A Gallery of Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt
10 days left
Invest in History Education
By supporting our charity World History Foundation, you're investing in the future of history education. Your donation helps us empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the world around them. Help us start the new year ready to publish more reliable historical information, free for everyone.
Death in ancient Egypt was understood as a transition of the soul from the earthly plane to the afterlife, a rebirth, not a conclusion. After death, the soul passed through judgment by the godOsiris and, if justified by a life well-lived, was welcomed to the paradise of the Field of Reeds.
After leaving the body - which was laid to rest in a tomb and provided with grave goods for the next life - the soul was guided by the god Anubis to the Hall of Truth to await judgment and was attended there by various deities including Nephthys, Qebhet, Selket and sometimes Hathor and Isis, who provided cool water. The god Thoth presented the record of one’s life to Osiris who conferred with the 42 Judges to determine one’s fate. If the heart of the soul was found lighter than the white feather of Ma’at, one moved on to paradise; if the heart was heavier, it was dropped to the floor and devoured by the monster Amut (also given as Ammit) and one ceased to exist, the worst fate imaginable for an ancient Egyptian.
Works such as the Coffin Texts and the Egyptian Book of the Dead provided the soul with instruction on what to expect and how to navigate the afterlife to reach the Field of Reeds and, once arrived, the soul was greeted by all those who had gone before and lived eternally in the presence of the gods, having regained all one thought had been lost.
Artist's impression of the Opening of the Mouth ritual being performed outside of a tomb in the time of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. This ritual was performed right before the deceased is brought inside the tomb.
Artwork by Marek Szyszko, commissioned by Karwansaray Publishers for Ancient History Magazine, republished with permission.
How did the ancient Egyptians view death and the afterlife?
The ancient Egyptians viewed death as a transition of the soul from the earthly plane to the next realm. Life was understood as an eternal journey, only part of which was lived on earth.
What is the afterlife called in ancient Egypt?
The afterlife in ancient Egypt was known as the Field of Reeds and was understood as a mirror image of one's life on earth where one would live in the presence of the gods.
Who was the Judge of the Dead in ancient Egypt?
The god Osiris was the Judge of the Dead in ancient Egypt.
What is the Egyptian Book of the Dead?
The Egyptian Book of the Dead is an instruction manual for the soul after death to help it navigate the afterlife and find its way to the paradise of the Field of Reeds. It is not in any way the "Egyptian Bible."
