The Egyptian Book of the Dead

Deliver me from the Watchers who bear slaughtering knives, and who have cruel fingers. This deluxe gift edition presents The Egyptian Book of the Dead, an ancient collection of spells, prayers and incantations designed to guide the departed through the perils of the underworld. Written as part of funeral rites to ensure eternal life, these scrolls were often left in the sarcophagus of the deceased and now offer fascinating insight into Egyptian culture. This beautifully illustrated edition contains images from the exquisite Papyrus of Ani, an ancient Egyptian scroll narrating the journey of Theban scribe Ani through the underworld. Its accompanying hieroglyphic text has been translated by acclaimed Egyptologist E.A Wallis Budge, and includes spells addressed to ferryman, gods and kings to aid Ani on his way to the afterlife.