Interests

Ancient Egypt at Howard University
Egyptian Mythology
Ann Macy Roth
Department of Classics

The course in Egyptian Mythology offered at Howard University developed out of the Classical Mythology course that has long been taught here. It focuses on the use of original texts, translated from the Egyptian, to investigate the religious and philosophical beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. By studying such texts, and using them to evaluate and critique interpretations by various Egyptological scholars, students become familiar both with a religion that is (in most cases) very different from their own, and with the pitfalls and pleasures of interpreting ancient texts. The course fulfills the Division A requirement and is offered every semester.

Syllabus (Spring 1999)

C L A S S I C A L M Y T H O L O G Y O F E G Y P T

005-109-04: T-Th 9:40 - 11:00; Locke Hall 208
005-109-05: T-Th 11:10 - 12:30; Locke Hall 244 (You are free to attend either section.)

Dr. Ann Macy Roth, Department of Classics
Office: Locke Hall 266; 806-5221 - e-mail: amroth@ix.netcom.com
Office Hours: T-Th 9:30-11; by appointment only on Tuesday after 3:30 and on Wednesdays

B. E. Shafer, ed. Religion in Ancient Egypt
S. Quirke, Ancient Egyptian Religion
W. K. Simpson, ed., The Literature of Ancient Egypt
M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature III
Handouts

Four quizzes: 30% of grade
Final: 30% of grade (Wednesday, April 28, noon-2 pm)
Three writing assignments 30% of grade
Best of above grades will be weighted an extra 10%

Unexcused late papers and make-up exams will be marked down 10-20 points
No late work will be accepted after the final

-- Familiarity with myths of ancient Egypt and other texts about religion and the gods
-- Understanding of beliefs and practices in a polytheistic religion
-- Proper use and evaluation of primary and secondary source materials

Week 2: Orientation/Framework of Egyptian History
1/12 - Overview of course
1/14 - Quirke 7-19; Shafer 1-6

Week 3: Egyptian geography and people/Egyptian language and writing
1/19- Shafer 7-12
1/21- Shafer 7-12; Simpson: Introduction; Lichtheim: 3-10

Week 4: The gods and the pantheon
1/26- Shafer 12-30
1/28 - Isis and the Secret Name (handout)

Week 5: Syncretism, specialization, and the limits on divine power
2/2 - Shafer 30-58
2/4 - Hymns: Lichtheim: 104-115; Simpson: 345-6

Week 6: Gods in Egypt and Abroad
2/9 - The Shipwrecked Sailor: Simpson 50-56
2/11 - QUIZ 1; Quirke 173-85; Astarte and the Insatiable Sea: Simpson 133-36

Week 7: Existence, Non-existence, and Cosmogony
2/16 - Quirke 21-51
2/18- ESSAY 1 DUE; Creation Myths: Shafer 88-115

Week 8: Human Beings and the Cosmos
2/23 - The Teachings for Merikare: Simpson 189-92
The Destruction of Mankind/The Divine Cow: Shafer 110-11/handout
2/25 - Shafer 116-122

Week 9: Temple as Cosmos/Kingship
3/2 - Quirke 70-89; Autobiographies of Temple Benefactors: Lichtheim 33-41
3/4 - QUIZ 2; Quirke 89-103; Shafer 58-87; Royal Inscriptions: Lichtheim: 66-89

Week 10: Isis, Osiris, and Horus
3/9 - The Contendings of Horus and Seth: Simpson 108-26
3/11 - Quirke 52-69; Plutarch's Isis and Osiris: handout;
Lamentations of Isis and Nepthys: Lichtheim 116-121

Week 11: Fertility
3/16 - ESSAY 2 DUE; Quirke 105-112
3/18 - The Tale of Two Brothers: Simpson 92-107

Week 12: Women/Magic I
3/29 - Tales for the Eye of the Sun: Handout and Lichtheim 156-159;
Love Poems: Simpson 296-326; Lichtheim 107-109
4/1 - QUIZ 3; Quirke 112-139; Cheops and the Magicians: Simpson 15-30

Week 13: Magic II/Fate/The soul and its needs
4/6 - Shafer 123-64; Setne I & IIb: Lichtheim 125-138 and 142-151
4/8 - The Doomed Prince: Simpson 85-91; The Man Who Was Tired of Life: Simpson 201-09

Week 14: Mortuary Texts, Tombs and Mummies
4/13 - Shafer 164-200; Pyramid Texts: Simpson 269-78; Setne IIa: Lichtheim 138-142
4/15 - ESSAY 3 DUE; Quirke 141-170; A Ghost Story: Simpson 137-41; The Harper's Song:
Simpson 306-07

FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, April 28, 1999; 12-2 pm; place to be announced
Senior Final will be held in Week 15; time and place to be announced