The Egyptian Heaven and Hell

Budge's work is described as the outcome of two lectures on the Books of the Tuat delivered at the Royal Institution in the spring of 1904. Budge states the object of all Books of the Other World was to provide the dead with a "Guide" describing the regions their souls pass through and supplying words of power for the journey. He notes that for two thousand years these Books consisted of texts only, but about B.C. 2500 funeral artists began illustrating them, and by the end of the XIXth Dynasty all principal Tuat books were illustrated. Budge explains that each great city once possessed its own Other World, and that the cult of Osiris became popular in the Dynastic Period. He lists the principal Books of the Underworld under the XVIIIth and XIXth Dynasties: PER-EM-HRU, SHAT ENT AM TUAT, and the "Book of Gates." He describes the Book Am-Tuat as drawn up by the priests of Amen-Ra at Thebes to demonstrate Amen-Ra's overlordship. Budge outlines beliefs about the beatified feeding on heavenly wheat from the body of Osiris, and the wicked being hacked to pieces and consumed by fire, noting the Egyptians had no belief in a purgatory. He states his object is to give complete hieroglyphic texts of the Book Am-Tuat and Book of Gates with illustrations and translations, describing his sources including editions of the tomb of Seti I and Bonomi's Sarcophagus. He cites earlier translations by Maspero, Jéquier, and Lefébure, and signs the preface "London, October, 1905." The Contents lists Chapters I through XIV, and a List of Illustrations follows.

Chapter I states that Dynastic Egyptians held definite ideas about the abode of departed spirits and illustrated them copiously, and that these beliefs must be collected from Books of the Dead in chronological order, the texts being older than their illustrations. The oldest Books of the Dead, inscribed in the pyramids of Unas, Teta, Pepi I, Mer-en-Ra, and Pepi II, bear no illustrations. Maspero is cited on the antiquity of the pyramid texts, described as a compromise between native beliefs and the solar cult of the priests of Ra at Heliopolis under the IVth–VIth Dynasties. After the VIth Dynasty solar theology spread to Upper Egypt; the VIIth–VIIIth Memphite and IXth–Xth Herakleopolitan kings ruled weakly until the Theban princes prevailed. Menthu-hetep II reopened quarries; Menthu-hetep III built a pyramid at Tchesert (Der al-Bahari), excavated by Naville and Hall. The coffin of Amamu and the Al-Barsha coffins carry the oldest illustrated sections, including the "Book of Two Ways," whose magical rubrics promise union with women and life among the living. Wooden coffins replaced stone sarcophagi. After Amen-em-hat III confusion followed until Seqenen-Ra III and Aahmes I expelled the Hyksos. Under the XVIIIth Dynasty the cult of Amen at Karnak rose; Amen-hetep I founded the College of priests. The Theban Recension, Per em hru, served followers of Osiris, while followers of Amen-Ra sought the Boat of Millions of Years. Royal tombs at Biban al-Muluk bear the Book Am-Tuat. Thothmes III, Amen-hetep III, and Seti I retained Osirian texts; Seti I inscribed the Book of Gates, which gives prominence to the Judgment where Osiris judges the dead—the righteous receive land, the wicked are slain, their bodies cut in pieces and souls destroyed. Seti I relied on both schools, providing amulets, ushabtiu, and formulae.

Chapter II opens by stating that the Predynastic form of the Other World cannot be reconstructed, and that Early Empire documents provide the deceased with meat, drink, wives, concubines, and a place in Sekhet-Aaru, a division of Sekhet-hetepet. The earliest pictures are on the Al-Barsha coffins. From the Papyrus of Nu comes a vignette of the Seven Arits, each with a Gatekeeper, Watcher, and Herald, whose names are listed. The same papyrus gives twenty-one Secret Gates of the House of Osiris; Chapter CXLVI names each Gate and each Gatekeeper up to No. X, all listed. The author notes the Gate-names functioned as magical formulae rather than requiring virtue. Sekhet-Hetepet also possessed Fourteen or Fifteen Aats, each ruled by a god, named from the Papyrus of Nu, including regions of fire, roaring water, the serpent Rerek, and the "Destroyer of Souls." The Aats are said to run south to north. From the Papyrus of Nebseni, Sekhet-hetep is rectangular with canals and pools; the deceased offers incense and addresses a bearded figure. The Papyrus of Ani differs in details. The Nebseni text has the deceased sailing the Lake of Hetep, praying to the god Hetep, and listing pools he wishes to visit. In the Papyrus of Ani's Judgment Scene, Ani's heart is weighed against righteousness; Anubis guards the Balance, Thoth registers and announces the balanced result, the gods accept it, spare Ani from Amemet, and grant him a homestead. Horus, son of Isis, leads Ani before Osiris. The author discusses righteousness versus repentance. Pictures of Sekhet-hetepet from the coffins of Kua-Tep and Sen, and the papyri of Anhai and Auf-ankh, are described as showing modifications.

The chapter opens by considering how far souls in Sekhet-hetep could recognize each other and enjoy intercourse with relatives and friends. It cites the Papyrus of Ani, showing Ani accompanied by his wife, and the Papyrus of Anhai, showing Anhai bowing before her mummied father and mother and seated beside her husband. The Papyrus of Nebseni places the meeting of the deceased with mother, father, and wife on the island Qenqentet. Further passages from the PER-EM-HRU (Chapters LII, CLXXXIX, LXVIII) show the deceased wishing to manage his fields in Tattu and Aunu, to have his ancestors, father, and mother as door-guardians, and to master waters, canal, river, furrows, and the men and women who work for him. Budge discusses the word abtu ("ancestors"). He then presents a Chapter published by M. Lacau from two XIth-Dynasty coffins from Al-Barsha. Titled "The Gathering Together of the Ancestors of a Man to Him in Neter Kher," it invokes Ra, Tem, Seb, and Nut to grant Sepa passage to meet his ancestors, father, mother, sons, daughters, brethren, sisters, friends, foster-parents, kinsfolk, workers, and beloved concubine. Qema-ur is asked to rejoin Sepa with these. The text warns that if his reunion is hindered, funeral offerings shall cease and Ra's heart be removed; if he succeeds, offerings shall be made and the Boat of Ra shall journey. Hathor surrounds Sepa with protection, Seb equips him, and his sister-wife, guardian of the wood of the Great Field, promises food and winds. The ancestors come armed with staves and mattocks to defend him. A Rubric follows, to be recited millions of times. Budge closes noting Osiris is absent and describes the primitive heaven the Egyptian expected.

The chapter opens by defining "AM-TUAT," or SHAT AM-TUAT, the "Book of what is in the Tuat," the funeral book in which the priests of Amen describe the Other World and the passage of Amen-Ra through the night. Its objects were to assert Amen's supremacy over the dead and to serve as a guide for the faithful. Because the book was lengthy and poor folk lacked large tombs, priests compiled a shortened "Summary of Am-Tuat," omitting the speeches of Amen-Ra and the gods' answers and all pictures. The oldest copies appear in the tombs of Thothmes III, Amen-hetep II, and Amen-hetep III; the fullest is in the tomb of Seti I, published by Lefébure with Bouriant, Loret, and Naville, and translated by Maspero. The next fullest is in the tomb of Rameses VI. The text describes how the book was copied on walls, sarcophagi, and papyri, noting Rameses III's granite sarcophagus and other named sarcophagi, and lists which divisions appear on various papyri. The text then introduces the BOOK OF GATES, which deals with the Sun-god's passage but was compiled to prove Osiris remained over-lord of the Underworld; its fullest copy is on Seti I's alabaster sarcophagus. It discusses the region "Tat," "Tuat," or "Tuaut," its situation, shape (circular, shown by Osiris bent in a circle), its river, and how souls entered it. It explains how Osiris, Ra, and man all needed words of power, which Horus learned from Isis, who learned from Thoth. The Tuat's twelve divisions and the two solar boats, Matet and Sektet, are described. The chapter closes with tabulated names, warders, and hour-goddesses of the twelve divisions per the Book Am-Tuat, and the serpents and gates per the Book of Gates.

Chapter V compares the Book Am-Tuat and the Book of Gates, describing the western vestibule of the Tuat. The reader is positioned as a disembodied spirit awaiting the Boat of the Sun-God after funeral rites, passing through the tomb to the region west of the mountain MANU. Gathered spirits, some equipped and some not, await passage; the ill-provided remain until slain. The dead are revivified daily by the Sun-god's light and wail when the Gate closes. At evening the Sun-god in the SEKTET BOAT floods the First Division, called NET-RA. Ra transforms into a ram-headed man named AF or AFU; the boat carries AFU-RA with seven gods and a goddess, including AP-UAT, KA-SHU, HERU-HEKENU, SA, and HU. A smaller boat bearing a beetle and KHEPER-EN-ASAR accompanies it. AFU-RA calls upon the gods for light; they bid him enter where OSIRIS KHENTI-AMENTI dwells. The dead left behind wail. The Book of Gates depicts the same Division differently, with SA and HEKA, sceptres supported by TAT and SET. Chapter VI: AFU-Ra enters URNES under the goddess SHESAT-MAKET-NEB-S. He addresses the BAIU-TUATIU, who welcome him and beg him to slay the serpents HAU and NEHA-HRA; they promise that those who guide his boat shall destroy APEP and that Osiris shall avenge him. He rests in SEKHET-EN-PERTIU. Gods on the banks give seasons and offerings; they lament when he departs. In the Book of Gates, the Boat passes the serpent SAA-SET; MEHEN envelops the shrine. AFU-RA weighs words and deeds, assigning thrones and dismissing the damned, acting as judge. The HETEPTIU and MAATIU stand right; the bound STAU, including the ENENIU, stand left, condemned by TEMU.

The Boat of Afu-Ra leaves the Souls of the Tuat and enters the abode of the Baiu-Shetaiu; the goddess Tent-Baiu takes charge, a hawk-headed god steers, and four gods remain. In the region Net-Neb-Ua-Kheper-Aut lies the House of Tet. Three mystical boats precede the Boat; four forms of Osiris face them with covered arms. Afu-Ra cries out to Osiris, who creates and sends the secret boats. The banks hold the Pertiu, who serve Osiris. On the right, twenty-six gods under Khetra hew souls and burn the doomed. On the left, deities who shared Osiris's burial sing praises, weep, and take vengeance on Seba, make Nu, and cause Hapi to flow. In the Book of Gates version, Afu-Ra passes the Gate Septet-Uauau (serpent Aqebi); at Sa's word it opens. The eight Faiu-Neteru bear the "Boat of the Earth," on which seven Neteru-Amiu sit; Afu-Ra addresses them and Ennurkha-Ta reply. Twelve holy gods in shrines guarded by the serpent Seti weep until Afu-Ra opens their doors. Twelve gods sit in the Lake of Boiling Water; they entreat Afu-Ra, who decrees their food. On the left, nine men and nine gods under Temu; the serpent Apep, which tried to envelop the boat, is cut by the Tchatcha and destroyed by Temu. The nine Nebu-Khert repulse Seba, Af, and Apep. As Afu-Ra departs, both companies lament. In Chapter VIII, the Boat enters Seker's kingdom, a dark barren desert with monster serpents. Lacking a river, Afu-Ra travels the corridor Re-Stau through doors, in a two-headed-serpent boat drawn by four gods. Anubis leads hidden gods; Thoth and Horus bear the Eye identified with Sekri. Serpents flank him, including three-headed Menmenut, whose face lights Khepera's birth-chamber; fourteen heads fill the Eye.

In the Fifth Division (Book Am-Tuat), called Ament, the Boat of AFU-RA is towed by seven gods and seven goddesses, preceded by gods led by Isis, AFU-RA continuing by the help of KHEPERA. The Land of Seker, an ellipse walled with sand, rests on two man-headed sphinxes called AF. Seker appears as a hawk-headed man between wings on a two-headed serpent. The Beetle of KHEPERA leaves the goddess of the pyramid's apex, revivifies AFU-RA, who reaches RE-STAU's end and the Morning Star. The serpent TEPAN presents offerings; ANKHAAPAU guards. The lake NETU boils beings in AMMAHET. To the left, eight gods (HETEP-NETERU) and the goddess QETET-TENT destroy and consume the dead. In the Fourth Division (Book of Gates), four gods tow AFU-RA past the serpent TCHETBI. Nine sepulchres hold mummied gods; the serpent HERERET spawns twelve serpents consumed by twelve Hour-goddesses. AFU-RA visits ARES's habitations. HERU-UR addresses the shrined KHENTI-AMENTI; AFU-RA calls on Horus to cast enemies into four fiery pits. In the Fifth Division (Book of Gates), the serpent TEKA-HRA opens the gate; AFU-RA orders ENNUTCHI destroyed and the righteous seated in peace. The four nations RETH, NEHESU, THEMEHU, AAMU appear; the TCHATCHAU write edicts. In the Sixth Division (Book Am-Tuat), Kingdom of Osiris, AFU-RA paddles past forms of Osiris and four classes (SUTENIU, BATIU, HETEPTIU, KHU), entreating them to hack APEP. The five-headed serpent ASHT-HRAU bears the dead Sun-god drawing the Beetle. On the right: gods, goddesses, sceptres, a lion, the two Eyes of Horus, three deities, and three sepulchres with fire-belching serpents. On the left: eight gods and four goddesses escort the Boat; the serpent AM-KHU, from whose back spring the heads of the Four Children of Horus, coming into being when they hear the voice of AFU-RA; four Osiris forms and nine knife-armed serpents.

The Seventh Division of the Tuat (Book Am-Tuat) is named THEPHET-SHETAT, its Gate RUTI-ASAR, its Hour-goddess KHEFTES-HAU-HESQ-NEHA-HRA. AFU-RA travels the secret path with his face turned, joined by Isis and SER, standing beneath a canopy formed by the serpent MEHEN. His way is blocked by the serpent NEHA-HRA; the region TCHAU is described, the serpent's head and tail fettered by SERQET and HER-TESU-F. AFU-RA passes four goddesses and four tombs holding the Forms of TEM, KHEPERA, RA, and OSIRIS. HORUS and twelve hour-gods, then twelve hour-goddesses, the Crocodile ABSHE-AM-TUAT over Osiris's tomb, and gods including MEHEN, AFU-ASAR, ANKU, the LYNX-GODDESS, and AFU-TEM appear. The Eighth Division, TEBAT-NETERU-S, holds the Four Forms of TATHENEN; Isis and SER are gone, the Boat is towed. Nine SHEMSU and Four Rams lead; Circles on right and left are named, and the sounds their gods make are listed. The Ninth Division, BEST-ARU-ANKHET-KHEPERU, moves without towing; twelve sailor-gods paddle and scatter water, HETEP-NETERU-TUAT provides food, twelve uraei give fire, nine field-labourers under HERU-HER-SHE-TUAT, and the TCHATCHA gods and twelve goddesses avenge and praise Osiris. Chapter XI presents the Sixth Division (Book of Gates), Gate NEBT-AHA, guarded by SET-EM-MAAT-F. The Judgment Hall of Osiris is described: Osiris enthroned, THOTH as balance-standard, ANUBIS addressing THOTH, a pig AM-A beaten by an ape. AFU-RA passes sceptres of SEB with tied enemies, MAATI and HETEPTIU gods, and gods tending and reaping wheat, the members of Osiris. The Seventh Division (Book of Gates), Gate PESTIT guarded by AKHA-EN-MAAT: twenty-four gods, KHERU-METAUH repulsing the serpent SEBA, star-gods binding QAN, TUATI rousing mummies on the serpent NEHEP, and gods by a lake of fire.

The Boat of AFU-RA passes the Gate of Bekhkhi, guarded by the serpent SET-HRA, and is towed over the Eighth Division. At the Lake of Nu stands the god "who dwelleth in Nu"; four groups—Bathers, Floaters, Swimmers, Divers—are in the water. The towing gods call the dwellers to praise Ra's soul and body; the god who dwelleth in Nu bids the beings pay homage to Ra, promising breath and food. Twelve TCHATCHA and nine SOULS adore a god; the TCHATCHA distribute allotted food. HORUS THE AGED addresses twelve bound enemies of Osiris before the fire-belching serpent KHETI. In the Tenth Division (METCHET-QAT-UTCHEBU), the Boat moves unaided past the serpents THES-HRAU (bearing HERU-KHENTI) and ANKH-TA, twelve armed gods, twelve lakes where Horus addresses swimmers, four light-shedding goddesses, P-ANKHI, the beetle KHEPER-ANKH, serpents Menenui, goddesses NETHETH and KENAT, and eight goddesses before the Ape-god AF-ERMEN-MAAT-F holding the Eye of Horus. In the Eleventh Division (RE-EN-QERERT-APT-KHATU), twelve gods tow using the serpent MEHEN; White and Red Crowns, four forms of NEITH, APER-HRA-NEB-TCHETTA, TEMU, and the Star-god SHETU appear. Horus, with SET-HEH, directs the burning of Ra's enemies in five pits of fire. The text discusses the end of the Tuat and Osiris judging souls at midnight. In the Ninth Division (Book of Gates), the Gate AAT-SHEFSHEFT is guarded by AB-TA; four gods tow the Boat. The serpent APEP and crocodile SESHSESH/SESSI block the way; men, apes, and goddesses with nets and spells slay them. The serpent KHEPRI bears HORUS OF THE TUAT, hauled by Eight Powers; HERU-AM-UAA, HORUS-SET, ANA, crown-columns, and serpents SHEMTI, BATA, and TEPI follow.

In the Tenth Division of the Book of Gates, AFU-RA enters through the Gate TCHESERIT, guarded by the serpent SETHU, and the Sun-god's reconstitution occurs. UNTI lights the upper heaven; four flame-deities give light; three star-gods draw a small boat holding a face for ATEN; the serpent SEMI guides; BESI collects fire; ANKHI decrees the new Sun's life; four goddesses cry "Enter in, O Ra!"; the MEHEN serpent bearing HORUS-SET leads the god eastward. On the right are twelve AKHEMU-SEKU gods and twelve towing goddesses; on the left the serpent APEP is fettered by the Four SETEFIU, Twelve TCHATIU, and the hand AMEN-KHAT, attached to five serpents at KHENTI-AMENTI's feet, with Seb, the four children, and SERQ nearby, while the ANTIU and HENATIU gods attack APEP. In the Eleventh Division (Gate SHETAT-BESU, serpent AM-NETU-F), AFU-RA is towed by four gods; APEP lies fettered; four apes hold the Disk; the goddesses AMENTET and HERIT and the god SEBEKHTI appear, with the guardian MATI and a crocodile-headed god. This division holds no place of punishment; AFU-RA becomes KHEPERA. In the Twelfth Division of Am-Tuat, twelve amakhiu draw AFU-RA through the serpent ANKH-NETERU, transforming him into Khepera; twelve goddesses tow him to SHU, who sets the new Sun-god in the wall; the mummified form is cast aside. Twelve fire-serpent goddesses and twelve praising gods appear, then twenty-three gods, including SENMEKHEF. The Sun-god bids farewell to Osiris. In the Book of Gates' final section, AFU-RA as KHEPERA passes the Gate TESERT-BAIU into Nu's waters; NUT receives the Disk; the disk crosses the mountain gap as dawn breaks and the blessed rise.