Egyptian Hell: Visions, Tours and Descriptions of the Infernal Otherworld

by Eileen Gardiner

The concept of the afterlife is important in the cultural and religious tradition of Ancient Egypt. Many of the artifacts, and most of the texts, that survive are associated with the rites surrounding the burial of the dead not only the enormous tombs and pyramids built to contain the remains of important leaders, but also small grave goods for the comfort of the dead on the otherworld journey. These artifacts reveal the Egyptian notion of a place of annihilation and destruction where the dead, after judgment, might be condemned. Six Egyptian texts include descriptions of this hell, which have been collected here The Book of the Two Ways [Book of the Ways of Rosetau], The Book of the Nether World [Book of Amduat], The Book of Gates, The Book of the Dead [Book of Going Forth by Day], The Book of the Eart, and The Book of Caverns. This work is published in conjunction with Hell-on-Line.org, a website that presents a comprehensive collection of materials on the more than 100 visions, tours and descriptions of the infernal otherworld from the cultures of the world from 2000 BCE to the present. Includes notes, glossary, web resources.

38 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 2006

About the author

Eileen Gardiner, PhD