Functions and Uses of Egyptian Myth
This article discusses functions and uses of myth in ancient Egypt as a contribution to comparative research. Applications of myth are reviewed in order to present a basic general typology of usages: from political, scholarly, ritual, and medical applications, through incorporation in images, to lin...
Authors: | ; |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Colin
[2018]
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In: |
Revue de l'histoire des religions
Year: 2018, Volume: 235, Issue: 4, Pages: 645-681 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Egypt (Antiquity)
/ Religion
/ Mythology
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IxTheo Classification: | BC Ancient Orient; religion |
Online Access: |
Presumably Free Access Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
Summary: | This article discusses functions and uses of myth in ancient Egypt as a contribution to comparative research. Applications of myth are reviewed in order to present a basic general typology of usages: from political, scholarly, ritual, and medical applications, through incorporation in images, to linguistic and literary exploitations. In its range of function and use, Egyptian myth is similar to that of other civilizations, except that written narratives appear to have developed relatively late. The many attested forms and uses underscore its flexibility, which has entailed many interpretations starting with assessments of the Osiris myth reported by Plutarch (2nd century AD). Myths conceptualize, describe, explain, and control the world, and they were adapted to an ever-changing reality. |
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ISSN: | 2105-2573 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Revue de l'histoire des religions
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.4000/rhr.9334 |