Egyptian Mythology

A unique approach to Egyptian mythology that takes the reader on a tour up the Nile, stopping at the most famous monuments and vividly retelling the myths connected to each site

Garry J. Shaw guides us on an entertaining and inventive tour up the Nile, through a beautiful and fascinating landscape populated with a rich mythology: the stories of Horus, Isis, Osiris and their enemies and allies, stories of vengeance, tragedy and fantastic metamorphoses. This traveler’s guide to mythology not only retells these stories but reconnects them to the temples and monuments that still stand today, offering a fresh look at the most visited sites of Egypt.

Each chapter begins with an evocative description of the location and a beautiful specially commissioned illustration of the landscape—including the magnificent sites of Dendera, Tell el-Amarna, Edfu and Thebes. This is followed by a profile on the gods that were worshiped there and retellings of associated myths and stories that formed the backdrop to the rituals and customs of everyday life, illustrated in two-color throughout. The gods and goddesses were as much a part of the environment as the deserts, fields and oases. Shaw ends each chapter with a quick history of the site, as well some practical tips for visiting the sites today.

The myths of ancient Egypt survive in fragments of ancient hymns and paintings on the walls of tombs and temples. Garry Shaw brings these stories to life: the creation of the world and the underworld, the complicated family relationships of the gods, rivalries between powerful magicians and pharaohs, and the legends of the Sphinx. This is the perfect companion to the myths of ancient Egypt and the landscapes, gods and goddesses that shaped them.