The Egyptian Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead is a unique collection of funerary texts from a wide variety of sources, dating from the fifteenth to the fourth century BC. Consisting of spells, prayers and incantations, each section contains the words of power to overcome obstacles in the afterlife. The papyruses were often left in sarcophagi for the dead to use as passports on their journey from burial, and were full of advice about the ferrymen, gods and kings they would meet on the way. Offering valuable insights into ancient Egypt, The Book of the Dead has long inspired fascination with the occult and the afterlife.

John Romer's introduction examines the historical outline of the work, as well as the literary influence of the text on modern culture. This edition of E. A. Wallis Budge's translation includes a full text with accompanying illustrations, ans also contains suggested further reading.

Translated by E. A. Wallis Budge
With a new introduction by John Romer.

About the Author

E.A. Wallis Budge was the Curator of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities at the British Museum from 1894 to 1924. Best known for his numerous translator works, Budge collected a large number of Coptic, Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Ethiopian, and Egyptian Papyri manuscripts. He was also involved in numerous archaeology digs in Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Sudan. Budge is perhaps best known for translating The Egyptian Book of The Dead (also known as The Papyrus of Ani), as well as analyzing many of the practices of Egyptian religion, language and ritual. Budge was knighted in 1920. He died November 23, 1934 in London, England.