Death and Immortality in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia



Death and Immortality in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia

Introduction

History of mankind reveals that there are various ancient civilizations which have major contribution in the development and advancement of modern civilization. There are a number of different ways in which these greatest human civilizations served to bring advancements in the political and cultural system. Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia were two of these most important civilizations which have major contribution in the history. There are various similarities and differences in these two civilizations. There are various similarities and differences in their culture, beliefs and practices. Both these great civilizations existed around 5000-6000 BC. This is the reason that their religious beliefs also contain various similarities, but despite all these factors, similarities and close cultural aspects of both civilizations, there are major differences between their beliefs about death, after life and immortality.

These differences in their concepts of death and life after death can be revealed from their literary evidences and religious materials and books they kept for keeping records of their procedures and accounts of dead people. Therefore, this study reflects the differences between concepts of death and after life based on the understanding of the papyrus of Ani and the epic of Gilgamesh. It assists in understanding the real concept of death and immortality and teaches lesson for the true concept of death and immortality.

Discussion

Concept of Death and Afterlife in Egypt

In ancient Egyptian civilization there is a very strong belief about the life after death and especially about their Kings, the Pharaohs. This is the reason that there are a number of different aspects associated with the life after and death and due to this reason they preserve dead bodies along with the belongings of that person (Budge, 2007, pp. 45). Their beliefs and concepts of life after death are properly recorded in their book of dead, which reveals that they provide their dead ones with all the necessities of life such as food, weapons, clothes and different other stuffs. This is the reason that Egyptians invent scientific methods for preservation of dead bodies “mummies”.

Papyrus of Ani

It is a common belief associated with Egyptians concept of life after death they always keep a book with their dead ones. This book is called the Papyrus of Ani, “book of dead”. This book contains all their spells and other instructions for bringing them again to life (Budge, 2007, pp. 44). This book contains various illustrations and descriptions with pictures, symbols and other details about the matters associated with death and afterlife. This book clearly explains the concepts associated with all concern of the dead. In ancient Egypt there are two most important concepts associated with the life after death. One is defined as “ka” and other one is “ba” (Budge, 2007, pp. 45). Ka is associated with the element of double it does not include the person itself. It is also a part that belongs to the person, but in the detached ...