The Book of the Dead May Not Be What You Think It Is
Learn more about Surfshark with Incogni at: incogni.com/storied
Join us as we reveal the true purpose of this ancient text and learn more about the ancient Egyptian people - and their relationship with death and the afterlife.
For audio descriptions, go to Settings - Audio Track - English Descriptive.
Hosted by Dr. Moiya McTier & Dr. Emily Zarka, FATE & FABLED explores the stories and characters of mythologies from all around the world - why they came to be and how they impact us still today.
Hosts: Emily Zarka, PhD & Moiya McTier, PhD
Writers: E.H. Matthews, Emily Zarka, PhD
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Producer: Thomas Fernandes
Editor / Animator: Steven Simone
Illustrator: Sophie Calhoun
Script Editors: Emily Zarka, PhD & Moiya McTier, PhD
Fact Checker: Yvonne McGreevy
Additional Footage: Shutterstock
Music: APM Music
Executive in Charge (PBS): Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing
Assistant Director of Programming (PBS): John Campbell
Fate & Fabled is produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
Descriptive Audio & Captions provided by The Described and Captioned Media Program
Пікірлер: 248
Learn more about Surfshark with Incogni at: incogni.com/storied
@TheCommonGentry
2 ай бұрын
are those live action skits new?
@mythicalcreaturesdoctorsor3589
2 ай бұрын
book of dead : Egypt hell dead souls morality bad and good sins anubis and thoth justice law Osiris hell and heaven hell punishment ammit devourer people
@PaszerDye
2 ай бұрын
Doc Emily channeling here inner kwasong
8:44 I love that across cultures, the realm of the dead is a bureaucratic process.
@RevShifty
2 ай бұрын
But no one beats the Confucians. Their traditional conception of an afterlife is literally just a heavenly bureaucracy, all the way down. It's both oddly fascinating and kinda depressing IMO.
@gastonmarian7261
2 ай бұрын
The gods made us in their image, as the old adage says. The Norse myths showed the gods performing rituals for their gods, and that taught humans how to perform rituals to them. All of human society is hierarchical, whether you are a president with local mayors and a military, or a CEO with regional managers and an HR staff, or a pope with various bishops and priests. To structure the hierarchy requires documentation and a level of bureaucracy
@mmyr8ado.360
2 ай бұрын
@@RevShifty It just goes to show that people recognize that a hierarchial structure is inherent in the cosmos. Besides, beaureaucracy in Ancient China might not be the same as we have today.
@kingmj87
2 ай бұрын
At least you get to listen to Harry Belafonte in the waiting room
@RevShifty
2 ай бұрын
@@mmyr8ado.360 Eh, I think you're giving the Confucian idea of submitting to authority because tradition tells you to and because the Chinese emperor and its nobility was to always be respected far too much credit. No one did palace intrigue or rebellions like the Chinese, and Confucianism was just an attempt to reign that in and slow that all down for a bit. The fact that that intrigue and rebellion never really stopped shows you what the philosophy really meant to your average Chinese person, even the nobility. If it wasn't attached to all those wandering priests and eventually martial arts teachers, it might never even have survived. Well, that and I'm sure every parent loved the idea of filial piety, but it certainly wasn't because they were so busy observing the universe. But submitting to authority because the Heavenly Bureaucracy requires it doesn't sound all that profound or even cosmically attentive to me.
So, the Book of the Dead is a walk-thru tutorial with cheat codes to get to the "good ending" of the afterlife. Got it!
"I am not a man of deceit" Greatest line in the episode lol
@origaminosferatu3357
2 ай бұрын
*Trembles nervously in Witch-King of Angmar*
I appreciate the Beetlejuice reference. Without saying Beetlejuice, of course. Can only imagine the hijinks if you had said Beetlejuice.
@animeevergreenathena
2 ай бұрын
Oh my…it has been a long time since I’ve seen that film. Nice to have that reference included in this video. ❤❤❤
@Casiotron74
2 ай бұрын
Said it three times
@krzysztofczarnecki8238
2 ай бұрын
@@animeevergreenathena There's a part 2 coming out this year. I hope it's at least one third as good as the first one
You guys are ridiculously dorky! I love it. I feel at home here.
Did not expect an Evil Dead reference, but the fact you put it in is GROOVY! ❤❤❤
Oh, I clicked on this so fast! Work be damned! 😂 Ancient Egypt has been my special interest since I was little. I actually intended to go to grad school for Egyptology, but in my senior year of undergrad, my health suddenly tanked, and then the Egyptian revolution happened, so my professors said I should wait for Egypt to settle down... and now my career looks dramatically different than I expected. But I still try to keep up with archaeological news! Also, love Dr. Z's weighing of the heart! Y'all are so fun!
"I see, but I'm not happy about it." Yeah, I feel that a lot, doc.
Funnily enough I happen to have bought a book about ancient Egypt and its manuscripts recently so this episode comes and sits perfectly this day 👌🙌
I LOVE Egyptian mythology! As a child, I was obsessed with everything related to ancient Egypt and even though I chose a different career, I still enjoy seeing this kind of content. My favourite Egyptian god is actually Seth because he seems to be more of a misunderstood character rather than an actual villain, at least if you see the development of his myth from the early to the late dynasties. His personality and attributes were a lot more nuanced in early myths, representing a balancing force in equilibrium rather than conflict with Osiris and Horus. It was actually him who guarded Ra's boat against Apophis while it traveled through the Duat. In early versions of the myth, he was not sterile and was actually Anubis's father, representing the fact that there is also life in the desert, his dominion. Alongside Horus, he crowned each new pharaoh, granting him authority over the black and red Egypts. It seems to be a result of foreign invasions occurring during the Middle and New Kingdoms, and those peoples associating him with their own war gods that he thus became a much darker and villainous character.
@theasinclaire52
2 ай бұрын
Yes! This! I doubt Seth was originally Osiris' brother. That probably happened when Upper and Lower Egypt united, probably also Osiris worship was considered more important than worshipping Seth and thus another reason for him to be the bad guy.
0:42 Moments like THIS are why I love this series
I LOVE the spell incantation in the opening! One of my favorite spell incantations is the awaking of the dragon in the movie "Excalibur". I have tried reciting it myself, and I can only barely make the dragon awaken before he goes right back to sleep.
Storied never disappoints. I loved how this opened.
I made my students promise if Anubis strikes me down, they'll leave my copy of Book of the Dead next to me so I can find the Field of Reeds.
Good on you for saying "may" instead of the condescending clickbait way most people phrase it.
Excellent video! There's so much to Egyptian culture and mythology to explore, and this was very interesting and informative. The ancient Egyptian beliefs of what happened after people died were so complex that I suspect you could make a different video every day for a year and still have more information you could talk about! I've got to comment on that dress. Somehow, it just sings! It's perfect for Dr. Z, plus it speaks a little of mummy wrappings. And while the gray looks good and feels appropriate for the video, just imagine how you could change the look by simply changing the color!
Seshat, Goddess of the Library, has to be the coolest Egyptian deity. I might, in this instance, admit this archaeological find may have been used for ritual.
Super explanation of a complicated piece of Egyptology
Love me some Ancient Egypt content.
Ive got the full transcribed book of the dead (incl. pyramid texts) that i bought from Universal Studios in CA. The spells are one thing. its the names, and titles, for Egypt's 100+ gods that are the hard to remember bit; Like each deity wasnt just "Horus" "Ra" "Thoth" etc, they could be heralded as "Ra as he is in the western sky" "Ra as he is in the eastern sky" "Ra as he is at this temple" "Ra as he is at that temple" "Ra as he is in Amun Ra" "Ra as he is in Khepri"... and the list goes on.
Can we assume that the view of it being a grimoire is from egyptomania and the popularization of occultism in the late nineteenth century?
You need a Pet Sematary for the gerbil (refer to a Stephen King). Plus you have books made of human skin (like the necronomicon) in some libraries (College of Physicians of Philadelphia and Harvard University).
@crowdemon_archives
2 ай бұрын
Make sure the human leather book isn't an anatomical textbook too! 😅
The Two of You are Precious.
Love your content, keep it up Dr.
Handbook For The Recently Deceased: Ancient Egyptian Edition!
I love how good the two of you are together being funny, it’s awesome:)
That's an amazing outfit, Dr Z
The Egyptian civilization lasted for such a long time (thousands of years), changing constantly as all societies do, that most things that were true about Egyptian religion, culture, and mythology at one time were not as true at other times.
As a Khemetic Pagan, I have a beautiful copy of Budge's translation with full images of the translated hieroglyphics that is going to be buried with me when I go on to the Duat. ❤️
@TimelessTransience
2 ай бұрын
Do you know where I could find that version? That sounds really cool!
@littlejourneyseverywhere
2 ай бұрын
@@TimelessTransience Budge's translation is the most recent and includes pieces that hadn't been excavated when the other more widely distributed version was published so I like it best. I actually got my copy off of Amazon :)
@TimelessTransience
2 ай бұрын
@littlejourneyseverywhere I'm somewhat familiar with Budge; I cited his work in a paper for college at least once. I should've asked you like this: what's the particular release you were talking about (cover/ISBN)?
Love this one. More interaction like this between Emily and Moiya please!
The Egyptian Book *For* The Dead Simple translation error 😉
@JimmyCerra
2 ай бұрын
Handbook for the Recently Deceased.
@gwyndolinds-en8yt
2 ай бұрын
The “You died! Now what?” Manual
If you look at pictures from the opening of King Tut's tomb it looks like one of those garages where you can't park your car.
Beetleguese's or Beetlejuice's book of the dead would be a much closer modern adaptation to the Egyptian book of the dead?
@JimmyCerra
2 ай бұрын
It’s called the Handbook for the Recently Deceased
Oooh, Tefnut, *excellent* choice Dr T! Also, awesome dress there Dr Z. Wonderful and informative work from you both, as always, and bravo to all the rest of the team at Storied too! 👏👏👏
You guys have waaay too much fun doing these segments 😂😂😂! How do you ever get through to the end?!!
Thanks for the great video! I love this channel. Speaking of things that aren't what they seem; would you consider doing a video on Crom Cruach? I recently watched your video on the dullahan so it made me think of it.
Thanks for the video
Love Tefnut! Good choice
Thank you for this video
Love your videos ❤
Very nice presentation.
Dr. M dropping that book had me cackling. Another great episode!
Man, this would've helped a lot with a presentation I gave last semester
Omg, where did you get that dress?!?!
@zombieholly
2 ай бұрын
I also need to know this!
@LindaC616
2 ай бұрын
Definitely unique
@pbsstoried
2 ай бұрын
It's from 4SI3NNA-*Dr. Z*
@Qadupae
2 ай бұрын
@@pbsstoried Thank you so much!!! Their whole dress line looks phenomenal!!!
Thank you so much
I do love their videos like this
Dope episode. Also, Dr. Z where did you find that dress? I love it!
Ani means "I" or "me" in Hebrew, it makes it quite interesting to think that this character is a symbol for the self going through the afterlife.
@Ant42Lee
2 ай бұрын
That's a fun thought, though I doubt it was intentional. The Middle Egyptian (classical) form of the word I was "yanak" or "anak", so I doubt an Egyptian would make that connection (and "Ani" is probably just a conventional pronunciation of that scribe's name anyway, rather than a reconstruction)
@danielspitz9077
2 ай бұрын
@@Ant42Lee yes of course, but even the gods names, Ra is 'bad' and Ammit is 'friend' in Hebrew. So while I totally agree it's only a fun thought, it's interesting, especially since the two ancient cultures had connections and probably influenced each other is many ways.
Great video.
Thanks for the content you sweet nerds!
Writing this 1 minute into the video so may have to edit, but is it true that the Tibetan Book of the Dead was more of a guidebook for life, while the Egyptian version was to cross over to afterlife?
I like how most historical facts reveal how much of our history is able to turn things into businesses
Thank you.
Not me watching every video because I'm so invested in the Pantheon picks 🤣
0:50 - Oh, like Beetlejuice!
Thank you
Sounds pretty nice honestly.
I've always found "The Mummy" series using an actual book, as it is commonly found in the modern world, to be one of the most hilariously obvious missteps of the franchise. Depicting "The Book of the Dead" as a fancible means to resurrect the dead is one thing, but to completely overlook the fact that ancient Egypt utilized scrolls and not cover-bound folded, central-connected pages is mindbogglingly dumb on the writers' part. BTW, I loved the comparison to "The Handbook of the Recently Deceased."
I got a copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead with hieroglyphics, transliterations and translations from a used book store. I haven't read it yet, just flipped through it. Looks neat.
There is so much talk of spells and trials in the discussion about the book of the dead. Are there actual spells written by the Egyptians to heal or control to help them along the way or is it more instructive guide to the journey?
This was absolutely adorable and fun ❤
At the 3:32 mark, did you include the Book of Abraham? (I know Joseph Smith made it up, but I think I recognized his doodles)
I like your Jedi robes, Dr. Z
a fun and well given education
One of my favorite funerary texts is the Egyptian Book of Gates with commentary by Josephine McCarthy
😂 Love the Evil Dead opening ♥
After I skipped past the silly skit portions I enjoyed the video ⭐️ I like Dr. Z teaching about the interesting topics.
Nothing to do with the video but something funny that someone pointed out to me recently: In the beginning of the video she says, "you can't judge a book by it's cover". But, that's _exactly_ what book covers are for...to help you in judging the contents of the book so you don't have to waste time reading a book that you're not going to like...
I wish its actual name was much more common. Such a beautiful title.
It is exactly what I knew it is. Thank ya very much.
Cool!
Not sure if you could just pick Tefnut without picking (or getting) Shu as well.
What about the Tibetan One?
"I am not a *man* of deceit" "we really need to close that loophole..." Love you ladies 🤣
"Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind's journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul's fate revealed. In time, all points converge; hope's strength resteeled. But to earn final peace at the universe's endless refrain, we must see all in nothingness... before we start again." --A.B. (DD1) 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
Taweret is watching you
@genghisgalahad8465
2 ай бұрын
And Sobek, was it awaits, 🐊 ....
I can never watch ‘The Mummy’ and ‘The Mummy Returns’ the same way again now.
Okay. 3:32 I adore that you’re using the Joseph Smith Papyri in this video. Yes it’s clearly the book of the dead but any LdS scholar is going to argue that’s Abraham being sacrificed. It even had the ‘pharaoh’ illustration where Smith put human features in the vacant space of Anubis head. Thank you as scholars for calling it exactly what it is… the book of the dead, not the Book of Abraham written by the hand of Abraham while in Egypt as Smith claimed.
One of the nicer "versions" of the Egyptian afterlife involved most folks sticking around in the Field of Reeds, though I think the author called it a summer country. She wasn't at all trying to reflect the real practices, though, this was a fantasy novel with strong influences of Egyptian culture, not a scholarly work of any sort. At the same time it seemed like a less horrible afterlife than some I could mention.
Hitchhikers guide to the afterlife?
@keerthikiran7055
Ай бұрын
Sounds like a book name
One day people will perhaps also wonder how to decipher our emojis 🌞✍👁👄👁 😁💀🤔
how about the Tibetan Book of th DEAD ....they have a book for living too
@anaz5918
2 ай бұрын
I have read it very interesting book .
Oddly, I thought this was common knowledge
Folks need to remember that the rule of the pharaohs lasted 3200 years. In comparison, there has only been a British monarchy for 1200 years.
A very Egyptian cut to that dress. I dig it.
@pbsstoried
2 ай бұрын
You noticed! The necklace is also a recreation of one found on an Egyptian mummy.-Dr.Z
@zombieholly
2 ай бұрын
@@pbsstoried Is there any way someone can tell me where it was purchased? It's so cool!
@pbsstoried
2 ай бұрын
@@zombieholly 4SI3NNA!
@zombieholly
2 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!@@pbsstoried
"What to Expect While You're Expiring"
Yeaasss
I know one sin I definitely did not do. I didn't forget to hit the like button, most heinous of all sins.
Now when I die, Don’t think me a nut. Don’t want no fancy funeral, Just one like ol’ King Tut!
I have one of the declarations of innocence before the gods of the tribunal tattooed on my arm: I have not made myself deaf to the words of right and truth. Also you didn't go into how the feather is a symbol for Ma'at, a goddess associated with truth and wife of Ptah. I had an unhealthy obsession with this as a teen.
Is there a Book of Amun-Ra?
It may be to comfort their love ones, that have passed on , the after life is spiritual .
I'd be interested in other funeral practices of other cultures. Perhaps the next few videos could tap into Hindi culture? They have an incredible pantheon of God & I just don't understand or know about!
Funnily enough, “Hail to the King, baby” is a direct Anubis quote. Don’t bother looking it up, just take my word for it. ~_~
Uhhh that dress 😯😯🙌
Great story and nice background music. Thanks, although you ruined the mummy movie for me :)
They didn't have books in ancient Egypt?
Handbook For The Newly Deceased! Original Edition.
Ancient Egypt is so fascinating, it doesn't even feel like real life, seems like something out of a George R. R. Martin's book.