Book of the Dead
In ancient Egyptian times there were many gods as well as life after death. These beliefs led the a form of literature which is known today as the book of the dead. This consisted of the steps to achieving a suitable after life. This was often time (if one had the financial backing) written on papyrus via hieroglyphics. These manuscripts were written as maps of the underworld. In a Book of the dead you could find supernatural spells and advise written to ones self specifically for the occasion of death. This trend started around 1600 B.C. To the left is a picture of Ani's Book of the Dead.
The picture to the right is the papyrus of Ani is possibly the most well preserved Book of the Dead in existence today. It was discovered in 1888 in almost perfect condition. It is 78 feet in length and 1foot and 3inches in width. It now resides in the British Museum in London.
For Egyptians it was extremely hard to get to a happy after life. There were many opportunities that you could die a second death. To die a second death would mean to die permanently, soul and everything. There were multiple tests that one had t pass in order to pass on to a happier after life. This included being judges by the god Osiris by the weight of to good and he bad you accomplished in our life time. By having the Book of the Dead handy one could read from it an follow instructions on how to preform certain tasks, although this might not be of assistance when being judged by Osiris.
http://www.egyptartsite.com/book.html
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/11/2/1288722717091/Egyptian-Book-of-the-Dead-001.jpg
http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/070610_leadimage.jpg
http://www.sacred-texts.com/egy/ebod/ebod12.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Book_of_the_Dead.aspx
http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/070610_nedjmet.jpg
Amerika Jayme
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/11/2/1288722717091/Egyptian-Book-of-the-Dead-001.jpg
http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/070610_leadimage.jpg
http://www.sacred-texts.com/egy/ebod/ebod12.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Book_of_the_Dead.aspx
http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/070610_nedjmet.jpg
Amerika Jayme