Study Guide and Discussion Questions

Religion of the Pharaohs

1/4/02

Introduction to the Religion and Literature of Ancient Egypt

 Return to Religion of the Pharaohs Course Schedule & Syllabus



A word to the wise:  TAKE NOTES or USE POST-ITS or some other method of marking your readings for easy reference, so that when you come to class, you can participate fully in the discussion

On the Metropolitan Museum site:

In the "religious beliefs" section, note the appearances of the following major gods and goddesses:


What features distinguish them from one another?  How can you recognize them?  Why do some have animal features?
Read the rest of this section, but don't stress over the details.

In the "people" section, how does this site confirm or dispute what you read in class about the social life of ancient Egypt.  Pick a piece of art that makes the readings seem more "real" to you and be able to explain why it does that in class.
 
 

On the Rosetta Stone site:

Read around, but be sure to check out "reading the Egyptian language,"  "reading in ancient Egypt," and "the practice of writing."
Egyptians used a couple of different scripts for their languages.  Be sure you know the difference between ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and hieratic.

How was literacy in ancient Egypt different from literacy in the modern world?  Were most people literate?  Who was and who wasn't?

What role did writing have in the Egyptian culture?

Again, how does site this relate to what you've already read about the social world of ancient Egypt?
 
 

For the articles from Shafer, Religion in Ancient Egypt:

First, DON'T PANIC.  There is a lot of detail in these texts.  When you feel frustrated, just take a deep breath and KEEP GOING.  We'll be discussing most of the issues in these articles in greater detail over the course of the term.

Please come to class prepared to mention a concept, term, issue, deity, etc., you wish the class to discuss further.

Make notes about the most important roles of the gods and goddesses listed above--the ones you examined on the Met's website.

What makes the study of Egyptian religion particularly difficult?  or different from other religions you may have studied?

What was the role of the pharaoh (king) in the religious beliefs and practices?

Pay attention to the following major myths, cosmologies, and cosmogonies.  You don't have to memorize them, or even understand them completely, just be aware of their essential elements and where in your readings they are discussed.