The Book of the dead

1. The Book of the dead emhru properly meaning "coming forth by day"

2. The great Egyptian funerary work called emhru properly meaning "coming forth by day" or "manifested in the light." The work consists of collections of spells which was believed to aid the dead in the crossing to the next life. There are several versions or renditions of the work, namely the Helipolis, Thebes, and Salis. Each version is mainly the same except for the differences found in the translations made by the colleges of priests at the various centers.

3. Its theme is thaumaturgic (Magical, wonderful) as its purpose is to protect the dead from dangers which they face when attempting to reach the other world. The spells were usually found on papyrus or leather in intimate association with the corpse - - beside of it in the coffin, actually inside the mummy wrappings, or inserted inside of a small statue of a funerary deity.

4. It is believed that many of the spells were recited by priests at the funeral and also that their presence within the reach of the deceased made them available to him when he needed them. Many papyri of sections from the Book of the Dead as well as sections themselves have been discovered inscribed on tombs, pyramids, and sarcophagi.

5. The earliest examples of the Book of the Dead are from the 18th dynasty (1570-1304 BC). However some sections of these examples have been found in earlier known Egyptian funerary texts. These were the so-called Pyramid Tests inscribed on inner chamber walls of 5th, 6th, and 8th dynasty rulers. These Pyramid Texts insured the survival only of the pharaoh whose name they contained and his subjects over whom he would rule in the Hereafter. Royal relatives and courtiers who were granted favor to be buried in tombs surrounding the pyramid were perhaps fortunate enough to reach the realms of the blessed through the agency of the ruler.

6. Most of the texts of the Book of the Dead are arranged in vertical columns and often are written in simplified linear hieroglyphs or in old-fashioned hieratic script. A few late examples exist where the lines are horizontal and in contemporary script.

7. Sometimes plain black ink was used, but frequently the titles of spells and important words were written in red. Illustrations could range from few to many, they varied from plain black-line drawings to beautiful drawings in lavish color.

8. So it can be seen that according to the general outline of the Book of the Dead that it was thought that even in the afterlife the person still might scheme and coerce if he possessed the right knowledge. Such knowledge laid in the spells and hymns of the book which a few was along with him least he would not forget them.

9. First he needed the knowledge to fight off the dangers which he probably would face along his journey to the realm of the blessed. As in most Egyptian mythology the dead would combat malignant spirits and other dangers.

10. Also, he needed the knowledge to influence or coerce the deities judging him at his trial in the Hall of Two Truths. The work abounds with magical references. This is why many are of the opinion that the material in the work gives the conception that stipulation is mingled with the idea of circumvention by sorcery in the most extraordinary manner.