The Gods of Ancient Egypt

Rating:
Summary: review of The Gods of Ancient Egypt, by Lane Banks
Review: A scholarly text combined with lots of full color photographs make this book challenging and enlightening.

The myriad pantheon of the gods and godesses of ancient Egypt are discussed and analyzed. This is not just a simple glossary of names, pictures and attributes, although a short glossary is included in the back. The origins of the deities are revealed, as well as the animals with which they are associated, and how the various animal attributes transferred divine power to the gods.

Most of the objects, from temple and tomb excavations, are small, and are divided into everyday and ritual usages. Some monumental sculpture, such as from the great temples at Karnak, are included.

The photographs range in quality from excellent to fair; some of the full spread images are grainy when enlarged, while the brightly colored backgrounds against which the objects are presented are distracting at times.

Buy this book for the well-researched text; there are other books with better photographs.

Rating:
Summary: review of The Gods of Ancient Egypt, by Lane Banks
Review: A scholarly text combined with lots of full color photographs make this book challenging and enlightening.

The myriad pantheon of the gods and godesses of ancient Egypt are discussed and analyzed. This is not just a simple glossary of names, pictures and attributes, although a short glossary is included in the back. The origins of the deities are revealed, as well as the animals with which they are associated, and how the various animal attributes transferred divine power to the gods.

Most of the objects, from temple and tomb excavations, are small, and are divided into everyday and ritual usages. Some monumental sculpture, such as from the great temples at Karnak, are included.

The photographs range in quality from excellent to fair; some of the full spread images are grainy when enlarged, while the brightly colored backgrounds against which the objects are presented are distracting at times.

Buy this book for the well-researched text; there are other books with better photographs.