![]() The 'Book of the Dead' is not a single book, like the Bible or the Koran. The protestation of innocence, or 'Negative Confessions', combined with the magic of knowing the correct names and the origins of the 42 Assessor Gods, or judges, would persuade them not to press with any accusations that might ruin the chance of perfect, eternal life in the 'House of Reeds'. The negative confessions, or 'Declaration of Innocence', consisted of denials such as "I have not killed, I have not robbed, "I have not cheated" and I have not lied". Success allowed for entry into the 'House of Reeds' (the Egyptian paradise).įailure to persuade the 42 'Assessor Gods' that they had lived a life without sin, to answer questions correctly, or use the appropriate responses would result in this part of the soul being given to the goddess Ammit the "soul-eater", preventing all elements of the soul being united. The 'spells' numbered 125 and 126 contained in the 'Book of the Dead' explained the correct words to use persuade each of the 42 'Assessor Gods' or judges that they had committed no evil nor transgressed any laws. each of the gods required a 'Declaration of Innocence' from specific crimes and wrong doings.Įach of the 42 'Assessor Gods', or judges, required a 'Declaration of Innocence' or 'Negative Confessions' from specific crimes and offences. The soul entered the Hall of Judgement, called the Hall of Double Justice or the Hall of the Two Truths where the earthly life was examined by 42 'Assessor Gods' or judges. ![]() The Ba was the part of the soul represented by a bird with a human head, depicted in pictures called vignettes in different versions of the Book of the Dead. The part of the souls called the Ka was the life-force, the double and spiritual essence of the person, the Ba was the roaming physical essence of the soul and the Akhu was a divine spark that emerged when the Ka and Ba were united. The ancient Egyptians believed that the soul consisted of different entities including the Ka, Ba and Akhu. The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead was a protective 'Guide to the Afterlife' that included text providing the correct ways to address the 42 gods of the Underworld (Duat)
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