Demons in Ancient Egypt

While much has been written on the topic of deities and the dead in Ancient Egypt, the systematic study of demons has only recently come to the fore of scholarly studies. Preliminary typologies based on surviving spells, prescriptions, and apotropaic devices suggests the theory that these hostile en...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religion compass
Main Author: Szpakowska, Kasia (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2009
In: Religion compass
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Summary:While much has been written on the topic of deities and the dead in Ancient Egypt, the systematic study of demons has only recently come to the fore of scholarly studies. Preliminary typologies based on surviving spells, prescriptions, and apotropaic devices suggests the theory that these hostile entities were divided into sub-types in the Egyptian worldview, distinguished from each other by the specific illnesses and conditions they caused, and as well as by the prescribed means of repulsion and protection. Along with hostile demons, a related category of benevolent genii can be discerned. This paper presents an overview of demons and genii in Pharaonic Egypt based primarily on sources from the Middle Kingdom through the New Kingdom.
ISSN:1749-8171
Contains:Enthalten in: Religion compass
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2009.00169.x