Hunting & Eating Divinity: Pyramid Texts, the "Cannibal Hymn,” and Divine Kingship
Kara and Amber take a deep dive into the so-called “Cannibal Hymn” (Utterances 273–274) of the Pyramid Texts, which date to the late Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period (ca. 2375–2055 BCE) and are the oldest funerary texts from ancient Egypt. They do some reading, some interpreting, and talk about the great power the ancient Egyptians believed these texts held, and how they're a part of the restricted knowledge and magical power that the Egyptians kept for their god–kings.SourcesEyre, Christopher. 2002. The Cannibal Hymn: a cultural and literary study. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.Faulkner, R. O. 1969. The ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts: translated into English, 2 vols. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Goebs, Katja. 2004. “The Cannibal Spell: continuity and change in the Pyramid Text and Coffin Text versions.” In: Bickel, Susanne and Bernard Mathieu (eds), D'un monde à l'autre: Textes des Pyramides & Textes des Sarcophages. Actes de la table ronde internationale, "Textes des Pyramides versus Textes des Sarcophages", IFAO - 24-26 Septembre 2001, 143-173. Le Caire: Institut français d'archéologie orientale.Hornung, Erik. 1992. Idea into image: essays on ancient Egyptian thought. Translated by Elizabeth Bredeck. New York: Timken.Sethe, Kurt. 1908-1922. Die altaegyptischen Pyramidentexte: nach den Papierabdrücken und Photographien des Berliner Museums, 4 vols. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs. Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
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1:52:57
October 2024 Supporter Q&A
In month’s Q&A we have questions concerning kingship & the gods, turtles (!!), and the Book of the Dead. Kara also answers some frequently asked questions about her new online course on ancient Egyptian cosmogony and cosmology.Ancient Egyptian Cosmogony and Cosmology: Secrets of the Primordial WatersAn eight-part lecture series by Dr. Kara CooneySHOW NOTESKingship & Religion* Overview of the King’s role in state religion* Dunand, Françoise and Christiane Zivie-Coche. 2004. Gods and men in Egypt: 3000 BCE to 395 CE. Translated by David Lorton. Ithaca, NY; London: Cornell University Press.* Baines, Lesko, and Silverman. 1991. Religion in Ancient Egypt. Gods, Myth, and Personal Practice. Cornell University Press. * Maat vs. Isfet* Third Intermediate Period & the High Priests of Amun * Herihor* Piankhy* Royal Ka- Bell, Lanny 1985. Luxor temple and the cult of the royal Ka. Journal of Near Eastern Studies 44 (4), 251-294.* Abydos King List Book of the Dead and Ideological Textual Knowledge* Gloss* Book of the Dead, Chapter 17 Turtles vs. Tortoise in Ancient Egypt * Fischer 1968. Ancient Egyptian Representations of Turtles. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Papers 13. New York* El-Kady. 2011. The Religious Concept of the Dual Character of the Turtle in Graeco-roman Egypt* Ritner, Robert K. 2000. The "Breathing-permit of Hôr": thirty-four years later. Dialogue: a journal of Mormon thought 33 (4), 97-119Retainer Sacrifice* Review our episode with Dr. Rose Campbell- Part I & II* Animal Sacrifice/Butcher sceneRecycling for Death: Coffin Reuse in Ancient Egypt and the Theban Royal CachesIf you are a paid subscriber on Substack or Patreon and would like a signed bookplate, you can reply to this post or email us at [email protected]. Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
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1:09:39
Recycling for Death: How to publish a big academic book without it killing you
Kara’s latest book, Recycling for Death: Coffin Reuse in Ancient Egypt and the Theban Royal Caches, is now available! In this episode UCLA PhD candidate Kylie Thomsen joins the Afterlives crew to talk about the years of research and preparation behind the publication of this meticulous study of the social, economic, and religious significance of coffin reuse and development during the Ramesside and early Third Intermediate periods.Get your copy of Recycling for Death Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
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1:25:11
Egyptian Hieroglyphs with Dr. Melinda Nelson-Hurst
In this episode Kara and Jordan talk to Egyptologist Melinda Nelson-Hurst about her online Egyptology platform, Voices of Ancient Egypt, which teaches you how to read the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that you’ll see in museums, online, and on your next trip to Egypt – in less time and without the overwhelm.About our Guest:Melinda Nelson-Hurst is an Egyptologist (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania), specializing in the social history and archaeology of ancient Egypt, especially during the Middle Kingdom. In particular, Dr. Nelson-Hurst's research has focused on families and their influence within the state administration, office acquisition, inheritance, and family members' obligations to deceased relatives, as well as on Third Intermediate Period burial assemblages and the history of modern collections.Since 2018, Melinda has run the online Egyptology platform, Voices of Ancient Egypt. Through online courses and YouTube videos with over a million views, Voices of Ancient Egypt brings the study of ancient Egypt out from behind the classroom and library walls, so you can experience it in the real world. Voices of Ancient Egypt’s programs specialize in teaching you to read the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that you’ll see in museums, on Instagram, and on your next trip to Egypt – in less time and without the overwhelm.Youtube- Voices of Ancient Egypt IG- Voices of Ancient EgyptVoices of Ancient EgyptYouTube Video on how to write your name in hieroglyphsResources for the EpisodeScripts:Hieratic and DemoticHieroglyphsStages:Old EgyptianMiddle EgyptianLate Egyptian Example 1Example 2Example 3Example 4View the Rest of the Examples Mentioned in the EpisodeSIGN UP FOR SCRIBAL SCHOOL!Want to learn more? Get all the details about Scribal School and how Melinda's students learn to read hieroglyphs by signing up for Melinda's free class:"3 Steps to Fast-Track Your Journey from Student to Scribe" Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe
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1:17:25
BONUS Ancient Egyptian Creation: Exploring Secrets of the Primordial Waters
Many of you asked for it, and it’s finally here—an new online course from Kara is now available. Kara and Amber take a behind-the-scenes look at how her new course on ancient Egyptian cosmogony and cosmology came together and what is covered in this eight-part lecture series. Get full access to Ancient/Now at ancientnow.substack.com/subscribe