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The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Revised) — Occult Philosophy

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The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Revised)

Name: The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Revised)
Price: 160.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780856687549

✍️ Faulkner, R O

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A comprehensive English translation of Middle Kingdom funerary inscriptions.

This volume presents a complete English rendering of texts found on coffins during Egypt's Middle Kingdom. It bridges the chronological and thematic gap between the earlier Pyramid Texts and the later Book of the Dead. The work provides scholars with direct access to the linguistic evolution of Egyptian afterlife beliefs. It captures the specific ritual language used by non-royal elites who could not afford pyramid chambers but still desired magical protection for their journey. The text preserves the original structure of these spells, allowing readers to trace how religious concepts adapted over centuries. This edition consolidates previously scattered material into a single accessible format for study.

Key Themes

Middle Kingdom funerary practices Egyptian afterlife rituals Pyramid Texts evolution

Literary Context

The texts originate from the Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. They represent a transitional phase in religious literature, situated between the Old Kingdom Pyramid Texts and the New Kingdom Book of the Dead. This era saw the democratization of funerary magic, allowing non-royal individuals to access protective spells previously reserved for pharaohs.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Plato's Phaedo · The Tibetan Book of the Dead · Hermes Trismegistus

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Liverpool University Press 📅 2004 📖 800 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780856687549

Fun Fact

Faulkner's Coffin Texts remain the gold standard for scholars and enthusiasts alike, offering direct communion with ancient Egyptian eschatology. This single-volume edition is a welcome consolidation, enhancing accessibility without compromising academic rigor. While not a casual read, those seeking a profound understanding of Middle Kingdom funerary practices and the evolution of Egyptian spiritual thought will find it invaluable. It will, however, disappoint those looking for a simplified, interpretive guide rather than a raw, scholarly translation of primary source material.

📝 Description: The Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts (Revised)

R O Faulkner provides an authoritative English translation of the Middle Kingdom coffin texts in this revised edition. As a recognized scholar in the field, Faulkner ensures that the linguistic nuances of these ancient inscriptions are preserved for modern readers. This volume reprints his entire work in one substantial hardcover, making it a practical resource for Egyptologists and serious students of ancient history. The book fills the historical gap between the Pyramid Texts and the New Kingdom Book of the Dead. It offers direct access to the spells and incantations that were inscribed on the inner surfaces of coffins during this specific period. The text is organized to reflect the original sequence of the coffin inscriptions. Readers will encounter a wide array of magical formulas designed to protect the deceased in the afterlife. These include spells for opening gates, transforming into different forms, and sustaining the spirit with offerings. The language reflects the theological concerns of the Middle Kingdom elite who sought immortality without royal status. The physical volume contains 800 pages of dense scholarly material. It weighs approximately 1.82 kilograms and measures 4.85 centimeters in height by 25.4 centimeters in length. This substantial format allows for clear presentation of the translated texts alongside necessary commentary. This book suits Egyptologists, linguists, and historians who require a complete reference to Middle Kingdom funerary literature. It is not intended for casual readers seeking introductory overviews or simplified mythology. The content demands attention to detail and an interest in primary source material. The revised edition remains the standard reference for this specific corpus of ancient Egyptian writing. It stands as a critical tool for understanding the development of Egyptian religious thought during the Middle Kingdom.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This volume is an indispensable academic resource for those dedicated to Egyptology and comparative mythology. Faulkner’s translation provides clarity on complex funerary spells that define the soul's transformation. However, it is not suitable for casual readers seeking narrative fiction or light spiritual inspiration. The dense, scholarly nature of the text requires patience and a specific interest in historical linguistics and ancient ritual mechanics. Those expecting a modern self-help guide will find this dry and overly technical. It is strictly for serious students of antiquity who appreciate rigorous textual analysis over accessible prose.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and deep practitioners of esoteric history will find immense value in this comprehensive edition. It offers a rare, unified view of the Middle Kingdom’s Coffin Texts, revealing how spiritual access expanded beyond royalty to include more people seeking eternal life. Readers interested in the Duat, the concept of the akh, and the evolution of sacred texts will appreciate this definitive translation by Faulkner. It serves as a cornerstone for understanding ancient Egyptian spiritual practice and the psychological journey through death, providing essential context for comparative religion studies.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you are drawn to the profound spiritual traditions of ancient Egypt, seek to understand the intricate journey of the soul after death, or are studying the evolution of funerary literature, this work is indispensable. It offers direct access to the wisdom that guided Middle Kingdom Egyptians.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This volume is an indispensable academic resource for those dedicated to Egyptology and comparative mythology. Faulkner’s translation provides clarity on complex funerary spells that define the soul's transformation. However, it is not suitable for casual readers seeking narrative fiction or light spiritual inspiration. The dense, scholarly nature of the text requires patience and a specific interest in historical linguistics and ancient ritual mechanics. Those expecting a modern self-help guide will find this dry and overly technical. It is strictly for serious students of antiquity who appreciate rigorous textual analysis over accessible prose.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While it is a scholarly translation, a dedicated reader with an interest in ancient Egyptian religion will find immense value. Some familiarity with basic concepts of Egyptian mythology is helpful, but the texts themselves are profoundly illuminating.

This revised edition consolidates Faulkner's entire authoritative English translation into a single volume. It offers the complete body of his work, making it a more convenient and comprehensive resource than earlier multi-volume publications.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Journey to the Afterlife

The Coffin Texts meticulously map the perilous voyage souls undertake through the underworld, known as the Duat. They detail the challenges, guardians, and transformations awaiting the deceased, providing spells and guidance essential for navigating this spiritual landscape and achieving rebirth in the Field of Reeds.

Democratization of Immortality

Unlike the earlier Pyramid Texts, which were exclusive to pharaohs, these writings reflect a pivotal shift where the promise of an eternal existence became accessible to non-royal elites. This collection illustrates how funerary rituals and protective spells evolved to serve a wider segment of Egyptian society, offering personal salvation.

Magical Efficacy of Spells

Central to these texts are powerful incantations and invocations designed to ensure the deceased's protection, sustenance, and ultimate deification. They demonstrate the ancient Egyptian belief in the transformative power of the spoken word, enabling the departed to overcome obstacles and merge with divine forces in the afterlife.

📜 Historical context

Emerging during Egypt's Middle Kingdom (circa 2055–1650 BCE), the Coffin Texts bridge the spiritual gap between the royal Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom and the later New Kingdom Book of the Dead. They mark a significant development in funerary literature, reflecting a period of expanded spiritual access and theological complexity that shaped subsequent beliefs.

📚 Glossary

Duat
Akh
Field of Reeds

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on how the Coffin Texts' democratization of the afterlife might have impacted Egyptian society and individual spiritual aspirations during the Middle Kingdom.
Consider the symbolic journey through the Duat described in these texts. How do these ancient spiritual maps compare to modern or other ancient concepts of the underworld or afterlife?
Explore the role of magical spells and declarations in ancient Egyptian religion. How do you perceive the power of words in shaping reality or spiritual outcomes, based on these writings?