Pharaoh: Life and Afterlife of a God by David Kennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Focusing on the time during the reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II, this book specifically begins when Seti I passes away in 1290 BC and Ramesses II is set to rule in his place. The book opens with describing the embalming ritual as it pertains to Seti I's physical body, and walks the reader through what the ancient Egyptians believed happened to his soul after his passing step by step, and how the people honor and mourn his death. Many other aspects of the ancient Egyptian culture are also discussed, from the lives of their clergy to their builders to their farmers. In particular, the tombs of the Pharaohs are seen as particularly noteworthy. Their trades, imports and exports, and military are also delved into in a broad sense to give a wonderful overview of the area. Each page has many beautiful acrylic paintings, realistic and eye-catching. Some are reproductions of ancient Egyptian artifacts and hieroglyphics, and many show people at work in the fields or on famous tombs and other buildings. At the end of the book there is a glossary of terms that might be unfamiliar to the reader, and an index. As an overview of ancient Egyptian culture, this is highly recommended for grades 3-6, and is worth picking up for the art alone for those people who might be older and already familiar with ancient Egyptian culture.
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