The Death of Gods in Ancient Egypt

by Jane B. Sellers

This groundbreaking book details a concerted search for the origins of the basic beliefs of the ancient Egyptian religion. Originally published by Penguin Books, the author has thoroughly examined the ancient texts and the magnificent artwork of these enigmatic people and has come to some starling conclusions. She has also spent many nights, over many years, sleeping in the desert, observing the clear skies over Egypt. This revised third edition has computer printouts, which the Penguin edition lacked, and is now available in this 6 x 9 format, rather than the larger, "cocktail table" size of the second edition.

Genres: Mythology, Egyptology

387 pages

First published January 5, 1993

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent read! And I would agree with some of the other reviewers who commented that this is not by any means a light read. I literally had a dictionary by my side, along with a star-map, a compendium of Egyptian mythology and my phones' Wikipedia app on hand through the entire process of reading. I also credit this book in large part for my new-found love of the stars this past years. Trying to understand the movements and patterns that she describes, particularly in the first half of the book, have pushed me to a greater understanding of how I and the ancients both relate to the heavens. In this same vein I have now moved on and picked up some of her source reading, most notably Norman Lockyears "Dawn of Astronomy" which I just finished and Santanella's "Hamlet's Mill" which I am just beginning.

I think that Sellers was hoping to influence a new generation of archeo-astronomers with her studies, and while I don't know if she succeeded or not in that respect, I think she falls short of her goal. She spends so much of the book wrangling together what felt to me to be scant evidence for claims that stood on stronger footing before she began the chapter, particularly the sections demonstrating her belief in the survival of the Egyptian people's knowledge of the Great year in the mystery traditions of the past and the like. These may be perfectly valid deductions, or observations, I can't honestly say, but I thought she inserted them hastily and poorly and that the work would have been stronger without them.

But the primary evidence she explores, Egypt's relationship to Eclipses is passionately and for the most part soberly developed. I am not convinced, in the sense that she did not convert me to a believer, but I think there stands some compelling evidence for her claims, and I am doing my footwork to follow-up on her studies to see where this rabbit hole leads.

A fascinating study indeed. Thank you Jane Sellers!

[David Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, no, maybe . . . lots of interesting, detailed content. Some 'borrowed' by Fingerpainting of the Gods despite the author's objections. Sky phenomenon were tightly connected to ritual, but the relative importance of eclipses - given their frequency - is questionable. Actually went back to dig up some details on a few particular sections which don't hinge on eclipse astronomy. Overall, not light reading, but very intriguing.

[Julia Herdman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great idea but it is so wrong.

[Дамир Газетић · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great effort, definitely shedding some new light on ancient history and mythology...

[Laura Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was fascinating and well-researched, though I think the author really stretched to force some of the information to line up with her theory. Still, it was an interesting read and there's really no way to prove or disprove her ideas at this point. My only real gripe is that the book was very poorly edited. The constant typos really hindered any fluid reading of the book.