Life after Life: In the Quest for Eternity, Death is Only the Beginning – Part I
The ancient Egyptians took great care to prepare for the Afterlife. In fact, they were so meticulous about getting every minute detail in order, that to us they come across as having been obsessed with death. But this is far from the truth; for, they were a practical people who prepared well to encounter all manner of surprises their souls would confront whilst journeying through the Underworld. The Book of the Dead was an invaluable guidebook in their quest to spend eternity in Paradise.
Nespawershefyt (Nes-Amun), a high-ranking official in the temple of Amun at Karnak (Ca. 990-940 BC), was buried in one of the finest coffin sets of its type. It is painted with various scenes and spells from the Book of the Dead. Sadly, Nes-Amun's body has never been found. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
PREPARING FOR HEREAFTER
Merely being alive meant little if one did not aspire to lead a life of honor by upholding the virtues of integrity, discipline, dignity and grace. This immaculate philosophy is echoed in a pithy saying on the stela of an official named Mentuhotep: “The monument of a man is his goodness”. However, this was not a call for austerity or a frugal lifestyle, as the Harper's Song from the tomb of pharaoh Intef (Middle Kingdom) reveals:
