Mummy's Wrap

Piety in the Mortuary Context

Death was not viewed as a final end, but as a crossing over. Deceased individuals not of noble birth were able to live in the “beautiful West” while the pharaoh was allowed to dwell with the gods (Assmann, 1996; 157). While the rituals surrounding death were more for the benefit of the deceased and the mourners, the death cults were a necessary aspect of the ancient Egyptian religion. In addition to the official cults of dead pharaohs, there was an element of ancestor worship (Stevens, 2009; 10).

Early mortuary practices were held at the tomb, either in front of a sculpture of a false door or before a statue of the deceased. Offerings to sustain the individual in the afterlife were placed for the use of the deceased. The offerings, much like the offerings given to a deity, consisted of food, drink, and incense (Ikram, 2003; 187). A tomb chapel was used for the more influential of the deceased, with much the same practice as laying offerings at the false door or statue. With the offerings in place, the deceased would sing the praises of the living individual to the gods (Ikram, 2003; 193). In addition, letters were often composed to the dead beseeching the deceased to act on behalf of the living. Sometimes these wishes were that the deceased interact in their lives or that they would ask the gods to act in their favor. This is a unique form of piety, one allowing the common populace to take a hand in their own fates instead of leaving it to priests and distant gods (Ikram, 2003; 200).

In the Middle Kingdom, there was little evidence of an individual’s chances of elevating their social status in death (Richards, 2005; 63). By the New Kingdom, this thought process had reversed, giving the lower classes not only the ability to bury their dead in as opulent a style as they could afford, but it also allowed them the chance of a better afterlife (Szpakowska, 2008; 181).

Be the first to like.

Like

Unlike

© 2011, Page Strong. All rights reserved.

That's a Wrap!

Tags: Ancient Egypt, egypt, egyptian, egyptology, piety, religion, theory

This entry was posted by Page Strong on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at 10:30 and is filed under Ancient Egypt, Egyptology, Every Day Life, Everyday Life, life, Religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.