Life in Ancient Egypt

by Lionel Casson

". . . gracefully written" - The New York Times

Award-winning historian Lionel Casson paints a vivid portrait of the people of ancient Egypt - from peasants and pharaohs to soldiers and scribes and artists and priests - and what life was like beyond the splendors and treasures that remain with us today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Egyptology

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2015

About the author

Lionel Casson was a classicist, professor emeritus at New York University, and a specialist in maritime history. He earned his B.A. in 1934 at New York University, and in 1936 became an assistant professor. He later earned his Ph.D. there during 1939. In 2005 he was awarded the Archaeological Institute of America Gold Medal.

Reviews

[Chris Steeden · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am currently reading the BBC History Collector’s edition of ‘The Story of the Ancient World’ and thought this would be a good accompaniment. I am afraid I was wrong. It is so dry and unengaging. I read 10 pages and have not taken anything in. My notebook is blank.

Lionel Casson is writing about the New Kingdom. Dates vary but let’s say it is between 1550 and 1050 BC roughly. If I laid out all the different topics in the book then it really does sound an interesting read. It is not even because it is an academic piece because its not. It’s just not written in a way that pulls you in and gives you that WOW factor.

It is a very short book but I limped my way through it. For a subject that should be really interesting it was a shame.

[Margie Dorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was surprised how much I enjoyed reading this book. It was well-written, well-researched, and worthwhile. It made me want to visit Egypt again. What was especially interesting was the explanations and illustrations of common lives along with the lives of the rulers and the upper class. The stories he chose to quote were fascinating, and in the case of Herodotus, he cited with just the proper amount of skepticism. Flowing through everything, of course, is the Nile, which was their own "cultural assumption" that would one day be swallowed up into a larger story as their own world was flooded by the Greek and Roman cultures that took them over. Casson's story begins with the Old Kingdom, focuses on the New Kingdom, stops at about the sixth century C.E. with the Muslim conquests.

[Deepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights into the lives, and culture of the common Egyptian. A glimpse of what lay beyond the exalted life's of the Royalty.

[Lynn Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. More of a history book but I enjoyed reading the information.
I have loved Egyptian history since I was in Elementary school and read about the Pyramids in my Weekly reader.
I was fortunate to travel and tour that area Cairo, Luxor , Valley of the Kings etc. back in the early 80’s.
I have read and studied as much as I could since then but this book has been the most interesting and informative source of information.

[Pawel Kuszynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It surprised me how sophisticated life of ancient Egyptians was.

The book is well organized. Every part provides relevant information about specific topic.
Maybe more references to archeological evidence would be helpful.
Anyway, I'm glad I've found this book.

[Patsy B. Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

New appreciation for ancient Egyptian society

Everyday life and outlook on life and death very interesting - really have a new understanding and much deeper appreciation of Egyptian society and culture.

[Adam Meek · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief overview of Egypt's New Kingdom, focused primarily on daily life.

"The Egyptians were a worldly, materialistic people who, along with the somber monuments to their dead and their gods, bequeathed to posterity the art of adding refinement to daily living."

[Jo Toon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and informative.

[Jim Swike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot. Well-researched and well-written. A great resource for research and / or term paper. Enjoy!

[Hesam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Very well written with astonishing details of the ancient Egypt’s daily life. It brings ancient Egypt into life in your imagination.

[Kmystraveler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an Egyptian version of SPQR by Beard. It is a far easier and condensed version of Egyptian history. The last two millennia were a quick synopsis, filling a few pages. What it is: It is an easy to understand history of ancient Egypt. It is a good book to read before a trip to the pyramids. It explains the ancient religious practices well and the importance of the scribes. Why pyramids? Why mummification? Ancient Egypt's reliance on the written word is the reason for its success and also why we know as much as we do about their history. Good read for a trip or general knowledge.

[Ally Van den herik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of life in ancient Egypt

I enjoyed this "quick read" overview of life in ancient Egypt. The book covers everything from the structure of government to the daily lives of the various social strata, and from the religious beliefs and practices to the treatment of women. I especially enjoyed the insight it gave into the beliefs of the Egyptians in the afterlife.

[B. Rule · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some interesting facts but it lacks any citations to sources and feels both untrustworthy and outdated. Maybe suitable for a secondary school level introduction to the topic but generally it left me unsatisfied.