Egyptian Religion: Egyptian Ideas of the Future Life by E.A. Wallis Budge

Egyptian Religion: Egyptian Ideas of the Future Life Reviews

• 
  Brian Griffith

  This book was originally published in 1899, and it shows it. In a kind of reverse Orientalism, Budge holds it evident that the ancient Egyptians "believed in One God, who was self-existent, immortal, invisible, eternal, omniscient, almighty, and inscrutable ...." As for all the evidence that they built temples to many deities, Budge admits that they "also developed polytheistic ideas ... to such a degree that the nations around ... were misled by his [the Egyptian's] actions, and described him as a polytheistic idolator."
  
  With such determination to read monotheism into all ancient inscriptions, Budge offers translations that sound like the Nicaean Creed.
• 
  Mark Dickson

  I thought Fleabag (from the same author) was better to be honest.
  
  Lots of extracts from religious texts that do a great job of demonstrating that they’ve always been long, unwieldy and repetitive.
  
  The accompanying commentary and discussion were the most interesting part of this book, and I can’t say I didn’t skim through the long lists.
• 
  Bob Nichols

  This book describes monotheism in ancient Egypt – the “One, self-begotten, and self-existent God” that can be traced, the author says, to at least 3800 BCE. Initially, the supreme God was Ra but, in time, Osiris, the “king of the underworld and judge of the dead…became the equal and, in certain cases, the superior of Ra, the Sun-god.” Osiris, supported by a polytheistic cast, increasingly takes on the paramount role for ensuring “everlasting life and resurrection” through his judgment of the dead. Eternal life centered on the soul and spirit, leaving the body behind. The practice of mummification, of preserving the body at death and of adding food, tools, and such for an afterlife, is initially puzzling the author notes, but then he concludes that resurrection in the next life takes on a new body form, with the old body serving much like a nurse log, as a seed bed, sprouting from dead bodies, for a new life.
  
  As the author notes, the parallel of the Osiris figure with Jesus and Christian theology is clear enough. While the author does not note this, a question is the degree to which Plato’s theological philosophy was influenced by ancient Egypt. There are also interesting parallels in this book with Indian thought.
  
• 
  O

  Although the intention really was to illustrate the the academic side of the religion, I could not help but really absorb its spiritual qualities. Budge illustrated the various waves of religious sway over the years and discussed the changes of the main gods from Ra to Osiris (a mortal dying and rising)to Amen-Ra, to the cult of Aten and then back to Amen once more.
  
  His most referenced religious text is the Book of Coming Forth by Day which he refers to throughout the book in its more layman form the Book of the Dead which I presume to be out of convenience for both him and the reader to linkages a bit faster. The Book of the Dead makes sense when we are speaking about the souls of those who are deceased and are waiting for their hearts to be weighed in the balance.
  
  Overall an excellent text for any beginner on Egyptian Religion.
• 
  Daniel G.

  Read in conjunction with his other book, "Egyptian Magic." Good read, dated. See my review of "Egyptian Magic."
• 
  Omar Nizam

  - Book Review: "Egyptian Ideas Of the Future Life" by E.A. Wallis Budge - 📚🇪🇬🇬🇧
  
  Written in 1899, E.A. Wallis Budge is a respected Egyptologist who's research has helped to decode the history of Ancient Egypt.
  
  The book contains a plethora of information covering some 3,000+ years of history.
  
  The writing is not so much a hook as it is a bastion of information. Many an Egyptologist will agree that Budge's research is the bedrock on which all modern Egyptologists base their work.
  
  On a negative note, the author - having lived during the height of colonial times - is a product of his time, and it shows in his writing.
  
  By using cringeworthy vocabulary to describe the Ancient Egyptians (such as "savage" and "simple minded"), Budge's book does not age very well and can be seen as highly offensive to modern sensitivities. It was difficult to enjoy the book fully when having to come across such vocabulary at several instances in the book.
  
  Nevertheless, if one can go past the author's colonial mindset, the book is a valuable reference tool to have.
  
  My rating: 3/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 
  Louis Boyle

  Clearly dated although no doubt it made many great contributions for its time. The Egyptian monotheistic argument which the book relies on is now widely discredited by scholars and evidently a false projection of the author’s own bias. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note the many similarities between monotheistic Christianity and Egyptian polytheism. Interesting read.
• 
  Mike

  Loved it. Will probably write a short review later after finals week.
• 
  Nicholas Martin

  A better summary at the end would have been preferred.
• 
  Arrianne

  So far this book is very fascinating. I appreciate most that it examines Egyptian beliefs within the frame of what is understood about Egyptian society, rather than frame it from a western perspective.
  
  This book quotes hymns from The Book of the Dead extensively. The author also touches on how the religion changed through progressing dynasties.
  
  The similarities in modern religions are extraordinary and apparently timeless. While the book is short in length, it is a great starting point for a greater understanding.
• 
  David Olmsted

  This book is a classic first publish in 1900 by keeper of Egyptian and Assyrian antiquities at the British museum. It mostly covers the basic religious after-death ideology of the middle and late kingdoms (the Book of the Dead).
• 
  Melody

  I was fascinated by Greek and Norse mythology and religion. I thought (ancient) Egyptian religion was complicated plus their idols are not made in the image of men. And reading this - well.. it is complicated still but at least I am enlightened at some points. :-)
• 
  Lysergius

  Almost unreadable.
• 
  Susan

  First published in 1899, this is a lengthy book filled with detailed information about the ancient Egyptian views of life, death, and the afterlife. There is much detailed information about the so-called Book of the Dead, with numerous direct quotes and