Pyramid Texts
In the Pyramid Texts, the Egyptians believe that their afterlife will be much like the way modern Christians picture it. In Christianity, heaven is often depicted as being in the clouds, with a golden gate at the entrance. As an angel one will never go hungry, be tired, or be in pain. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”(Revelation 21:4).
This shows how Christians believe that heaven will be a peaceful paradise for them. As an Egyptian king, the gods themselves will worship Teti, and feasts, beer, and food areplentiful throughout. “…Your father Geb. He rejoices at your coming, Gives you his hands, Kisses you, caresses you”(_A Pyramid Text_, 37).
In order to guarantee eternal life, it is all about pleasing the gods. Throughout their life, an Egyptian must make many animal sacrifices to the gods in order to get their blessing. Priests and kings gave the gods adoration and praise, in hopes of order and control maintained throughout the empire (_Tignor_, 77).
Once dead, one must hopethat your fellow peers carried out the funeral and embalming process correctly. It was very meticulous and lasted very long. Organs were removed, the body was wrapped to help prevent decomposition, and jewels and comforts of home were placed in the casket. Once in the afterlife, Osiris, who weighed their heart, would judge them. “…Having given satisfaction to the Weary-Hearted” (_A Coffin Text_, 37).
In _The Coffin Text, the speaker describes doing four good deeds, done while within the dangers of the serpent-dragon. This could be closely likened to being tempted by the devil to do bad things. “I repeat to you the good deeds which my own heart did for me within the serpent-coil, in order to silence strife (A Coffin Text, _p38).
If everyone in Egypt was required to adhere to the lifestyle the speaker in _The Negative Confession claims to have lived, then life was very strict. The speaker claims to have not numerous things, all presumably unlawful or frowned upon by the gods. He states in multiple lines how he has not caused pain, tears, harm, death, or suffering to anyone, human or animal (unless sacrificed).
Treating the animals fairly must have been important because he states how he has not caught fish, snared birds, or deprived cattle. He also states how he has not mistreated any rivers or streams and “not quenched a needed fire”. The speaker also has not robbed, murdered or cheated anyone, nor blasphemed the gods, mistreated any temple, or discovered any of the secrets of the gods. He then repeatedly states he is pure and how evil cannot keep him from reaching the land of the gods and their followers (The Negative Confession, _39).
This writing gives a clear message as to what life must have been like as they constantly were trying to please the gods in order to survive their daily lives and then have the opportunity to go to a better place after death.
Both the gods the Egyptians worshipped and their practices evolved over time. “Over the centuries, the Egyptian gods evolved, combining often contradictory aspects into single deities who were represented by: animals and human figures that often had animal as well as divine attributes” (Tignor, 77).
Perhaps they changed their practices or beliefs based on what was working well at that time. For example, if sacrificing the best bull didn’t bring a blessing, but a lamb did bring something good, they would continue with serving up the lamb to the gods. Common people worshipped the gods sometimes in their own way, if getting to the temple was not possible. “Common Egyptian people frequented the many scattered local shrines, just as those of higher status visited the temples. There they prayed, made requests, and left offerings to the gods” (Tignor, 77).
The writings also show a movement from just the gods, to mentioning the people a little more with each one. They become more of a focal point rather then all about the kings and what their afterlife will be like. It progresses to the point of describing what a commoner will go through after his death and whether or not he will enter paradise.