Artwork Page for Book of the Dead of Hori

Details / Information for Book of the Dead of Hori

Book of the Dead of Hori

c. 1069–945 BCE

Egypt, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE), Dynasty 21

Medium
papyrus
Measurements
Overall: 23 cm (9 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Charles W. Harkness Endowment Fund 1921.1032
Public Domain
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Location
107 Egyptian
Print

Description

The Egyptian Book of the Dead--or as they called it, the Book of Going Forth By Day--was not a single, unified, and authoritative manuscript, but a handful of special spells selected from a pool of about 200 age-old magical formulae. This illustrated Book of the Dead inscribed for the priest Hori includes the so-called Book of Gates. There are sixteen gates through which Hori must pass, each guarded by a fierce, animal-headed, knife-brandishing monster. Among them are "The Mistress of Wrath," "The Fiery One," and the "Long-Horned Bull." To reach the afterlife, Hori must present the gate-keepers with a series of secret passwords provided for him in the papyrus. At the far right, we see Hori, who having completed his task, is now reborn.
Horizontally long strip of papyrus, a striated, paper-like material, with scenes intermixed with columns of black-inked hieroglyphics, a pictorial writing system. Left, scenes include a black jackal, a dog-like creature, and the jackal-headed god Anubis standing over a mummy. Then, there are two rows making fifteen rectangles framing mostly animal-headed, knife-bearing creatures. Right, stands a person almost the height of the papyrus, gesturing back to the rest of the papyrus.

Book of the Dead of Hori

c. 1069–945 BCE

Egypt, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE), Dynasty 21

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