Ancient Egyptian afterlife – What was it like?

Summary

The video explores the ancient Egyptian concept of the afterlife, revealing its complexity and diversity. There was no single belief about the afterlife, but two major ideas stand out: one where individuals live among the gods, traveling with the Sun God through the sky, and another where they experience an enhanced version of rural life in the 'Field of Reeds,' a paradise ruled by Osiris. The Egyptians meticulously prepared for the afterlife, often with figurines representing workers to avoid physical labor. The video invites viewers to reflect on which version of the afterlife they would prefer to live in forever.

Takeaways

• 😀 The ancient Egyptians had diverse beliefs about the afterlife, with no single, universally accepted idea.
• 😀 Some beliefs held that the afterlife involved living among the gods in the sky, especially popular for kings.
• 😀 The Sun God’s boat was central to some afterlife concepts, as it traveled through the sky during the day and through the underworld at night.
• 😀 Another view of the afterlife was an improved version of earthly life, known as the 'Field of Reeds', where individuals could continue their earthly experiences forever.
• 😀 The 'Field of Reeds' afterlife was ruled by Osiris and involved reunions with loved ones and continued enjoyment of life’s pleasures.
• 😀 Egyptians included figurines in their burials to help with work in the afterlife, ensuring a comfortable existence.
• 😀 Egyptians viewed the afterlife as a form of immortality, not focused on death but on the ability to live on forever.
• 😀 Beliefs in the afterlife were flexible, allowing for the idea that people could be in multiple realms at once, such as with the gods or in the Field of Reeds.
• 😀 The afterlife could also involve physical labor, which is why Egyptians planned ahead by including figurines to act as workers.
• 😀 Ancient Egyptians did not have a singular interpretation of afterlife concepts, with ideas evolving over time and in different regions.
• 😀 Preparation for the afterlife was an extensive effort, with the goal of ensuring a smooth and prosperous eternal existence, reflecting the importance of life beyond death.

Q & A

What was the primary purpose of the ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs?

The primary purpose was not to obsess over death, but rather to overcome it and live on forever in the afterlife.

Why did ancient Egyptians put so much effort into preparing for the afterlife?

Ancient Egyptians believed that preparing for the afterlife was crucial to achieving a positive and eternal existence, whether that meant living among the gods or in an ideal version of earthly life.

Did all ancient Egyptians have the same beliefs about the afterlife?

No, there was no single accepted idea of the afterlife in ancient Egypt. Different interpretations and beliefs existed across time and places.

What was one of the most common ideas of the afterlife for kings in ancient Egypt?

A common belief for kings was that the afterlife meant living among the gods, the Sun, and the stars, which included traveling with the Sun God through the sky and underworld.

What was the 'Field of Reeds' in ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs?

The 'Field of Reeds' was a version of the afterlife imagined as a paradise where people could live a better version of their earthly life, reuniting with family, enjoying pleasures, and even working to improve their afterlife.

How did the ancient Egyptians avoid physical labor in the afterlife?

They often included small figurines, called shabtis, in their burials, which were intended to take on any physical labor if needed in the afterlife.

What was the significance of the multiple parts of a person (BA, Kha, and Auch) in the afterlife?

The ancient Egyptians believed that a person’s soul had multiple parts that separated after death. This allowed a person to exist in multiple locations in the afterlife at the same time, such as being in the tomb, the Field of Reeds, and traveling with the Sun God.

What does the afterlife symbolize for ancient Egyptians?

The afterlife symbolized eternal life and the opportunity to continue living in a meaningful and fulfilling way, whether among gods or in an improved earthly existence.

Could the afterlife be seen as a form of paradise in ancient Egypt?

Yes, one version of the afterlife was seen as a paradise, particularly the Field of Reeds, where people could enjoy a life similar to their earthly existence but without hardships.

What was the role of Osiris in the afterlife?

Osiris was the god who ruled the Field of Reeds, where souls could enjoy eternal life. He was central to the vision of the afterlife as a place of reunion and tranquility.