Spend a year in the company of the ancient Egyptians, during the twenty-sixth and final year of the reign of Amenhotep II (c.1400 BC), which saw a royal transition bringing Thutmose IV to the throne of Upper and Lower Egypt. While builders from the secluded village of royal tomb workers rush to complete Amenhotep's tomb, and craftsmen labor to finish the numerous extravagant objects to accompany the god-king in his burial, most Egyptians go about their daily lives in ways unchanged for eons. Following the Egyptian calendar year, which was divided into three seasons (inundation, sowing and harvest), we will meet a farmer and his family, an embalmer, an artisan, a royal physician, a priest and even a royal wife as they live their lives in Thebes and Memphis during the eighteenth dynasty of the New Kingdom in this remarkable year in ancient Egyptian history. Perfect for: - Readers interested in history, particularly ancient Egypt - Readers of the 24 Hours series - Taking advantage of a potential uptick in interest in ancient Egypt with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9781789293654
Media Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Michael O'Mara Books
Publication Date: 11-01-2022
Pages: 272
Product Dimensions: 5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x 1.00(d)
About the Author
Donald P. Ryan, Ph.D. is an archaeologist and Faculty Fellow in the Division of Humanities at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. His work focuses on Egyptian archaeology, Polynesian archaeology, and ancient languages and scripts. His research in Egypt includes excavations in the Valley of the Kings, where he has discovered lost tombs and controversial mummies. Ryan is the author of several books and numerous scientific and popular articles on archaeological subjects, including Ancient Egypt on Five Deben a Day, Beneath the Sands of Egypt and Ancient Egypt: The Basics.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents Introduction 1 THE FIRST MONTH OF THE RIVER’S FLOODING A farmer and his family celebrate the Egyptian new year’s festival Bakers and brewers prepare Egypt’s staples 2 THE SECOND MONTH OF THE RIVER’S FLOODING The ruler reviews his impressive accomplishments The priests of Amun facilitate the Opet Festival 3 THE THIRD MONTH OF THE RIVER’S FLOODING The fishermen launch their skiffs The potters spin out a variety of vessels The farmer is pressed into service to work on a royal project The priestesses of Hathor prepare for the festival honouring their goddess 4 THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE RIVER’S FLOODING The scribe visits the paper-makers The vinter sells wine for a party The families of the herdsman and the overseer of works celebrate weddings Musicians and dancers entertain 5 THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SOWING The farmer prepares his land for planting The vizier receives updates The vizier visits his own tomb and dies The embalmers receive a project The ruler mourns The commander and his troops visit towns in Canaan 6 THE SECOND MONTH OF THE SOWING The physician The royal physicians address the ruler’s declining health The Queen confers with the Crown Prince The farmer and the herdsman collaborate THE SOWING The ruler dies The embalmers are recruited The royal artisans construct exquisite buria l equipment The Overseer of Works supervises the royal tomb 8 THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE SOWING The Crown Prince The Overseer of Works makes final preparations for a royal funeral 9 THE FIRST MONTH OF THE HARVEST The Captain of the Royal Bark sets sail with a mummy The deceased ruler is interred The new ruler commissions his own royal tomb 10 THE SECOND MONTH OF THE HARVEST The ruler contracts a stone-cutter The priests carry out the Beautiful Festival of the Valley The farmer begins to harvest 11 THE THIRD MONTH OF THE HARVEST The commander returns from Canaan The Overseer of the Treasury assesses tribute and booty The fates of the captives are determined 12 THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE HARVEST The accountants and tax collectors arrive to tally and take The captives are introduced to their work The priests celebrate the birthdays of several gods The ruler plans his next moves Epilogue Acknowledgements Picture credits Bibliography Index