The Gods of the Egyptians or Studies in Egyptian Mythology #224849

Written by one of the most well-known Egyptologist in the world, E. A. Wallis Budge, <i>The Gods of the Egyptians or Studies in Egyptian Mythology</i> is a seminal piece of work on the rich Egyptian mythology. This title is the second volume of a two part series, which covers the entire gamut of research and information on Egyptian mythology and culture. Included in this volume are detailed explanations of the various gods that were worshipped and continue to be revered to this date. <br><br>Spanning over five hundred pages, the author has divided <i>The Gods of the Egyptians or Studies in Egyptian Mythology</i> into multiple chapters, each dedicated to a particular god. Towards the end, there is a section on miscellaneous gods and important birds and animals that have found mention across scriptures and archaeological findings. The presence of a detailed index helps in quick reference. Deviating from a typical textbook structure, this work has lots of illustrations and coloured plates for the reader to contextualize and easily identify common themes and peculiarities found in the many gods of Egypt. Some of the gods covered in this series include Amen, Hapi, Osiris, Isis and Set to name but a few. <br><br>Perhaps the most well written section is on Osiris and Isis as Budge deconstructs common myths linked to both and provides observations backed by facts. The story of Osiris as a judge of the dead as well as a description of his funeral make for an enlightening read while Budge takes great pains to provide additional tools like religious symbols and writings to create an accurate account of Egyptian mythology. <i>The Gods of the Egyptians or Studies in Egyptian Mythology</i> is of course a necessary reference book for students and scholars of Egyptian history but it would provide the perfect starting point for the casual enthusiast as well.