Truth is the Soul of the Sun - A Biographical Novel of Hatshepsut-Maatkare Review

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(More customer reviews)Maria Isabel Pita has accomplished a true feat in her book TRUTH IS THE SOUL OF THE SUN (the name of the book is a translation of Hatshepsut-Maatkare's name) - a book of obviously demanding research coupled with a degree of fictionalized spaces where more is not known, 'more' in this case being the sensual side of the queen who history has proven to be the most powerful female ever known. Pita takes 550 pages to tell her story: reading this book takes a big commitment of time. Not that Pita does not write well (she in fact writes with a fine sense of flow of thoughts along with her careful documentation of facts), but the story is about Egypt and requires so many names of persons and gods and ideas that keeping the story straight is, at times, problematic.
But for those who love Egyptian history this biographical novel is a treasure trove. Not only does Pita give us the strangely startling emergence of Hatshepsut to the place of royalty and eventually the role of the Female Falcon who ruled Egypt as one as closely tied to divinity as any of her predecessors or subsequent rulers, but she also is able to fashion a rather incredible picture of a woman who was adored on many levels - including the compete allegiance of the men of Egypt. There are sufficient forays into her sensual side to satisfy the reader who prefers 'doctored historical fiction', but the achievement here is a work that pulls together the fragments of knowledge about a phenomenal queen into one significant survey. The book many be a bit too long and demanding for the casual reader, but for those who relish a good story about an important historical figure from ancient Egypt, this is a good read. Grady Harp, November 09

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Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook: Annotated Translations of Greek and Latin Texts and Documents (Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World) Review

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(More customer reviews)_Greek and Roman Technology: A Sourcebook_ by Humphrey, Oleson and Sherwood is a fascinating and yet accessible examination of ancient technology in all its aspects. The sourcebook format is particularly well suited to such a diverse topic, and brings the reader closer to the Greeks and Romans in letting us read their own writings about technology. The authors have amassed a spectacular collection of passages from ancient authors on all aspects of ancient technology: the rise of technology and civilization (including some mythical sources), sources of energy and basic mechanical devices, agriculture, food processing, mining, metallurgy, construction engineering, hydraulic engineering, household crafts and workshop production (metals, wood, ceramics, textiles, etc.), transport and trade, record-keeping, and military technology. The final chapter on "Attitudes towards labour, innovation, and technology" is particularly interesting in light of modern issues. The passages themselves are well translated into readable English and are prefaced by short yet very informative introductions on the subject at hand. There seem to be no missing categories I could think of. A short introduction explains the approach of the book, the sources, and contains an essay on "society and technology in antiquity." There are several thorough indices, which make it a handy reference book and source for further study. Anyone who is genuinely interested in the ancient world or the history of science and technology should enjoy this book. It is eminently dippable and can easily be read a few pages at a time. It would make a great present for a well read friend.

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Akhenaten and the Religion of Light Review

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(More customer reviews)Amenhotep IV (later known as Akhenaten) reigned during the Eighteenth Dynasty. He defied tradition and centered worship upon one deity, the sun god Aten. In this book, the author provides a concise, accurate and very readable account of his reign. A summary is also provided of the nineteenth-century scholars (Lepsius and Champollion to name a few) who discovered and first interpreted the ruins of Akhenaten. The author gives a religious background of Akhenaten and his father's beliefs; he also discusses the founding of the city of Akhenaten, the belief in monotheism and the processes by which Tutankhaten becomes Tutankhamen the successor. The book offers an excellent bibliography for further consultation of the subject. It is one of the best books on the subject of this heretic pharaoh. Recommended reading for all.

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Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, was king of Egypt during the Eighteenth Dynasty and reigned from 1375 to 1358 b.c. Called the "religious revolutionary," he is the earliest known creator of a new religion. The cult he founded broke with Egypt's traditional polytheism and focused its worship on a single deity, the sun god Aten. Erik Hornung, one of the world's preeminent Egyptologists, here offers a concise and accessible account of Akhenaten and his religion of light.Hornung begins with a discussion of the nineteenth-century scholars who laid the foundation for our knowledge of Akhenaten's period and extends to the most recent archaeological finds. He emphasizes that Akhenaten's monotheistic theology represented the first attempt in history to explain the entire natural and human world on the basis of a single principle. "Akhenaten made light the absolute reference point," Hornung writes, "and it is astonishing how clearly and consistently he pursued this concept." Hornung also addresses such topics as the origins of the new religion; pro-found changes in beliefs regarding the afterlife; and the new Egyptian capital at Akhetaten which was devoted to the service of Aten, his prophet Akhenaten, and the latter's family.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Egyptian Tattoos (Temporary Tattoos) Review

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(More customer reviews)The tattoos are quite nice and have nice details, but they wear off very quickly - in less than a day!

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Egyptian Gods and Goddesses Art Tattoos Review

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(More customer reviews)There are only 4 tattoos in this book. They're bigger and a little hard to get on little arms and legs (kids). The art and color is very nice and there is a lot of detail.

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The Book of the Dead Review

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(More customer reviews)I gave this book 5 stars simply for the reason being that Budge was the first to translate the Egyptian Text and offered a literal translation. In contrast, if anyone wants to read a mystical interpretation of the text the best available for this would be: (The Egyptian Book of the Dead : The Book of Coming Forth by Day by: Muata A. Ashbi)

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Including the Hieroglyphic Transcript and English Translation of the Papyrus of AniFascinating compendium of ancient Egyptian mythology, religious beliefs and magical practices.Includes spells, incantations, hymns, magical formulas and prayers.All explained by one of the most knowledgeable and respected Egyptologists of the early 20th century.B&W illustrations, photographs and hieroglyphics throughout.704 pages.

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The Venus Throw: A Novel of Ancient Rome Review

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(More customer reviews)Firstly, readers of this review who have not read any of Saylor's novels should proceed directly to 'Roman Blood', the first of the Gordianus mystery series (set in ancient Rome). Saylor's books are best read in sequence in order to capture the essence of its private eye hero (Gordianus the finder).
Unlike the other Gordianus novels, The Venus Throw is a mystery involving murder and intrique close to and in (!) the Gordianus household. An old Egyptian friend of Gordianus is murdered and, of course, Gordianus is hired to find the killer. The outcome is very surprising, and all along we are entertained by Saylor's excellent prose. And true to form, Saylor also sprinkles in copious sauciness (orgies, boys behaving badly, etc) without being crude.
Bottom line: one of the best of a fine historical mystery series. Highly recommended.

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The Tomb of Tut Ankh Amen: Volume 1: Search Discovery and the Clearance of the Antechamber (Duckworth Egyptology) Review

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(More customer reviews)I first read the three volumes of this story 50 years ago. It was one of the greatest stories I had ever read, and still is. Carter wrote the three volumes in the off season between digs, partly to raise money from the sale of the books to continue his work. I felt like he was telling me day by day in real time (although of course time was speeded up, and I didn't have to wait a year between volumes like the original readers did). Imagine going for a year without knowing what would be found in the next area of the tomb. And remember, Carter didn't know, either.
Duckworth has done a superb job of reprinting these books. The second time I read these books, probably 35 years ago, all I could find was a three-volumes-in one edition, with poor quality illustrations. This one is great.


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The tomb of Tutankhamun (Tut.ankh.Amen), uncovered in November 1922, was the greatest archaeological find the world has ever seen. Though entered by thieves in antiquity, the burial of the king lay intact within its nest of coffins and funerary shrines, surrounded by a mass of burial equipment arranged in three peripheral chambers. "The Tomb of Tut.ankh.Amen: Search, Discovery and the Clearance of the Antechamber," originally published in 1923, is the first volume of Carter's magnificent trilogy, describing the years of frustration, the triumph of the tomb's eventual discovery, and the start of the long, breathtaking process of recording and clearance.

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Rhetorius the Egyptian Review

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(More customer reviews)I thought that the translations were pretty good and easy to follow. Bear in mind, this is ancient event-oriented astrology. Buy the Arkana Dictionary of Astrology by Fred Gettings as a companion to this book. Some of the foot notes explain the less well known astrological terms. It is presumed that the original text was written sometime in the 7th century, but the author is not sure. All in all a treasure to have, especially if you are interested in classical astrology and/or the ancient history of astrology.

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This book contains the Astrological Compendium of the late Classical astrologer Rhetorius the Egyptian. It contains his Explanation and Narration of The Whole Art of Astrology, and was translated from the Greek by James Herschel Holden, M.A., Research Director of the American Federation of Astrologers. Also included are the treatises by Teucer of Babylon on the Nature of the Signs of the Zodiac and the Nature of the Seven planets. Rhetorius was the last major astrological writer of the Classical period of Greek Astrology.

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The Year of the Cobra (Ancient Egypt Trilogy) Review

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(More customer reviews)Paul Doherty has made a big name for himself as an author by writing medieval mysteries. He is a very prolific author but strangely his books do not suffer from this. They are always very fresh and extremely well researched by an author who knows his subject.
This new venture into books on Ancient Egypt, this being part of a trilogy are also well researched. The man is a headmaster, a medieval historian and now to cap it all an Egyptologist as well. It makes me feel tired just thinking about it.
It is a mark of the author if he can capture the spirit of the time he is writing about and of course make is characters come alive, make them believable, though not necessarily likeable. Paul Doherty does all of this with ease. His plots are always excellent, making it almost impossible for the reader to prempt the way the book will conclude.
The previous book in the trilogy ended with Mahu being recalled to court because of the increasing instability of the mind of the Pharaoh, Tutankhamun. This book continues the tale. The young pharaoh is still unwell, but there is no one to take his place and the Hittites, sworn enemies, are advancing on Egypt. There is much plotting and counter plotting. Traps for the unwary are being set . . .

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Moses in the Twelfth Dynasty Egyptian Literature: A Reconstruction Review

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(More customer reviews)Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It is wonderful - action, adventure, mystery! What more could you want? A fascinating read for anyone interested in Moses.

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Conventional biblical scholars tentatively position Moses during the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom reign of Ramses II. Not much evidence supports this view. However, the Egyptian Twelfth Dynasty stories provide so many details which match Exodus details,

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The Magic of Obelisks Review

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(More customer reviews)Well done book filled with arcane references and hard to find information on many occult traditions. A surprisingly broad book given the title.

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The Mummy: A Handbook of Egyptian Funerary Archaeology (Cambridge Library Collection - Archaeology) Review

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(More customer reviews)This handbook is a good reference to keep on one's desk about ancient Egypt. Good overview of hieroglyphics, funeral practices and the fundamental tenets of Egyptian religion. Be warned that is not a "popular" history; it's clearly aimed at the graduate student/professional level. That being said, the book could definitely use a new edition-the one I have says first edition 1893 second edition 1925. The prose reflects this as well: long passages in Greek and French, indicative of British scholastic writing at this time. I'm thinking there's an excellent project here for a doctoral candidate- a new edition reflecting scholarship from the last 75 years, along with appropriate translations (original texts could be appendices so the pedantic can perform their own translations). All in all, the results are worth the reader's effort.

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Sir Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge (1857-1934) was a prominent English Egyptologist who was Keeper of the Department of Egyptian and Assyrian Antiquities in the British Museum between 1893 and 1924. He was knighted in 1920 for his contributions to Egyptology. First published in 1893, this book contains a detailed discussion of the funerary rituals and objects which were used in Egyptian religion to allow the deceased to live again in the Duat (the afterlife). Budge provides detailed descriptions of common religious texts, religious rites and the major deities involved in these. He also includes interpretations for other artefacts which commonly accompanied a burial, including shabiti statues and amulets. His comprehensive study represents the state of Egyptian funerary archaeology before major archaeological finds of the twentieth century challenged its interpretations. The text reissued here is taken from the expanded and revised second edition, published in 1925.

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Cleopatra to Christ (Jesus was the Great Grandson of Cleopatra) / Scota, Egyptian Queen of the Scots (Ireland and Scotland were founded by an Egyptian Queen) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have read almost all of the author's books and I find that he just might have a shred of truth in this one
and also a lot of his own perceptions without any firm basis. I have an idea there might be more fiction
than facts. Secrets of the Magdalene Scrolls

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Book One: A Reconstruction of Jesus' roots and family history. The Bible says that the infant Jesus was visited by the Magi of the East, and that he was educated in Egypt. Seeming to be of royal blood, he was crowned King of the Jews. The inference from these sparse facts is that Jesus was probably of both Egyptian and Persian royal blood, but that he was exiled to Judaea in about 4 AD. In fact, there was a royal family in the early first century AD that fits all the requirements to produce this scion, though only known about for hundreds of years. Scota: Egyptian Queen of the Scots: Six hundred years ago, Walter Bower set out to record the known history of the Irish and Scottish people. Drawing on records from the first millennium AD, the astounding account he wrote maintained that the Irish and Scottish people were descended from Queen Scota, who was an Egyptian princess. It is from Scota and her husband Gaythelos that the names for the Scottish and Gaelic people were derived. It has generally been assumed that this account is mythological; however, Ellis has amassed sufficient evidence to demonstrate that it is true history, and that the Irish and Scots people were descended from a daughter of Pharaoh Akhenaton. Includes 12-page color section.

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The Desert a City: An Introduction to the Study of Egyptian and Palestian Monasticism Under the Christian Empire Review

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(More customer reviews)This is indeed a classic but it is by no means the first book you should read about early asceticism. As a true introduction I would recommend William Harmless's Desert Christians: An Introduction to the Literature of Early Monasticism. Harmless very aptly says of Chitty's book: "[It is] a dense network of names and places and events -- too dense, I believe, for the real beginner. It is also full of brilliant passing insights and wonderful throwaway lines whose cogency is lost on most. And so I find Chitty's work not so much an introduction, but rather a wise road map for those who are already knee-deep in the literature."


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Women's Roles in Ancient Civilizations: A Reference Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)A superb book and was excellently written! The title says all! Extraordinary!

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The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A Modern Investigation of Pharaoh's Workforce Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the story of the first pyramid workmen's town, a fascinating story for those who want to know more about Ancient Egypt's everyday life. The image of the 'whip-driven slave' is replaced by skilled workers who worry about normal everyday problems such as family, food and work conditions. Sure, the pyramids were made by very special people, but no, these people were not mysterious aliens. This study helps humanize the Ancient Egyptians.

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In Rosalie David's hands, the Egyptian builders of the pyramids are revealed as simple people, leading ordinary lives while they are engaged on building the great tomb for a Pharoah. This is an engrossing detective story, bringing to the general reader a fascinating picture of a special community that lived in Egypt and built one of the pyramids, some four thousand years ago.

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