacredanimaland
livingthingpossessedsomequalityorattributewhichwasascribedto
somegod,andaseachgodwasonlyaformofR,thequalityor
attributeascribedtohimwasthatoftheSungodhimself.The
educatedEgyptianneverworshippedananimalasananimal,butonly
asanincarnationofagod,andthereverencepaidtoanimalsinEgypt
wasinnowaydifferentfromthatpaidtotheking,whowasregarded
as"divine"andasanincarnationofRtheSungod,whowasthe
visiblesymboloftheCreator.TherelationofthekingtoRwas
identicalwiththatofRtoGod.The
p.233
Hebrews,Greeks,andRomansneverunderstoodthelogical
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conceptionwhichunderlaythereverencewithwhichtheEgyptians
regardedcertainanimals,andasaresulttheygrosslymisrepresented
theirreligion.Theignorantpeople,nodoubt,oftenmistookthesymbol
forwhatitsymbolized,butitiswrongtosaythattheEgyptians
worshippedanimalsintheordinarysenseoftheword,andthisfact
cannotbetoostronglyinsistedon.Holdingtheviewshedidabout
transformationstherewasnothingabsurdinthereverencewhichthe
Egyptianpaidtoanimals.Whenasacredanimaldiedthegodwhomit
representedsoughtoutanotheranimalofthesamespeciesinwhichto
renewhisincarnation,andthedeadbodyoftheanimal,inasmuchasit
hadoncebeenthedwellingplaceofagod,wasmummifiedandtreated
inmuchthesamewayasahumanbodyafterdeath,inorderthatit
mightenjoyimmortality.Theseviewsseemstrange,nodoubt,tous
whenjudgedbymodernideas,buttheyformedanintegralpartofthe
religiousbeliefsoftheEgyptians,fromtheearliesttothelatesttimes.
Whatisremarkable,however,isthefactthat,inspiteofinvasions,and
foreignwars,andinternaldissensions,andexternalinfluencesofall
kinds,theEgyptiansclungtotheirgodsandthesometimeschildish
andillogicalmethodswhichtheyadoptedinservingthemwitha
conservatismandzealwhichhaveearnedforthemthereputationof
beingatoncethemostreligiousandmostsuperstitiousnationof
p.234
antiquity.Whateverliterarytreasuresmaybebroughttolightinthe
futureastheresultofexcavationsinEgypt,itismostimprobablethat
weshalleverreceivefromthatcountryanyancientEgyptianwork
whichcanproperlybeclassedamongtheliteratureofatheismor
freethoughttheEgyptianmightbemoreorlessreligiousaccordingto
hisnatureandtemperament,but,judging,fromthewritingsofhis
priestsandteacherswhicharenowinourhands,themanwhowas
withoutreligionandGodinsomeformorotherwasmostrare,ifnot
unknown.
Footnotes
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206:1Asrecentlyas1895thisbeliefexistedinIreland,foraccording
totheTimesofApril2,3,6,and8,MichaelClearywaschargedon
April1atClonmelwithhaving,onMarch14,burnthiswifeBridget,
aged27,forbeingawitch,thuscausingherdeath,atBaltyvadhen,p.207
countyTipperary.JohannaBurkesworethatboilingherbsoutofa
saucepanonthefirewereforceddownthethroatofthedeceased,her
husbandaskingherinthenameoftheFather,Son,andHolyGhost,if
shewashiswife.Hethenstrippedhernaked,threwheronthefloor,
andpouringparaffinoverher,setheronfire.Cleary,assistedbyJ.
Dunne,P.Kennedy,W.Kennedy,andothers,nexttookhertothefire
andforcedhertosituponitinorderto"driveoutthewitch"which
possessedher.Shewasnextlaiduponthebedandshaken,whileher
husbandrecitedthewords"Awaywithyou,"meaningtheevilspirit,or
spirits,andatsixo'clockonthemorningofthe15thofMarchthe
priestwassentfortoexorcisethespiritswithwhichthehousewas
thoughttobefilled.AherbalistcalledDenisGaneywaspresentatthe
time,beingchargedasanaccessorybeforethefact.Theprisonerswere
foundguiltyandweresentencedtotermsofimprisonmentasfollows:
M.Cleary20years,J.Dunne3years,P.Kennedy5years,W.
Kennedy18months,J.Kennedy18months,BolandKennedy6
months,MichaelKennedy6months.
207:1OriginallypublishedbyPrisse,Monumentsgyptiens,Paris,
1817,pl.24.
207:2ItisnowpreservedintheBibliotqueNationaleatParisfora
fulldescriptionandtranslationofitseeE.deRoug,tudesurune
stelegyptienne,Paris,1858.
208:1Bekhkhet,"knowerofthings."
214:1SeeGenesis,Chaptersxi.,xii.
215:1SeeVyse,Appendix,London,1842,vol.iii.,p.114ff.
215:2SeeBrugsch,EgyptunderthePharaohs,Vol.ii.,p.259.
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216:1SeeCatalogueofGreekPapyri,vol.i.p.118.
216:2AsketchofthegodBesaisgivenattheendofthepapyrus.See
thedescriptionofthe"Metternichstele"above,p.147ff.
219:1ForthetextseeLeemans,Monumentsgyptiens,PartieIL,pll.
183,184,Leyden,1846,fol.foratranscriptintohieroglyphicssee
Maspero,JournalAsiatique,Sr.7,tom.15,MayandJune,1880,pp.
365420.
219:2SeeGolnischeffinRecueildeTravaux,tom.iii.,pp.37.
220:1WhenIvisitedthePyramidsofMeroin18981tookwithme
thelocalshkh,andamanandaboytolookafterthedonkeys.Having
cometowithinhalfamileofthepyramidsthethreestoppedand
wishedmetorideonbymyself,andwhenIaskedthemwhytheydid
notwanttocomeupthehilltothepyramidswithmetheshkhreplied
thattheyhadbeenbuiltbykingswhosespiritsstilldweltthere,and
thatitwouldnotbeseemlyforhimandhiscompanionsto"trouble"
them.Ipressedhimtocome,butheanswered"Itisnotthecustomof
ourcountrytogothere,"soIwalkedonbymyself.WhenIhadbeenin
thepyramidfieldforabouttwohourstakingphotographsand
measurements,theshkharrivedwiththeboy,butnothingwould
persuadehimtowalkaboutthere,andhavingseatedhimselfberecited
prayersfromtheKoraninanundertone,andatintervalsurgedmeto
returntohisstrawhouseontheriverbankassoonaspossible.Hewas
firmlyconvincedthattheprismaticcompasswhichIusedwasa
talisman,andwhenhereachedhomehethankedGodferventlythathe
hadnotbeenmolestedbythespiritsofthedead.
221:1SeetheillustratedpaperTheSketch,No.332,June7,1899,p.
277.ThefollowingfromtheTimesofJuly7,1899,isworthquoting:
"THEGRAVEOFABRITISHNAVALOFFICERINJAPAN.
RecentlyareportcametotheearsoftheBritishConsulatHiogothat
thegraveofaBritishnavalofficerexistednearavillageontheisland
ofHiroshima,intheInlandSeaofJapanaplacerarelyvisitedbyany
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foreignerandthat,forsomereason,itwascarefullykeptinorderby
thepeasantsintheneighbourhood.TheConsulaccordingly
communicatedwiththeGovernoroftheprefectureinwhichtheisland
issituatedinquiriesweremade,andtheGovernorwasabletosendto
theConsulahistoryofthelonelygrave.Thestorywasappendedby
theGovernortoaformaldespatchofhisown,andwasobviously
drawnupbythevillageheadmanorsomeequallyhumbleofficial,and
itisworthgivinginfull.TheSylvia,thevesselmentioned,wasfor
manyyearsengagedinsurveyingoffthecoastsofJapan:'Inthefirst
yearofMeiji,correspondingtoA.D.1868,H.B.M.S.Sylviawas
proceedingonavoyagethroughtheInlandSeawhenanofficeron
board,namedLake,fellill.HewaslandedontheislandofHiroshima,
atthevillageofHiroshima,inthedistrictofNaka,provinceofSanuki,
andprefectureofKagawa.TheSylviaproceededalongthecoastof
HiroshimaandcastanchoratEnouraBay,toawaittheofficer's
recovery.Inafewdays,however,hedied,andCaptainSt.Johnburied
hisremainsingroundbelongingtothetempleofIkwojiaboveEnoura
shrine,and,havingsetupawoodencrosstomarkthegrave,departed.
Severalyearsafterwards,whenthismonumenthadalmostdecayed
fromtheeffectsofwindandrain,frostandsnow,AwaburiTokwan,
SuperiorofIkwojiTemple,andotherssaid:"Trulyitwouldbetoo
sadifthegraveofoursolitaryguestfromafar,whohasbecomeaspirit
inastrangeland,weresufferedtopassoutofallknowledge."
ThereuponTerawakiKaemon,headofavillageguild,andother
sympathisers,suchasOkaRyohaku,setonfootaschemeforthe
erectionofastonemonument,and,theshorefolkallwithoneaccordp.
222lendingtheirhelp,theworkwasfinallybroughttocompletion.This
wasonthe7thdayoftheeleventhmonthofthefourthyearofMeiji
thatis,1871.Sincethennearly30wintershavepassed,duringwhich
timetheislandershavenotneglectedtotakegoodcareofthetomb.In
particular,fromthe10thtothe16thdayoftheseventhmonth,old
style,therearestillpersonsfoundwhoeveryyearcleanandsweepthe
grave,and,offeringupflowersandincense,mournforandconsolethe
spiritofthedead.'"
223:1SeeErman,WestcarPapyrus,Berlin,1890,hieroglyphic
171/172
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transcript,pll.9and10.
EgyptianMagicIndex
223:2SeeMaspero,Contesgyptiens,pp.2946.
224:1TheuneducatedMuhammadanbelievesthatman'sfateiswritten
uponhisskull,andthatthesuturesarethewriting.Noman,however,
canreadthem.SeethewordsofZaynalMawasifinBurton'sAlf
LaylahwaLaylah,vol.viii.,p.237.
224:2SeePseudoCallisthenes,I.12.
225:1SeeBrit.Mus.Papyrus,No.10,474.
226:1SeeChabas,LeCalendrier,p.24.
228:1SeeChabas,op.cit.,p.104.
228:2TheEyeofSekhetseemstohavetakentheformofnoxious
vapoursinthefieldsatsunriseseeChabas,op.cit.,p.78.
228:3I.4.
229:1quotefrommyHistoryofAlexandertheGreat,Cambridge,
1889,p.5.
229:2I.e.,Sun,Moon,Zeus,Kronos,Aphrodite,andHermeswemust
addMarsaccordingtoMeusel'sGreektext.
229:3PublishedforthefirsttimebyKenyon,CatalogueofGreek
Papyrivol.i.p.132ff.
230:1LeydenPap.V.(ed.Leemans),col.xi.,1.1ff.
230:2I.e.,ChaptersLXXVII.toLXXXVIII.
231:1I.e.,ChapterLXXVI.
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