The Pyramid Texts
The oldest large body of religious writing from Egypt, carved inside a king's pyramid.
The Pyramid Texts are the earliest large body of religious writing from Egypt: spells carved on the inner walls of royal pyramids at the end of the Old Kingdom to help the dead king rise to join the gods and the stars. They are concerned above all with the king's transformation and ascent. Later, their ideas filtered down into the Coffin Texts and Book of the Dead used by non-royals.
How it traveled
- The Pyramid TextsSaqqara · -2350explains
Key passages(2)
The Pyramid Texts · 2350 BCE
[Utterance 1] 1a. To say by Nut, the brilliant, the great: This is (my) son, (my) first born, N., opener of (my) womb; 1b. this is (my) beloved, with whom I have been satisfied. [Utterance 2] 1c. To s
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The Pyramid Texts · 2350 BCE
[Utterance 375] 660a. To say: N. is he whom TW will protect; N. is he whom Tšii will deliver. 660b. Bring thy message, messenger of Tšii; bring thy message while it is fresh, messenger of Tšii. 660c.
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