NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE

2016 October

Photo: George Rinhart

“No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again, and bring the dawn.” - Maya Angelou

Jeff Burzacott October 5, 2016

As the Egyptian sun fell below the western horizon, it entered the lawless Underworld - and it wasn't guaranteed that it would rise again.

For a dozen hours, the sun god Ra, battled evil demons, determined to foster chaos. The hour-by-hour account of the sun's frightful journey through the Underworld is detailed in the Amduat, “The book of that which is in the Underworld”.

The Amduat chronicled the various perils faced by Ra each hour of the night, before bursting victoriously above the eastern horizon (“God’s Land”) at dawn.

For a deceased pharaoh, the Amduat was a critical document as it contained the directions, spells and secret demon names that the royal soul would need on the nocturnal journey with Ra.

Thankfully, each Egyptian dawn saw the resurrection of the sun-god, Ra, and, for the Egyptians, a powerful symbol of the triumph of life over death.

This has to be one of my favourite vintage photos of all time. Here two 1920s tourists watch as Ra sinks below the horizon from atop the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The women probably felt they had faced their own battle. Ever tried climbing a pyramid in heels?

Enjoyed this article? Want to know more about ancient Egypt?
Subscribe to the print or digital editions of Nile Magazine from the Subscribe page.

  • 2016 October
  • Older
  • Newer
Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.- Art and Archaeol…

Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.
NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:
- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.
- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.
- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.
- Art and Archaeology meet: the two worlds of Susan Osgood.
- The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt.
- Aswan's powerful governors.
- On This Day in Egyptology history.
- Plus much more.

Click on the cover to subscribe.

Featured
Mar 25, 2017
Dark, isn't it? Happy Earth Hour!
Mar 25, 2017

I love that we know the Great Sphinx so well, we can pick it from just the silhouette.

Read More →
Mar 25, 2017
Mar 24, 2017
Intact Middle Kingdom tomb discovered in Aswan
Mar 24, 2017

Shemai was the younger brother of Sarenput II, the powerful governor of Elephantine.

Read More →
Mar 24, 2017
Mar 4, 2017
The Dream Stela restored
Mar 4, 2017

The Ministry of Antiquities is working to preserve Thutmose IV's fanciful story.

Read More →
Mar 4, 2017
  • Contact NILE
  • Index
  • Write for Nile
  • Join The Team
  • FAQs
  • Societies & Clubs

All rights reserved © Nile Magazine 2024

NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt