Chapter LII. of the Book of the Dead, which was

composed with the idea of the deceased, from lack of
proper food in the underworld, being obliged to eat
filth,1 and with the object of preventing such an awful

1 This idea is a survival of prehistoric times, when it was thought
that if the proper sepulchral meals were not deposited at regular

I $4 THE FOOD OF THE DECEASED.

thing, the deceased says : “ That which is an abomina¬
tion unto me, that which is an abomination unto me,
let me not eat. That which is an abomination unto
me, that which is an abomination unto me, is filth ;
let me not be obliged to eat thereof in the place of the
sepulchral cakes which are offered unto the katj
(i.e., “ doubles ”). Let it not touch my body, let me
not be obliged to hold it in my hands ; and let me not
be compelled to tread thereon in my sandals.”

Some being or beings, probably the gods, then ask
him, “ What, now, wilt thou live upon in the presence
of the gods ? ” And he replies, “ Let food come to
me from the place of food, and let me live upon the
seven loaves of bread which shall be brought as food
before Horus, and upon the bread which is brought
before Thoth. And when the gods shall say unto me,

‘ What manner of food wouldst thou have given unto
thee ? ’ I will reply, ‘ Let me eat my food under the
sycamore tree of my lady, the goddess Hathor, and
let my times be among the divine beings who have
alighted thereon. Let me have the power to order
my own fields in Tattu (Busiris), and my own growing-
crops in Annu. Let me live upon bread made of
white grain, and let my beer be made from red grain,
and may the persons of my father and mother be

intervals where the ka, or “ double,” of the deceased could get at
them it would be obliged to wander about and pick up whatever it
might lind to eat upon its road.

LOCATION OF THE ELYSIAN FIELDS. 1 85

given unto me as guardians of my door, and for the
ordering of my homestead. Let me be sound and
strong, and let me have much room wherein to move,
and let me be able to sit wheresoever I please.’’

This Chapter is most important as showing that the
deceased wished to have his homestead and its fields
situated in Tattu, that is to say, near the capital of
the Busirite or IXth nome of Lower Egypt, a district
not far from the city of Semennud (i.e., Sebennytus)
and lying a little to the south of the thirty-first parallel
of latitude. It was here that the reconstitution of the
dismembered body of Osiris took place, and it was
here that the solemn ceremony of setting up the
backbone of Osiris was performed each year. The
original Sekhet-Aaru was evidently placed here, and
we are therefore right in assuming that the fertile
fields of this part of the Delta formed the prototype
of the Elysian Fields of the Egyptian. At the same
time he also wished to reap crops on the fields round
about Heliopolis, the seat of the greatest and most
ancient shrine of the Sun-god. The white grain of
which he would have his bread made is the ordinary
dhura, and the red grain is the red species of the same
plant, which is not so coifTmon as the white. As
keepers of the door of his estate the deceased asks for
the “ forms (or persons) of his father and his mother;’
and thus we see a desire on the part of the Egyptian
to continue the family life which he began upon earth ;

1 86 THE DEAD RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER.

it goes almost without saying that he would not ask
this thing if he thought there would be no prospect
of knowing his parents in the next world. An interest¬
ing proof of this is afforded by the picture of the
Sekhet-Aaru, or Elysian Fields, which is given in the
Papyrus of Anhai,1 a priestess of Amen who lived
probably about B.c. 1000. Here we see the deceased
entering into the topmost section of the district and
addressing two divine persons ; above one of these
are written the words “ her mother,” followed by the
name Neferitu. The form which comes next is pro¬
bably that of her father, and thus we are sure that
the Egyptians believed they would meet their rela¬
tives in the next world and know and be known
by them.

Accompanying the picture of the Elysian Fields is
a long text which forms Chapter CX. of the Book
of the Dead. As it supplies a great deal of information
concerning the views held in early times about that
region, and throws so much light upon the semi¬
material life which the pious Egyptians, at one period
of their history, hoped to lead, a rendering of it is
here given. It is entitled, “The Chapters of Sekhet-
Hetepet, and the Chapters of Coming Forth by Day ;
of going into and of coming forth from the underworld ;
of coming to Sekhet-Aaru ; of being in Sekhet-Hetepet,
the mighty land, the lady of winds ; of having power

Brit. Mus., No. 10,472.

Anhui bowing before her father and mother.

The Elysian Fields. From the Papyrus of Anhai (XXlIud dynasty).

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

189

there ; of becoming a spirit (khu) there ; of reaping
there ; of eating there ; of drinking there ; of making
love there ; and of doing everything even as a man
doeth upon the earth.” The deceased says : —

“ Set hath seized Horus, who looked with the two
eyes1 upon the building (?) round Sekhet-hetep, but
I have released Horus [and taken him from] Set, and
Set hath opened the path of the two eyes [which are]
in heaven. Set hath cast (?) his moisture to the winds
upon the soul that hath his day, and that dwelleth
in the city of Mert, and he hath delivered the interior
of the body of Horus from the gods of Akert.

“Behold me now, for I make this mighty boat to
travel over the Lake of Hetep, and I brought it away
with might from the palace of Shu ; the domain of his
stars groweth young and reneweth the strength which
it had of old. I have brought the boat into the lakes
thereof, so that I may come forth into the cities thereof,
and I have sailed into their divine city Hetep. And
behold, it is because I, even I, am at peace with his
seasons, and with his direction, and with his territory,
and with the company of the gods who are his first¬
born. He maketh Horus and Set to be at peace with
those who watch over the living ones whom he hath
created in fair form, and he bringeth peace ; he maketh
Horus and Set to be at peace with those who watch
over them. He cuttetli off the hair from Horus and

1 I.e.y the Eye of Ra and the Eye of Horus.

190 THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

Set, he driveth away storm from the helpless, and
he keepeth away harm from the spirits (khu). Let
me have dominion within that field, for I know it,
and I have sailed among its lakes so that I might
come into its cities. My mouth is firm,1 and I am
equipped to resist the spirits (khu), therefore they
shall not have dominion over me. Let me be rewarded
with thy fields, 0 thou god Hetep ; but that which
is thy wish do, 0 thou lord of the winds. May I
become a spirit therein, may I eat therein, may I
drink therein, may I plough therein, may I reap
therein, may I fight therein, may I make love therein,
may my words be mighty therein; may I never be
in a state of servitude therein ; but may I be in
authority therein. Thou hast made strong the mouth
(or door) and the throat (?) of Hetep ; Qetet-bu is his
name. He is stablished upon the pillars2 of Shu,
and is linked unto the pleasant things of Ea. He is
the divider of years, he is hidden of mouth, his mouth
is silent, that which he uttereth is secret, he fulfilleth
eternity and hath possession of everlasting existence
as Hetep, the lord Hetep.

“ The god Horus maketh himself to be strong like
unto the Hawk which is one thousand cubits in
length, and two thousand [cubits in width] in life ;

1 I.e., I know how to utter the words of power which I possess with
vigour.

2 I.e., the four pillars, one placed at each cardinal point, which
support the sky.

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

IQI

he hath equipments with him, and he journey eth on
and cometh where his heart’s throne wisheth to be in
the Pools [of Hetep] and in the cities thereof. He was
begotten in the birth-chamber of the god of the city,
offerings of the god of the city are made unto him,
he performeth that which it is meet to do therein, and
causeth the union thereof, and doeth everything which
appertaineth to the birth-chamber of the divine city.
When he setteth in life, like crystal, he performeth
everything therein, and the things which he doeth
are like unto the things which are done in the Lake
of Twofold Fire, wherein there is none that rejoiceth,
and wherein are all manner of evil things. The god
Hetep goeth in, and cometh out, and goeth backwards
[in] that Field which gathereth together all manner
of things for the birth-chamber of the god of the city.
When he setteth in life, like crystal, he performeth
all manner of things therein which are like unto the
things which are done in the Lake of Twofold Fire,
wherein there is none that rejoiceth, and wherein are
all manner of evil things.

“ Let me live with the god Hetep, clothed and
not plundered by the lords of the north, and let the
lord of divine things bring food unto me. Let him
make me to go forward, and let me come out, and
let him bring my power unto me there; let me
receive it, and let my equipment be from the god
Hetep. Let me gain the mastery over the great and

192

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

mighty word which is in my body in this place
wherein I am, for by means of it I will remember
and I will forget. Let me go forward on my way
and let me plough. I am at peace with the god
of the city, and I know the waters, and the cities,
and the nomes, and the lakes which are in Sekhet-
Hetep. I exist therein, I am strong therein, I have
become a spirit (khu) therein, I eat therein, I sow
seed therein, I reap the harvest therein, I plough
therein, I make love therein, and I am at peace with
the god Hetep therein. Behold I scatter seed therein,
I sail about among its lakes, and I advance to the
cities thereof, 0 divine Hetep. Behold, my mouth is
provided with my [teeth which are like] horns ; grant
me therefore an overflowing supply of the food
whereon the ‘ Doubles ’ (kau) and the Spirits (khu)
do live. I have passed the judgment which Shu
passeth upon him that knowetli him, therefore let me
go forth to the cities of [Hetep], and let me sail
about among its lakes, and let me walk about in
Sekhet-Hetep. Behold Ba is in heaven, and behold
the god Hetep is the twofold offering thereof. I have
come forward to the land [of Hetep], I have girded
up my loins and come forth so that the gifts which
are about to be given unto me may be given, and I
am glad, and I have laid hold upon my strength
which the god Hetep hath greatly increased for

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

193

“0 Unen-em-hetep,1 I have entered into thee, and
my soul followeth after me, and my divine food is
upon my hands. 0 Lady of the two lands,2 who
stablishest my word whereby I remember and forget,
let me live uninjured, and without any injury [being
done] unto me. 0 grant to me, 0 do thou grant to
me, joy of heart ; make thou me to be at peace, bind
thou up my sinews and muscles, and make me to
receive the air.”

“0 Unen-em-hetep, 0 Lady of the winds, I have
entered into thee, and I have shewn 3 my head
[therein]. Ra sleepeth, but I am awake, and there
is the goddess Hast at the gate of heaven by night.
Obstacles have been set before me, but I have
gathered together what Ra hath emitted. I am in
my city.”

“0 Nut-urt,4 I have entered into thee and I have
reckoned up my harvest, and I go forward to Uakh.5
I am the Bull enveloped in turquoise, the lord of the
Held of the Bull, the lord of the divine speech of the
goddess Septet (Sothis) at her hours. 0 Uakh, I have
enteied into thee, I have eaten my bread, I have
gotten the mastery over choice pieces of the flesh of
oxen and of feathered fowl, and the birds of Shu have

1 The name of the first large section of Sekhet-Aaru.

2 A lake in the second section of Sekhet-Aaru.

3 Literally, “opened.”

4 The name of a lake in the first section of Sekhet-Aaru.

5 The name of a lake in the second section of Sekhet-Aaru.

0

194

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

been given unto me ; I follow after the gods, and the
divine * Doubles ’ (kau).”

“0 Tchefet,1 I have entered into thee. I array
myself in apparel, and I have guarded myself with
the Sa garment of Ra ; now behold, he is in heaven,
and those who dwell therein follow him, and I also
follow Ra in heaven. 0 Unen-em-hetep, lord of
the two lands, I have entered into thee, and I have
plunged into the lakes of Tchesert ; behold me now,
for all uncleanness hath departed from me. The Great
God groweth therein, and behold, I have found [food
therein] ; I have snared feathered fowl and I feed
upon the finest of them.”

“ 0 Qenqentet,2 I have entered into thee, and I have
seen the Osiris [my father], and I have gazed upon
my mother, and I have made love. I have captured
the worms and serpents [which are there] and have
delivered myself. I know the name of the god who
is opposite to the goddess Tchesert, who hath straight
hair and is provided with horns; he reapeth, but I
both plough and reap.”

“ 0 Hast,3 I have entered into thee, and I have
driven back those who would come to the turquoise
[sky] ; and I have followed the winds of the com¬
pany of the gods. The Great God hath given my
head unto me, and he who hath bound on me my

1 The name of a district in the third section of Sekhet-Aaru.

2 The name of a lake in the first section of Sekhet-Aaru.

* The name of a lake in the third section of Sekhet-Aaru.

THE ELYSIAN FIELDS.

195

head is the Mighty One with the eyes of turquoise,
t'mt is to say, Ari-en-ab-f (i.e., He who doeth as he
pleaseth).”

0 Useit,1 I have come unto thee at the house
where the divine food is brought unto me.”

“ 0 Smam,2 I have come unto thee. My heart
watcheth, and I am provided with the white crown.
I am led into celestial regions, and I make the things
of earth to flourish; and there is joy of heart for the
Bull, and for celestial beings, and for the company of
the gods. I am the god who is the Bull, the lord of
the gods as he goeth forth from the turquoise

[sky].”

“ O divine nome of wheat and barley, I have come
unto thee, I have come forward to thee, and I have
taken up that which followeth me, namely, the best of
the libations of the company of the gods. I have tied
my boat in the celestial lakes, I have lifted up the post
at which to anchor, I have recited the prescribed words
with my voice, and I have ascribed praises unto the
gods who dwell in Sekhet-hetep.”

Other joys, however, than those described above,
await the man who has passed satisfactorily through
the judgment and has made his way into the realm of
the gods. For, in answer to a long petition in the
Papyrus of Ani, which has been given above (see

1 The name of a lake in the third section of Sekhet-Aaru.

2 The name of a lake in the third section of Sekhet-Aaru.

196 THE DELIGHTS OF THE BLESSED.

p. 33 f.), the god Ba promises to the deceased the
following : “ Thou shalt come forth into heaven, thou
shalt pass over the sky, thou shalt be joined unto the
starry deities. Praises shall be offered unto thee in
thy boat, thou shalt be hymned in the Atet boat, thou
shalt behold Ba within his shrine, thou shalt set
together with his Disk day by day, thou shalt see the
ant 1 fish when it springeth into being in the waters of
turquoise, and thou shalt see the abtu 1 fish in his hour.
It shall come to pass that the Evil One shall fall when
he layeth a snare to destroy thee, and the joints of his
neck and of his back shall be hacked asunder. Ba
[saileth] with a fair wind, and the Sektet boat draweth
on and cometh into port. The mariners of Ba rejoice,
and the heart of Nebt-ankh ( i.e ., Isis) is glad, for the
enemy of Ra hath fallen to the ground. Thou shalt
behold Horus on the standing-place of the pilot of the
boat, and Thoth and Maat shall stand one upon each
side of him. All the gods shall rejoice when they
behold Ba coming in peace to make the hearts of the
shining ones to live, and Osiris Ani, triumphant, the
scribe of the divine offspring of the lords of Thebes,
shall be along with them.”

But, not content with sailing in the boat of Ba daily
as one of many beatified beings, the deceased hoped
to transform each of his limbs into a god, and when
this was effected to become Ba himself. Thus in

1 The name of a mythological fish which swam at the how of the
boat of Ka.

THE DEIFICATION OF MEMBERS 197