Behind Closed Eyes: Dreams and Nightmares in Ancient Egypt

Rating:
Summary: Egyptian Windows
Review: This is a cool book. It's so hard to find good, readable books on ancient Egyptian culture. So much of what you find is either too stuffy and academic (yawn), or else it is awkward speculation by people with ulterior motives (spiritual or political). It's really nice to have a scholar in the field write a book for everyone who is interested in ancient cultures - and in my case, dreams!

Szpakowska argues that the Egyptian conception of dreams was more metaphysical than psychological in nature. She claims that the Egyptians viewed dreams and nightmares as a kind of "window" to encounter people in the afterlife. In addition to the textual support, she discusses artifacts which were apparently used to protect the sleeper from dangerous intrusions (we are so vulnerable when we sleep, no?).

The view of dreams is based solely on Egyptian texts and artifacts - not on Greek or Roman claims about the Egyptians. We get to read through the actual texts, not only from pharaohs or clergy, but often reports from ordinary folk. Also of interest is the account of th Ramessian Dream Book, which provides interpretations of the significance of one's dreams - for example, "If one sees himself in a dream drinking beer, it means a surging of his emotions." I found it especially interesting that the Egyptians had dreams about having "broken teeth" (score one point for the Jungian collective consciousness?

Highly recommend! This book is a must for anyone curious about the anthropology of dreams and nightmares, or for those interested in ancient Egyptian culture.

Greg Jarrett
Dept. of Philosophy
Loyola Marymount University