Handbook of Egyptian Mythology

This is an excellent introduction to the mythology of Ancient Egypt. More than just an encyclopedia of gods and goddesses, this book takes a thematic approach and presents the major stories using major concepts (such as creation, death, morality, etc.). I found it very easy to get through and now feel ready to delve deeper into this subject (using the excellent resources listed in the book)!

This is a good reference work for studies in Ancient Egyptian mythology. Note, you won't find the literature represented here per se but rather you will be introduced to Ancient Egypt in general and their thought, cosmology & religion in particular. In begins with a short introduction to myth and Ancient Egyptian history. Then it proceeds to introduce the reader to how Ancient Egyptians conceived of their world both in terms of linear time and in terms of cyclical time. By far the largest portion of the book is an wonderful A to Z reference guide to the deities, themes, and concepts of Ancient Egyptian mythology. For the size, this little book is pretty comprehensive and will definitely be a useful resource for future Near Eastern show more studies. show less