This course will provide a thorough understanding of all facets of Egyptian religion, placing it within Egyptian society. It takes a largely thematic approach, examining different aspects of ancient Egyptian religion over the course of the semester. Certain pieces of evidence (such as funerary texts) will be looked at in chronological order; however, many lectures will encompass evidence from a wide time span, in order to present changes and continuity in beliefs and practices as evidenced from as wide a variety of sources as possible.
This course is designed to make you think about the idea of faith in a polytheistic religion, and to understand that faith within the context of ancient Egyptian society. It is intended that you take away from this course an increased understanding and empathy for a very foreign religious belief system and practice. The course places a priority on critical thinking and judgement, by having you examine the relationships between a people and their deities, their ritual practices, and their understanding of the physical world. It will require you to engage with the material in the form of questions posed by me, case studies of various practices in Egyptian religion, and familiarity with the religious texts.