Egyptian Myths

The nineteenth century archaeological exploration of Egypt and the decipherment of hieroglyphs fully revealed for the first time the variety and richness of Egyptian myth. In this absorbing introduction the author examines the sources for the myths and sets them against the background of the history of the ancient Egyptian civilisation. The account begins with the creation legends of the sun god of Heliopolis, Ptar of Memphis and the Ogdoad of Hermopolis. The stories that follow range from epic tales of the gods - the vengeance of Horus, Isis and the seven scorpions, Sakhmet and the slaughter of mankind - to fables such as the shipwrecked sailor and the enchanted island.