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Download The Book of Gates with the Short Form of the Book Am-Tuat London - Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trnbner & Co 1.0

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Author:
E. A. Wallis Budge

e-Sword Version:
9.x - 10.x

CONTENTS

THE GODDESS NUT. FROM THE SARCOPHAGUS OF SETI I.
Frontispiece

　
THE SHORT FORM OF THE BOOK AM-TUAT:--
　
FIRST HOUR 1
SECOND HOUR 4
THIRD HOUR 8
FOURTH HOUR 13
FIFTH HOUR 16
SIXTH HOUR 20
SEVENTH HOUR 25
EIGHTH HOUR 30
NINTH HOUR 32
TENTH HOUR 34
ELEVENTH HOUR 36
TWELFTH HOUR 38
I. THE ALABASTER SARCOPHAGUS OF SETI I. 43
　
APPENDIX: BELZONI'S ACCOUNT OF HIS DISCOVERY OF THE TOMB OF SETI I. 71
　
THE BOOK OF GATES:--
　
II. THE WESTERN VESTIBULE, OR ANTE-CHAMBER OF THE TUAT, SET-AMENTET, GUARDED BY SET AND TAT. With 2 Illustrations 80
III. THE FIRST GATE, GUARDED BY SAA-SET. With 10 Illustrations
IV. THE SECOND GATE, SEPTET-UAUAU, GUARDED BY AQEBI. With 7 Illustrations 100
V. THE THIRD GATE, NEBT-S-TCHEFAU, GUARDED BY TCHETBI. With 10 Illustrations 119
VI. THE FOURTH GATE, ARIT, GUARDED BY TEKA-HRA, With 11 Illustrations 139
VII. THE JUDGMENT HALL OF OSIRIS. With 1 Illustration 158
VIII. THE FIFTH GATE, NEBT-AHA, GUARDED BY SET-EM-MAAT-F. With 4 Illustrations 168
IX. THE SIXTH GATE, PESTIT, GUARDED BY AKHA-EN-MAAT. With 27 Illustrations 190
X. THE SEVENTH GATE, BEKHKHI, GUARDED BY SET-HRA. With 9 Illustrations 219
XI. THE EIGHTH GATE, AAT-SHEFSHEFT, GUARDED BY AB-TA. With 12 Illustrations 237
XII. THE NINTH GATE, TCHESERIT, GUARDED BY SETHU. With 10 Illustrations 259
XIII. THE TENTH GATE, SHETAT-BESU, GUARDED BY AM-NETU-F. With 12 Illustrations 279
XIV. THE ELEVENTH GATE, TESERT-BAIU, GUARDED BY SEBI AND RERI, OR THE EASTERN VESTIBULE OF THE TUAT. With 2 Illustrations 301

Synopsis

The Book of Gates: Synopsis and Overview

The Book of Gates is an ancient Egyptian funerary text dating back to the New Kingdom, particularly associated with the tomb of Pharaoh Osiris, and is instrumental in guiding souls through the afterlife. Its primary purpose is to depict the journey of a deceased soul as it navigates the treacherous landscape of the underworld, confronting various gods, monsters, and obstacles, ultimately reaching the realm of Osiris, the god of the dead.

The text is structured around the concept of the "Gates," which represent different divisions of the underworld. The journey begins with the soul’s awakening and purification at the start of the afterlife. It then proceeds through a series of gates, each guarded by deities and symbolic of various stages of spiritual transformation. These gates are associated with specific colors, symbols, and threats, emphasizing the perilous nature of the voyage.

Throughout the journey, the soul is subjected to tests, including recitations of protective spells, offerings of incense, and prayers to gods such as Osiris, Horus, and Anubis. The ultimate goal is to reach the Hall of Judgment, where the soul’s heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at (truth and cosmic order). If found pure, the soul is granted eternal life in the realm of Osiris; if not, it faces annihilation.

The text is richly illustrated, with scenes depicting the soul’s passage, encounters with gods, and the various gates. It emphasizes themes of moral righteousness, spiritual purity, and the importance of knowledge and ritual in ensuring safe passage to the afterlife.

The Book of Gates reflects the Egyptian belief in an organized and perilous journey after death, highlighting the importance of funerary rites and moral conduct. It served as both a religious guide and a source of hope for the deceased to attain eternal life.

Short Form: The Am-Tuat (London Edition)

The Am-Tuat, or Book of the Afterworld, is a foundational funerary text that describes the Egyptian conception of the underworld, divided into twelve hours (or regions), each associated with specific gods, monsters, and symbolic landscapes. It narrates the journey of the sun god Ra through the underworld during the night, symbolizing rebirth and the cycle of life and death.

In the London editions, the Am-Tuat is presented as a series of poetic and pictorial texts that depict Ra’s voyage, his encounters with various deities and creatures, and the challenges he faces, such as demons and chaos. The text emphasizes the importance of maintaining cosmic order (Ma’at) and the need for the deceased to align with divine principles to achieve rebirth.

The Am-Tuat underscores themes of renewal, divine authority, and the eternal cycle, serving both as a mythological account and a guide for the deceased to navigate the afterlife successfully. It complements other funerary texts like the Book of Gates and the Book of the Dead, forming a comprehensive picture of Egyptian beliefs about death, rebirth, and the divine order.