Mysteries of Osiris
mystery osiris also known osirism religious festivity celebrated ancient egypt commemorate murder regeneration osiris course ceremony attested various written source important document ritual mystery osiris month khoiak compilation middle kingdom text engraved ptolemaic period upper chapel temple dendera egyptian religion sacred secret intimately linked result ritual practice beyond reach uninitiated reserved priest one authorised enter divine sanctuary unfathomable theological mystery solemnly precautionary remains osiris according osirian myth mummy kept deep duat subterranean world dead every night nocturnal journey ra solar god came regenerate temporarily uniting osiris form single soul collapse old kingdom city abydos became centre osirian belief every year series public procession secret ritual held mimicking passion osiris organised according royal memphite funeral ritual first millennium bc practice abydos spread country main city thebe memphis saïs coptos dendera etc lagids every city demanded possess shred holy body failing lymph drained mystery based legend removal osiris corpse set scattering body part throughout egypt found one one isi disjointed limb reassembled mummy endowed powerful life force regeneration osirian remains isischentayt grieving widow take place every year month khoiak fourth nilotic calendar straddling month october november temple officiant set making small mummiform figurine called vegetative osiris piously preserved whole year substitute osirian body buried specially dedicated necropolis osireions tomb osiris mystery observed nile begin recede week field sown farmer ingredient used make figurine barley earth water date mineral herb highly symbolic relating main cosmic cycle solar revolution lunar phase nile flood germination purpose mixing moulding body osiris invoke divine force ensured renewal life rebirth vegetation resurrection dead ancient time greek author herodotus diodorus siculus plutarch jamblicus developed idea egypt ancient civilisation original cradle theological mythological ritualistic knowledge view sometimes referred egyptosophy word blend term egypt philosophy since renaissance approach history religion major impact western culture influence particularly evident among involved hermeticism esotericism pseudosciencism egyptosophy thus influenced spiritual current varying degree occultism alchemy rosicrucianism freemasonry theosophy since decolonisation europe egyptosophy also major influence western culture since decolonisation africa idea also become cornerstone afrocentrist kemitist theorist latter seeking african renaissance based return ancient egyptian teaching second half seventeenth century onwards cliché egypt land mystery spread throughout europe lumières commonplace perfectly displayed opera magic flute w mozart e schikaneder first performed middle work initiate tamino pamina see vision world turned upside initiation secret sarastro high priest kingdom light worshipper god isi osiris time freemason believed discovered existence dual religion egyptian mystery within false polytheistic religion reserved common people true monotheistic religion reserved restricted circle initiate mass uneducated people religion centered piety festival sacrifice divinity merely custom designed maintain social peace continuity state time subterranean shadow crypt beneath temple pyramid egyptian priest would provided moral intellectual spiritual training elite quest truth initiation ceremony since scientific knowledge egyptian mystery progressed considerably thanks careful study inscription left papyrus wall temple tomb numerous philological archaeological contribution challenged european cliche mystery osiris revealing true nature ritual actual practice egyptian priest egyptology community brought several major text attention general public firstly émile chassinats translation french rituel de mystères dosiris au mois de khoiak compilation tentyrite inscription work date back published posthumously two volume institut français darchéologie orientaleifao major publication papyrus n paul barguet papyrus salt philippe derchain cérémonial de glorification louvre jeanclaude goyon work since supplemented recent work exhaustive publication text osirian chapel atdendera sylvie cauville catherine graindorge thesis god sekeris thebe contribution laure pantalacci horst beinlich jan assmann osirian relic time archaeology remains linked cult osiris enriched knowledge space dedicated mystery ritual catacomb karnak oxyrhynchus academic world egyptology knowledge mystery osiris based mainly late inscription temple dating grecoroman period among text six chapel osireion dendera located roof temple hathor important source understanding ritual local variant religious context based primarily ritual mystery osiris engraved end ptolemaic period source rich detail often confusing compilation seven book different origin busiris abydos different period middle kingdom ptolemaic period inscription take form succession one hundred fiftynine hieroglyphic column arranged three four wall openair courtyard first eastern chapel first major translation french victor loret title le fêtes dosiris au mois de khoiak however émile chassinat annotated translation le mystère dosiris au mois de khoiak page published late remains standard work translation modernised albeit almost unchanged sylvie cauville exhaustive publication commentary text osirian chapel dendera egyptian civilisation undeniably secret rite ritual performed priest carried behind wall temple absence general public general public generally access temple feast day crowd allowed forecourt never sanctuary holy holy egyptian mentality djeser sacred seshta secret two notion go hand hand word sacred also mean separate keep apart essence sacred something must kept separate profane divine power confined heaven beyond presence also manifest earth among human being temple god necropolis ancestor place priest exercise role mediator humankind force invisible place apart kept away majority living access subject restriction kind bodily purity fasting obligation silence clear distinction sacred place profane world led ancient egyptian endow sacredness strong obligation secrecy priest performed rite temple therefore bound silence must say anything book dead deceased priest congratulates taken part cult ceremony country main town emphasis disclosed nothing done seen heard osiris n say nothing seen osiris n repeat heard mysterious —book dead chap translation paul barguet solar journey two greatest divine power secret inaccessible ra sun god osiris abydos ruler dead treatise mystery egypt devoted egyptian babylonian religion neoplatonist philosopher iamblichus summarizes short formula two greatest mystery egyptian belief thing persevere immobility renewed perpetuity course sun never stop thing remain perfect complete mystery abydos never revealed — jamblique le mystères dégypte vi path sun inspired egyptian abundant developed religious literature however clear distinction made recipient text clearly intended greatest number people hymn sun prayer addressed star particular time day morning star appears outside mountain eastern horizon halfway celebrate culmination evening disappears western horizon hymn inscription engraved entrance tomb stele placed inside outside chapel even papyrus book dead accessible text claim transmit ignore secret teaching group text codifies transmits knowledge reserved pharaoh book afterlife book amduat book gate book cave etc image text exclusively adorn wall tomb sovereign new kingdom present hour hour nocturnal journey sun land beyond secret literature expose occult knowledge regeneration sun deep within earth say nocturnal renewal circuit connects end beginning existence freed mortality middle night solar star unites temporarily mummy osiris union draw life force necessary regeneration unlike death sun become osiris rest within brief moment single soul known name ba reunited reunion osiris form criocephalic mummy called “the one ram’s head” set mountain west illuminates underworld ray rest osiris osiris rest — book dead chapter excerpt osirian corpse according occult literature book beyond greatest secret unfathomable mystery egyptian belief mummified remains osiris text sun god whose secret hidden underworld place shelter secret word “secret” designates osirian corpse tired star come rest every night keep secret great god invisible duat … ra said received image embraced secret rest castle benben place shelter remains —book gate egyptian custom talking death osiris generally speaking pyramid text grecoroman document murder osiris mourning tomb evoked allusion clever circumlocution thus read “as aroutree west stand osiris affair happened papyrus salt matter question obviously burial osiris tree planted site divine tomb egyptian also used euphemism especially late period instead saying “misfortune befallen osiris” statement reversed saying “misfortune befallen enemy osiris” postulating speech writing within magical power egyptian feared simple act speaking mythical episode death osiris risked making happen simple enunciation papyrus jumilhac murder osiris thus eluded instead writing set threw osiris ground scribe writes knocked enemy osiris ground egyptian text say nothing existence initiation ceremony would allowed new priest access temple theological secret first time wait nd century reign roman emperor hadrian encounter text type source egyptian context egyptian initiation lucius main character golden as novel written nd century apuleius madaure scene take place egypt greece cenchrea temple isi greek context seems hellenic follower egyptian god reinterpreted nilotic funerary rite stage initiation living burial dead ceremony appears anticipated death descent hell order approach solar divinity union osiris question existence egypt initiatory ritual remains largely controversial idea initiation widely accepted egyptosophy circle possibility mostly rejected proponent academic egyptology alexandria greece syncretic interpretation probable osirian ritual merged greek mystery eleusis young applicant psychologically tested nocturnal ceremony receiving revelation world divine therefore egyptian written source suggesting initiation priest pharaonic era german egyptologist jan assmann however aberrant think ancient egyptian acquired secret afterlife lifetime order prepare death imagine egyptian myst led symbolic journey underground room osireion abydos crypt late temple place richly decorated mystical illustration symbolic middle kingdom annual religious festival took place city abydos featuring martyrdom regeneration god osiris secret ritual operation officiant fashioned figurine simulacrum relic sacred object kept whole year within temple buried carried procession specially dedicated necropolis growing importance cult osiris mystery took national importance performed concomitantly city country month khoiak abydos holy city every year month khoiak city abydos celebration held statue osiris carried procession temple osirisirian tomb ropeker probably located burial area known modern name umm el qaab middle kingdom historical period spanning th th dynasty ancient egyptian likened tomb king djer st dynasty themythical tomb osiris identification certainly find origin antiquity royal tomb thousand year separate two period question excavation carried french archaeologist émile amélineau discovered mythical tomb statue osiris lying burial bed discovery however remains controversial dating work formally established pilgrim flocked country attend procession commemorated passage stele placed chapel built along ceremonial route festivity celebrated throughout new kingdom except amarna period th dynasty pharaonic munificence endowed city new cult complex temple seti osireion end ramesside period dynastic crisis interrupted success abydos festivity regained luster thanks political stability saite period numerous memorial stele flourished origin preponderance abydos religious fame osirian mystery abydos date back first intermediate period time social unrest resulting decay state institution old kingdom previously prosperous age pharaonic monarchy splendid necropolis made mastaba organized around memphite pyramid place eternity allowed deceased notable benefit immediate vicinity royal funeral cult benefit generous redistribution food offering disappearance necropolis abydos ancient cemetery first pharaoh thinite era symbolically take becoming ideal necropolis every dignitary must refer hope postmortem salvation god osiris mythical paragon dead pharaoh becomes great god necropolis ousting jackal god khentiamentiu mystery abydos centered martyrdom osiris fact nothing transposition royal funerary ritual time pyramid divine ritual repeated annually time memphis similar annual funerary festival developed around seker mummified falcon god basic structure place remains dead pharaoh ritual set based simulacrum body mummiform effigy fashioned eight day followed liturgical vigil sacred night haker festival abydos netjeryt festival memphis funeral procession intended convey effigy tomb thanks neshmet barque abydos hennu barque memphis coming daylight middle kingdom idea emerged among ancient egyptian religious festival sacred period ancestor could “return daylight” peret em herou underground world dead order participate celebration festive performance performed living descendant duration celebration opposition beyond abolished least diminished statue deity emerge solitude sanctuary appear crowd living visit deceased necropolis akh “ancestral spirits” thanks ba “soul” return favor human participating family banquet celebration middle kingdom stele mention wish participate postmortem great religious festival “mysteries abydos” annual reiteration myth osiris grace ritual highlight mystical event procession statue osiris portable boat temple abydos sacred mound ropeqer mythical tomb god located less two kilometer south holy city according myth god assassinated brother set regenerated wife isi form eternal mummy deposited place subsequently new kingdom desire participate jointly living ancestor festive moment extended celebration abydean theban memphite festival leaving religious preponderance mystery abydos” fact lasting impact egyptian funerary thought end ancient civilization expressed perfectly corpus book dead book emerging light sort vade mecum showing geography danger dodge path afterlife deceased wishing come go two world national cult first millennium bc although ancient egypt twilight remained living civilization religious belief underwent profound change th century country nile gradually lost political independence victim succession foreign occupation persian nubian macedonian roman egyptian elite politically downgraded external authority took refuge within temple maintain income prestige social status clericalization culture lead production intense theological reflection ancient tradition rethought developed complex symbolic system based particular myth dismemberment osiris demonization god set written culture hieroglyphic profoundly modified number sign multiplied tenfold learning write becomes extremely difficult art requiring around ten year study probable complexity produced break mass egyptian people priest busy magicoreligious speculation behind surrounding wall temple important change growing importance cult osiris devotion shown leaf funerary domain strictly confined since old kingdom reach individual search religion salvation osirian belief spread outside original metropolis abydos south busiris north reach city country within temple chapel dedicated specifically mystery developed famous example osireion dendera complex six chapel located roof temple hathor stele ikhernofret middle kingdom pharaoh sesostris sesostris iii amenemhat showed great interest holy city abydos temple dedicated osiris khentymentyou sent trusted men whose mission fill temple rich undertake renovation lead taking active part procession reenacting mystery martyrdom osiris one important testimony era stele treasurer ikhernofret discovered abydos exhibited ägyptisches museum berlin “i played exit “opener roads” advance avenge father drove enemy ship neshmet drove back enemy osiris played grand exit accompanying step god allowed boat sail thoth directed navigation rightly equipped boat called “she appears glory thanks truthjustice” beautiful chapel fixed beautiful crown god advance towards peker cleared path lead tomb facing peker avenged ounennéfer osiris famous day great battle destroyed enemy shore nedyt made advance inside boat called “the great” bore beauty gladdened heart hill western desert created exultation hill saw beauty boat neshmet landed abydos boat brought back osiris lord city towards palace followed god house made purify return throne —translation claire lalouette stele ikhernofret extract festivity take place form succession procession recalling episode osirian myth senior figure brought participate although testified presence placing stele nevertheless placed written testimony protection pious secret several process implemented guarantee greatest possible discretion “mysteries abydos” many writing including ikhernofret cite rite procession order less understandable ritual moreover described minimum using stereotypical sentence way reveal detail another process make sacred object like portable boat unrecognizable camouflaging graphic simplification public procession abydean stele never mention assassination osiris episode probably played statue exit temple attacker supporter set seized figure order throw away ground leave lying side tragic episode stele mention processional exit péret tepyt also called “exit wepwawet” “exit sem” high character playing role canine god wepwawet “opener paths” come save father osiris driving away attacker performing rite mummification statue canine divinity manifestation horus fight name father osiris setian enemy hostile enemy force perhaps symbolically crushed magical ritual wax statuette vas representing mishandled destroyed necessary carry funeral statue osiris taking tomb ropeker took place three stage “grand exit” outside temple funeral procession led wepwawet acclaimed crowd faithful necessary cross body water boat undoubtedly sacred lake temple protection thoth symbolize passage beyond last part journey god placed funeral sleigh reach necropolis accompanied officiant culminating moment mystery implementation regeneration osiris “abode gold” probably located near tomb according word king neferhotep th dynasty new statue made gold electrum text however specify time rite must taken place preparation procession funeral previous statue haker night officiant supposed capture spirit osiris statue could considered alive inhabited god night corresponds funerary cult night justification judgment dead ritualized nightly vigil accomplished news announced living dead common exultation statue left ropeqer sacred boat reach temple fashioning osirian statuette processional outing “mysteries abydos” month khoiak took place public rite performed away profane eye officiant forming confidential circle year day preceding procession concomitantly new statue osiris made mixture earth barley grain precious component ritual shaping divine representation constituted heart abydaean celebration ikhernofret stele provide information appearance statue specifies decorated gold precious stone adorned chest statue lord abydos lapis lazuli turquoise electrum kind precious stone used adorn divine limb adorned god crown according office steward secret function priest sem priest pure hand hand undefiled adorn god —stele ikhernofret extract translation claire lalouette none statuette discovered abydos archaeological excavation description however agrees later artifact discovered site known scholarly name “vegetating osiris” know english corn mummy german kornosiris kornmumie latter around fifty centimeter high frequently decorated gold leaf placed small golden sarcophagus falcon head ancient egyptian worship relic body part personal belonging left behind saint hero death like deity pantheon veneration ancestor preferentially exercised mediation cult statue notion relic however absent religion mainly based myth dismemberment osiris set tradition thus attest presence part osirian body certain city country materiality relic manifested annual production figurine body osiris simulacrum relic commemorating action isi largest part “mysteries osiris” ceremony performed month khoiak took place within temple away profane eye “ ritual mystery dendera” engraved wall one six osirian chapel temple hathor grecoroman period record essential ritual gesture collection late compilation seven book explains sometimes confusing manner making burial three sacred figurine fashioned image god osiris turn th th century scholar alexandre moret james george frazer attributed purely agrarian character rite “mysteries osiris” overinterpreting text dendera ptolemaic hieroglyphic writing difficult approach two commentator misled translation error due victor loret endowed “ritual mysteries” excessive symbolism contain since work émile chassinat middle th century clearly established mystery commemoration martyrdom osiris dismemberment set funeral reconstitution isi anubis month khoiak priest reconstituted reenacted within temple main act gesture accomplished goddess isi murder husband thanks fragile sacred figurine priest renewed year reconstruction dismembered body osiris well sumptuous funeral central divinity ritual goddess isi mentioned mainly name chentayt “she suffers” term designates widow place text split speaking “chentayt busiris” “chentayt abydos” making osirian figurine took place room temple called “residence chentayt” presence statue showing lamenting quest isi beginning nd century greek plutarch reported egyptian tradition placed institution “mysteries osiris” mythical time divinity isi stifled madness typhon put end rage want many fight many struggle sustained many wandering race many stroke wisdom courage remained buried silence oblivion figuration allegory representation unites holy initiation memory evil endured thus consecrating time lesson piety encouragement men woman would fall influence adversity —plutarch isi osiris§ translation mario meunier plutarch offer philosophical treatise isi osiris first narrative version osirian myth story evoked disparate allusion egyptian source osiris reigned egyptian people jealous brother set decided assassinate order ascend royal throne banquet set helped seventytwo crony succeeded trickery locking osiris magnificent chest threw water nile goddess isi wife osiris searched body husband quest brought city byblos located phoenicia isi collected chest king malcander brought back egypt story enters crucial phase regarding institution mystery isi setting go son horus brought buto deposited chest osiris secluded place typhon one night hunting moonlight found recognized body cut fourteen piece scattered side informed happened isi set look boarded boat made papyrus traveled marsh … also explains several tomb egypt said tomb osiris isi said raised tomb time discovered section corpse —plutarch isi osiris§ translation mario meunier sacred relic myth osiris dismemberment set attested throughout egyptian text since time pyramid text source however disparate discordant depending place time considered number relic collected isi anubis well distribution member across territory nature body part regalia scepter crown subject significant variation divergence sometimes found even within source compilation varied tradition far know oldest list relic date new kingdom form magical formula practitioner threatens reveal secret tomb osiris chester beaty papyrus viii text cite city athribis heliopolis letopolis mendes heracleopolis attribute lot relic five city jumilhac papyrus ptolemaic period report tradition limited cynopolitan region th th nome upper egypt present two divergent list twelve fourteen relic found across country thanks effort anubis temple edfu dendera present part myth consolidation osiris form procession fortytwo genie symbol fortytwo nome country bringing holy relic guidance pharaoh order reunite simulacrum relic plutarch speaks quest isi disjointed limb osiris account two different explanation first mentioned affirms member found isi indeed buried holy city discovered second explanation however considers tomb contain simulacrum intended deceive confuse set destructive madness isi made image everything discovered gave successively city given whole body thus wanted osiris receive many honor possible typhon prevail horus lost deceived search true tomb osiris diversity everything could show part osiris body isi could find virile member soon snatched typhon threw river lepidote porgy oxyrrhynpus eaten hence sacred horror fish inspire replace member isi made imitation goddess thus consecrated phallus festival egyptian still celebrate today —plutarch isi osiris translation mario meunier according historian diodorus sicilyst century goddess isi developed ruse deceive priest order encourage celebrate memory osiris time found member mummified placing humanshaped simulacrum likeness osiris isi found part osiris body except sexual part hide tomb husband venerated inhabitant egypt proceeded following manner enveloped part figure made wax aromatics similar size osiris summoning class priest one made swear secrecy confidence going make announced class entrusted preference others burial osiris … —diodorus sicily historical library translation ferdinand hoefer ritual mystery osiris temple dendera explains method making three figurine correspond statement plutarch diodorus sicily presented two simulacrum entire body khentiamentiu seker simulacrum relic “divine lamb” interpreted member osiris specific city khentiamentiu figurine called khentiamentiu represents osiris aspect civilizing sovereign pharaoh rescued egyptian people barbarism early age made mold two gold piece appearance half mummy cut top bottom one piece used mold right side figurine left side two part put together figurine took appearance mummy human face wearing white crown two piece mold used planter barley seed germinated sandy soil kept moist daily watering khoiak shoot germinated two half tied together give final shape dimension khentiamentiu modest total one cubit high two palm wide ie × cm book ii mold allows figurine named thanks inscription engraved chest “king upper lower egypt pharaoh seker loved begetter begat himself” book v divine shred according ritual mystery dendera sepy netjer “divine shred” composition khentiamentiu barley sand cast square box made two symmetrical bronze part measuring cm side cm height according émile chassinat “lambeau” undoubtedly symbolic representation fourteen relic body osiris two figurine khentiamentiu “lambeau” remain together khoiak square greywacke garden vat cm wide cm deep pierced bottom allow excess water daily watering drain away tank rest four pillar placed sort granite basin collect excess liquid according belgian egyptologist pierre koemoth seems “divine shred” relic dismembered body osiris could materialized plant khoiak ceremony shred undoubtedly sought priest bank nile imitation quest isi egyptian text obscure subject passage jumilhac papyrus seems mention fact th khoiak day jaw ougit established plant git found inscription canopic procession appearing osireion dendera ra horakhty saying discovered femur osiris reed bed heliopolis region “i bring bone qes forearm found place called “plants god goddesses” put place golden room relic appears form reed plant stiff stem fact linked egyptian language expression qes isy “reed bones” used designate stem plant qes khet “tree bones” name branch ceremonial inventio osiridis “discovery osiris” well known grecoegyptian ritual isiac cult plutarch report certainly night hathyr believer thought could find osiris water nile stolists priest bring sacred cist contains small golden box pour fresh water clamor arose present everyone shouted osiris found soak topsoil water mix expensive herb perfume shape crescentshaped figurine dress dress … —plutarch isi osiris § excerpt translation mario meunier seker seker sekeris figurine represents king osiris role divine ruler protector dead according émile chassinat seker representation body osiris dismembered set reconstituted isi figurine molded compact ductile paste made sand crushed date expensive ingredient also incorporated including twentyfour precious stone mineral seker mold length khentiamentiu namely one cubit cm however appearance different one part used mold front side body rear side put together seker statuette thus take form mummy human head wearing nemes uraeus forehead holding two hand crozier whip crossed chest book iii ritual mystery osiris left u three recipe dough used make book iii book vi book vii last explained detailed make mummy human face wearing divine wig ibes headdress crowned uraeus grasping heka scepter flabellum whose name engraved cartouche follows “horus arbitrator separation double country osiris lord busiris onnophris khentymentyou god great lord abydos” take date pulp earth seven khait hin weight three deben three qites take water andjti nome sacred lake two hour moisten khait date pulp work perfectly cover entirely sycamore branch remains ductile myrrh kher first quality four khait weight namely seven qites fresh turbinth resin packaged palm fiber one kait similarly weight qite sweet aromatics twelve total list aromatic reed sebit nedjem two qites gaiou aromatic oasis two qites cinnamon khet nedjem two qites resinous wood pine aleppo two qites fedou plant two qites ethiopian rush two qites djarem aromatic two qites peqer aromatic two qites mint nekepet two qites pine nut perech two qites juniper berry peret ouân two qites grind sift twentyfour mineral list gold silver carnelian still list dark red quartz lapis lazuli turquoise syria turquoise piece green felspar north calcite red jasper tjemehou mineral country ouaouat senen mineral dolerite nemeh magnetite chrysocolla galena together green stone piece seheret resin piece amber black flint de kem white flint de hedj amethyst land black grind put cup mix add date paste khait make total seventeen kait summary earth sevenkhait date pulp seven khait myrrh kher two khait terebinth resin one khait aromatic pleasant smell one khait mineral khait —ritual mystery osiris translation sydney h aufrere scientific knowledge “tombs osiris” figurine god permanently buried enriched thanks french archaeological excavation karnak since hispanoegypt oxyrhynchus since site attested archaeology city coptos sixteen city according ritual mystery osiris osirian festival month khoiak celebrated nome sixteen member god divine nome book nome osiris book vi say sixteen egyptian province according myth shred body osiris torn piece set preserved since quest isi number symbolic pliny elder report flood nile varies depending year one sixteen cubit height sixteen optimal number hope good harvest withdrawal water number sixteen mark desire limit prestigious city development cult osiris first millennium bc regional sanctuary rallied cult osiris integrated ritual khoiak cult tradition evidenced osireion ofdendera built terrace temple hathor osireion thebe built precinct amunre karnak local rite dendera text give general overview osirian mystery provides little information local particularity celebration twenty city mentioned collection nevertheless identifies two group distinct ritual first geographical group followed rite abydos brought together city upper lower egypt elephantine coptos cusæ heracleopolis letopolis th nome lower egypt bubastis heliopolis athribis second modest included town busiris memphis city follow general rule saïs khenymentiou figurine made mixture earth barley modeled sculptor clay mixed terebinth resin sprinkled barley grain book ii diospolis “divine shred” replaced representation made bread flavored herb book site bousiris located nile delta yielded archaeological element according indication provided ritual mystery osiris tomb osiris bousiris form chapel sheltered sacred tree douât superior crypt located tumulus lower duat upper duât twentyfourth khoiak last seven day month sacred effigy previous year rest place called “upper duat” perhaps sort chapeltomb located next sacred tree served temporary burial place awaiting thirtieth khoiak day last ceremony week sekerosiris figurine known “unique acacia” basrelief osireion dendera show figurine sarcophagus lying tree branch spread pseudomummy around coffin undoubtedly make clear osiris placed protection tree figuration recall mythical episode reported plutarch byblos tamarisk tree greatly activated growth order hide inside wood sarcophagus containing remains osiris plutarch isi osiris § translation mario meunier lower duat ritual mystery osiris indicates sacred figurine previous year definitively buried night thirtieth khoiak place called “lower duat” town busiris crypt located sacred mound planted one ished tree probably balanites crypt ished tree divine cemetery one enters mystical work previous year call lower duat made stone height sixteen cubit width twelve cubit seven door similar douat door door west one enters door east one exit contains pile sand seven cubit god placed inside sarcophagus —ritual mystery osiris book v translation émile chassinat according description given ritual text busirite crypt stone building covered artificial hill ground level lower entrance order allow stagnation water flooding nile month khoiak burial took place mound sand undoubtedly intended keep small sarcophagus figurine ground oupeker geographic coordinate °n °e﻿ since archaeological excavation émile amélineau generally accepted site oupeker located umm el qaab site former royal necropolis thinite sovereign cemetery built foot mountain libyan desert ancient egyptian assimilated tomb king djer st dynasty areqheh abydean tomb osiris processional route perhaps canal connected temple osiris tomb numerous stele deceased declare wish pas site oupeker order receive day khoiak crown justification crown offered osiris symbol legitimacy eternity woven branch taken tree grew along sacred path probably date palm according demotic source soul ba osiris fluttered tree received food placed offering table orchard also housed vineyard order provide wine daily libation poured altar german egyptologist günther roeder proposed comparing garden vat hezepet germination take place figurine “sacred domain” hezep abydos flower vine vegetable grew dedicated osiris late period garden vat mystery would symbolically reflected domain oupeqer constituting within different temple reduced form osirian agricultural domain osireion abydos geographic coordinate °n °e﻿ osiréion abydos discovered unrivaled construction built seti rear funerary temple egyptian name beneficent menmaâtre osiris building dedicated osiris present cenotaph whose history meaning still debated however seems reproduce tomb osiris ancient egyptian imagined today gutted underground part remain originally main room supposed support artificial earthen mound tumulus planted one sacred tree osireion massive aim imitating archaic appearance temple early old kingdom however take plan royal hypogeums new kingdom characterized long hallway leading series funerary chamber central space evokes island surrounded canal island represents primordial mound surrounded water noun atumre creative solar god appeared axis island marked east west two staircase plunging canal center dug two rectangular cavity whose purpose perhaps accommodate simulacrum sarcophagus chest canopic vas case impossible imagine osiréion housed within osirian figurine created mystery renewed year osireion site karnak thebe allows u follow evolution ritual burial sacred figurine nearly millennium new kingdom lagid period osirian complex located inside enclosure amunre behind main temple dedicated demiurge amun made tomb first trace date back end new kingdom well several chapel built nd dynasty dedicated particular form god coptite osiris osiris ounennefer heart tree iched” “osiris sovereign eternity” etc osirian tomb karnak marked three successive phase architecture tending become complicated time end new kingdom figurine buried small individual mudbrick tomb miniature structure juxtaposed superimposed without coherent order saite period late period system miniature tomb continued installed inside construction made vaulted chamber built filled era architectural system dated brick stamped name nékao ii pharaoh end th century bc fragile fragment plaster figurine discovered inside effigy take form mummified osiris tomb must partially buried two largest vaulted chamber accessible two small arched door whole thing covered artificial mound planted one tree remains theban osireion saite tomb reign ptolemy iv building built took form vast catacomb rational organization tomb organized around three vaulted gallery includes miniature vault sort wall niche spread four level capacity catacomb estimated total vault remains theban osireion ptolemaic catacomb located ancient th century upper egypt city oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchos egyptian permadjaj coptic pemdjé arabic elbahnasa rich remains dating pharaonic grecoroman era since year hispanoegyptian mission endeavored excavate site local osiréion known egyptian name perkhef sanctuary appears meter high mound isolated desert surface remains leveled square structure fifteen meter side brick surrounding wall demarcated rectangular sacred space meter long meter wide small sacred lake dug northern corner underground structure sanctuary dug rock jebel accessible three staircase including main staircase open vestibule latter lead two room ten meter long first found empty second lay large limestone statue osiris made lying meter high would able stand erect vault room two long gallery run eastwest corridor dug rock wall masoned block white limestone imported another locality north south wall punctuated symmetrical niche size site looted sacred figurine longer niche broken scattered rubble one found intact individual tomb molded silt mixed bitumen barley grain wrapped linen strip broken figurine differ size appearance ithyphallic others smaller sheathed yellow stucco fishnet painted body seems figurine benefited funerary trousseau composed four child horus molded figurine miniature offering table fruit offering protective amulet pellet cone dedicated dangerous goddess niche inscription giving year burial mention ptolemaic king gathering archaeological data know sanctuary used th dynasty reign roman emperor hadrian pink granite tank released chance worker digging site ancient qift since vat kept egyptian museum cairo exhibited reference je dimension artifact text engraved show large garden vat intended ritual manufacture osirian figurine month khoiak object constitutes testimony worship paid priest coptos around bc osiris scene setting show theban pharaoh harsiesi nd dynasty offering earth barley osiriskhentymentyou chentayt abydos another scene son prince amonrasonter shown performing incense lustrations osiriskhentymentyou chentayt bousiris text degraded place seems taken ritual specific town bousiris twelve twentyfourth khoiak barley ceremonially germinated text examined jean yoyotte certain graphic us appears ritual basin preserve text composed new kingdom time god osiris sekeris yet assimilated among text two poem goddess chentayt much closer hathor isi another proof antiquity composition ritual mystery osiris preserved temple dendera archive witness rite true calendar khoiak ceremony indication provided contradict intersect appear different one holy city another likely certain act passed silence certain day even mentioned th th th th th th month therefore quite difficult draw complete rigorous chronological order operation despite difficulty certain fact appear clearly established mystery dedicated god osiris begin khoiak last nineteen day end month several place denderah text celebration take name festival deni also known “quarter moon festival” ritual therefore compared lunar phase festival deni moreover seventh day lunar month fourth hour day officiant prepare barley sand intended form figurine kentymentiou “divine lambeau” measured ingredient mixed placed gold mold everything placed garden tank two layer rush mixture soil barley watered every day khoiak allow seed germinate“as done busiris carried twelfth khoiak presence chentayt take place busiris barley hin sand four hin mean golden situla next chentayt reciting formula “pour water humors” protective god garden tank protect st khoiak comes” — ritual mystery book ii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville twelve khoiak third hour day book vi two day later fourteenth book iii book v begin preparation sacred dough used make figurine seker priest disguised anubis patronage statue chentayt isi weigh mix various ingredient prescribed text collection set three recipe book iii book vi book vii base preparation consists earth date pulp myrrh incense herb pulverized precious stone water drawn sacred lake temple material worked give everything shape egg ball covered sycamore branch remains ductile humid placed silver vase sixteenth month“as fourteenth khoiak great processional festival athribite nome city called iriheb content mold seker made day content venerable vase mummy called composite mummy compound god started swaddler athribite nome day four priest busiris sanctuary chentayt four god embalming workshop heliopolis — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville fifteenth khoiak decoration neb ânkh master life sarcophagus intended seker figurine previous year kept room temple past year carried end month figurine permanently buried necropolis coffin made sycamore wood one cubit two palm long cm three palm two finger wide cm take form mummy human head arm crossed chest holding crook whip inscription engraved painted dark green color indicate royal title osiris “the horus stop massacre two land king upper lower egypt osiris master busiris presides west great god master abydos master sky earth infernal world water mountain whole orb sun” book v “we bring sarcophagus divine matter applied dyeing make eye color hair lapis lazuli — ritual mystery book vii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauvillewhile seker figurine cast another coffin made cedrus wood placed twentyfourth khoiak day preparation mereh shepes “the venerable ointment” begin requires cooking eighteenth twentysecond month “on th day mix ointment th cook th cook th cook st cook nd remove fire denderah collection give ointment main ingredient asphalt substance however known thanks inscription temple edfu pitch lotus essence incense wax terebinth resin aromatics first procession opening sanctuary sixteenth khoiak probably first third hour day funeral festival oun per take place literally “opening house” precisely “opening sanctuary” sacred dough intended produce new seker taken procession temple cemetery old figurine rest “valley” say local necropolis vase contains material placed atourit reliquary chest gilded wood cm long cm wide topped statuette anubis lying jackal chest transported small sacred boat cm long provided four stretcher allow carried arm men book v “at opening sanctuary go guardian anubis … sixteenth twentyfourth khoiak walk temple divine necropolis enters travel valley four obelisk divine shrine child horus front well ensign god — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville casting seker later third hour day temple priest shaved head take silver vase since twelve fourteen khoiak ball dough used make seker figurine rested vase placed lap statue nut celestial goddess considered mother osiris two piece gold mold seker brought placed ground rush mat mold brushed oil sacred dough poured inside mold filled closed placed sheltered bed covered pavilion nineteenth month book vi shorn priest sits stool moringa wood front covered panther skin loop real lapis lazuli head vase placed hand say “i horus come mighty one bring thing father place vase knee great one give birth god bring mold seker … anoint body sweet moringa oil place content vase inside front part mold ground rush mat content vase placed rear part mold placed — ritual mystery book vi col extract translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville sixteenth nineteenth khoiak symbolic reconstitution dismembered body osiris take place room temple mold seker filled sacred paste rest golden funeral bed measuring one cubit two palm length cm head turned towards north threshold room guarded two statuette hu sia personification word omniscience creator god atumre bed placed heneket nemmyt room long wide high made black ebony wood plated gold room placed rectangular pavilion comprising fourteen wooden column linked together papyrus mats“as canvascovered pavilion made coniferous wood consists fourteen column erected ground top base made bronze covering papyrus mat plant surround length seven cubit cm width three cubit cm height eight cubit cm covered fabric inside — ritual mystery book vi col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville nineteenth khoiak third hour day seker figurine came mold rested since sixteenth month order dry harden perfectly placed twentythird month base full sun however crack regularly anointed perfumed water“we remove god inside mold place gold base exposed sun anointed dry myrrh water every day twentythird khoiak come — ritual mystery book vii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville twentieth khoiak eighth hour night weaving piece fabric intended serve funeral linen sacred figurine begin work continues whole day end next day twentyfirst time“as piece oneday cloth made twentyfirst twentyfirst khoiak twentyfour hour work eighth hour night eighth hour night length nine cubit cm width three cubit cm … rope binding jersey made piece fabric one day like linen shroud two companion — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville unmolding khentiamentiu since twelfth month shape khentiamentiu figurine mixture sand barley rested mold made two gold piece soil watered every day cause seed germinate twentyfirst khoiak young shoot appeared two side part figurine unmolded two block thus formed joined using incensebased resin four cord everything left dry sun fifth hour day done “divine lambeau” rested garden vat khentiamentiu“we remove god inside mold day put dry myrrh deben part composed place two side top bind four cord papyrus namely one throat leg one heart ball white crown according model expose sun day — ritual mystery book vi col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville funerary cloth seker twentyfirst khoiak day piece fabric woven provide seker figurine funerary linen funerary linen symbolically linked ideal duration human mummification established according herodotus exactly seventy day duration modeled embalming anubis dismembered body osiris period corpse rested bath natron washed wrapped strips“as twentyfirst khoiak day work cloth day fiftieth day embalming workshop day counting ten make one day worth fifty day embalming workshop — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauvillethe mummification seker extends symbolically sixteenth khoiak putting sacred paste mold twentythird khoiak end drying figurine unmolded nineteenth ie duration seven day corresponding sixty ten day attributed consolidation body osiris x twentyfirst day fifth khoiak ritual process therefore related fiftieth day x twentysecond khoiak eighth hour day nautical procession take place sacred lake located within temple ground celebration involves thirtyfour papyrus boat model one cubit two palm long cm transport statue god horus thoth anubis isi nephthys four child horus twentynine minor deity flotilla illuminated total three hundred sixtyfive lamp symbolize day year text ritual mystery expressly mention possible navigation aim reenact funeral procession osiris presence boat plant figurine khentymentyou passage water mark god entry world deceased end navigation divine statue wrapped fabric placed shentyt “mysterious chapel” fact room temple dedicated osirian mystery figurine seker kept year list god participating navigation mentioned book iii column however incomplete due ravage time“to sail twentysecond khoiak eighth hour day many lamp beside well god guard god designated name … applies thirtyfour boat alike — ritual mystery book ii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville several papyrus ptolemaic era inform u hymn chanted twentytwo twentysix khoiaks funeral lament intended hasten osiris return life introductory note report implemented festival osiris occasion outing procession country celebrated sanctuary egypt order glorify soul ba maintain integrity corpse make soul shine hymn pronounced twin sister isi nephthys “two kite birds” embodied two young beautiful officiant “we must go look two woman pure body given birth shaved girded head … tambourine hand whose name inscribed shoulder identify isi nephthys” lament extend five day question like “stances two oiselles” others limited one day case twentyfifth khoiak two officiant sit ground front leaf temple courtyard head bowed ewer bread hand priestess take turn speaking pair mourn osiris call soul come inhabit substitute body sacred figurine perfect young man come domain long long time since last looked … perfect young man left prematurely rejuvenates prematurely … may come u former appearance kiss without moving away u beautiful face arouses immense love whose body numb swaddled come peace master contemplate two sister unite body even though longer activity …the evil reduced state come existence head bent back … may roam heaven earth former appearance bull two sister … — excerpt ceremony two oisellesmilan translation pascal vernus face seker twentythird khoiak third hour day seker figurine placed granite base face painted remains sun two hour allow color dry placed mat reeds“its face painted yellow ocher jaw turquoise eye like inlaid eye wig real lapis lazuli crook flagellum color real precious stone expose sun two hour — ritual mystery book vi col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville amulet seker day final preparation funeral linen statuette took place fabric intended swaddling purified dried one cloth four son horus painted embalming wine cooked seker wrapped funerary wrapping magically protected fourteen protective amulets“we wrap four strip made funeral fabric anoint ointment put … front part wrap cloth anoint ointment put amulet fourteen amulet prescribed “rule embalming” — ritual mystery book vii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville list amulet given book v four child horus carnelian four djed pillar lapis lazuli baboon lion basalt figurine horus lapis lazuli figurine thoth jasper two oudjat eye lapis lazuli dendera list engraved doorway entrance third western chapel osiréion however indicates ideal list one hundred four amulet figure obviously theoretical practice due small size figurine even number fourteen respected seems free choice left officiant large list two statuette discovered excavation theban region louis lortet claude gaillard one appeared scarab five wax uraeus four child horus beetle second procession opening sanctuary morning twentyfourth khoiak funerary festival oun per “opening sanctuary” held second time already celebrated first time morning sixteenth khoiak swaddled seker figurine placed portable boat leadership anubis led procession temple surroundings necropolis ritual mystery book v seker funeral ninth hour night twentyfourth khoiak figurine seker swaddled day locked cedar wooden chest placed shetyt heret “upper tomb” probably room temple dendera place likelihood second western chapel osireion two niche built wall rest twentyfourth khoiak following year last year figurine benefit new wrapping new funeral rite intended revive placed sycamore branch portable boat remains thirtieth month awaiting final burial sacred necropolis ritual mystery book vi “remove divine effigy previous year cut envelope apply four strip shroud divine jersey god buried according burial rite appear book burial placed sycamore branch door room busiris upper inside reliquary chest last day khoiak come — ritual mystery book vi col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauvillethe night khentiamentiu “divine lambeau” previous year anointed swaddled new funeral linen placed separately two sycamore chest definitively buried thirtieth month book ii book vi sacred figurine late period time interval burial three new figurine twentyfour khoiak temple room period one year final burial three old one thirty khoiak specially dedicated one week seven day figurine seker image god osiris placed branch sycamore sacred tree dedicated nut goddess personification night sky mother osiris state rest imbued strong symbolism day counting month seven day represent seven month god gestation mother womb“as seven day god pass festival burial without buried twentyfourth khoiak last day month god rest branch sycamore gate busiris upper seven day remained womb mother nut conceived day month branch sycamore represent nut — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville sign medou day twentyfifth khoiak prescribed take sign medou tomb shentyt kept year kept twentyninth khoiak definitively buried necropolis following day sign medou sacred stick size man topped head human animal divinity represent practically important egyptian god endowed similar sign procession sign carried priest front divine statue sacred boat case sign miniature belong previous year figurine funerary material removed temporary tomb accompany expired sacred figurine necropolis buried“we enter mysterious chapel twentyfifth khoiak emblem previous year carried mysterious chapel placed support reliquary chest th day — ritual mystery book vii col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville “earth drawing” ceremony ceremony khebesta “drawing earth” closely linked judgment dead tribunal afterlife repression enemy likely deceased mummification rite ended staged judgment nighttime vigil life deceased examined detail favorable judgment restored social respectability making worthy ancestor according chapter eighteen book dead ceremony drawing earth originated favorable judgment rendered osiris judge bousiris clearly also rite slaughter linked offering rituals“o thoth justifies osiris enemy may justify n enemy great tribunal great excavation khebes ta bousiris night earth dug khebes ta blood osiris justified enemy “the great tribunal great excavation bousiris” mean acolyte set came transformed goat killed presence god blood flowed given inhabitant bousiris — book dead extract chap translation jan assmann papyrus dated early ptolemaic period ceremonial glorification osiris describes funerary rite performed twentyfifth khoiak night twentyfifth twentysixth commemoration beneficial act god osiris anubis play leading role mummifier thoth ritualistic priest guaranteeing proper conduct ceremony intended vivify soul osiris “… disaster occurred first time holy place built bousiris mummification make smell pleasant made anubis embalming office ouabet order perform rite sister nephthys lighted torch entrance holy place set chased away like ousha bird anubis left territory embalming house slay enemy mourner made lamentation resound son horus defeated rebel throwing bond set god stood groaning great misfortune befallen raised complaint sky thoseonthehorizon could hear grieving goddess lament saw bad one done thoth came stood entrance embalming office chanting ritual formula enlivens soul ba every day — glorification osiris excerpt translation jeanclaude goyon exposition ritual continues discussing action taken horus son heir osiris ritual opening mouth osiris proclaimed victorious enemies“the great digging earth carried sent th day th month flood went night child horus carrying horus preceding rope hand path prepared divine father servant god purified open mouth ritual opening mouth chief readerpriest ouâb priest book glorification hand recite sem priest open mouth saying seker boat henu justified enemy fallen — glorification osiris excerpt translation jan assmann seker onion festival new kingdom night twentyfifth twentysixth khoiak rite based offering onion took place theban necropolis netjeryt festival “festival divinization” onion common food ancient egypt plant one vegetable offering delivered pellmell god temple netjeryt festival offering specific come form artistically braided necklace ritual take place chapel private tomb rite known within circle royal family nightfall priest ka family go funeral chapel make libation water fumigation incense dawn twentysixth khoiak living made onion necklace necropolis tied around neck well braid handle order able transport sanctuary dedicated god seker night vigil ancestor assimilated seker purified curative virtue onion popular mind considered one effective mean evil eye disease figurine seker thereby deceased assimilated previously undergone ritual opening mouth definitively blessed breath life presentation onion necklace represents gift new protective luminous heart although twentysixth khoiak mentioned ritual mystery day important famous month city across country procession commemorate rebirth god seker mummified falcon reborn regenerated falcon national ritual origin ancient procession memphis peher since old kingdom dawn day henou boat god seker placed sled order complete tour city wall carried officiant acclamation joyful crowd new kingdom certain ritual dedicated seker merged mystery osiris month khoiak indeed abydos decorative program thefuneral temple seti seems rather suggest existence two independent ceremony khoiak one dedicated seker osiris comprising procession departing religious building different interior chapel longer case late period rite seker intimately integrated osirian mystery edfu imitation memphis procession follows peheret corridor located temple horus interior side surrounding wall medinet habu procession along wall temple dendera ceremony held roof terrace temple hathor eastern chapel reach western chapel osiréion upper terrace evoking memphite wall journey setian animal red bull probably wax miniature massacred symbolize victory force good evil arrival boat god sekerosiris covered praise doua ousir numerous local form mentioned bull young man falcon phoenix uraeus etc“on twentyfourth khoiak procession osiris night stopping lake pavilion rite going temple stopping place twentyfifth khoiak twelfth hour day arrives procession osiris presides west reaching temple horus stopping place eternity twentysixth khoiak procession seker first light temple horus make libation return temple stop procession hathor mistress iounet ennead roof great hall unite disc stop sanctuary one night two day — calendar hypostyle temple hathor translation sylvie cauville khoiak commemoration end thirtieth last day month ninth hour night three figurine cast previous year taken necropolis definitively buried tomb consists crypt located sacred mound planted one balanites thorny tree producing fruit similar date day break ceremony straightening djed pillar held fetish associated funerary god seker ptah osiris assimilated latter backbone exact nature djed attested iconography since prehistoric time known stylized sheaf cereal delimbed tree trunk however know fetish evokes notion stability duration pillar flared foot head surmounted four flat element apparently fitted one top often djed anthropomorphized eye arm dawn thirtieth khoiak large djed pillar erected pedestal pharaoh either alone assisted priest ruler playing role horus son heir osiris well triumphant set god murderer ceremony perhaps originated city busiris whose egyptian name djedou written hieroglyphically one two djed also attested early memphis connection ptah“as last day khoiak erection pillar djed busiris day burial osiris mound plant nebeh crypt balanites day relic osiris brought burial osiris erect pillar djed erect wrapped — ritual mystery book v col translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville mind ancient egyptian plant mineral living being animal human emanation god several myth explain origin thing saliva tear blood divine sperm fell ground event occurred life god month khoiak priest water barley “osirisvegants” mix various ingredient intended form dough sokar long complex process take place great work assimilated gestation god osiris womb mother nut ingredient weighed carefully meticulously presence statue chentayt associated precise order product mythical information part divinity emanates mixing ingredient thus amount connecting myth together invoking divine power encouraging act earth wellbeing egyptian people ritual water along barley earth water flooding nile one main ingredient used composition sacred figurine nine day twelve twentyfirst khoiak khentiamentiu regularly watered order make shoot germinate go divine shred sokar dough made ductile incorporating date water furthermore throughout unfolding mystery water play major role libation offered osiris god invoked high point sacred day ritual water drawn officiant sacred lake sanctuary canal near temple show entire egyptian nation participates ceremony frieze base osireion dendera west median chapel show procession fortytwo hapi genius one nome kingdom performs libation altar laden food libation bear specific name flood flood canal specific nome example “the hebebet flood ougy canal rd nome upper egypt “the âka flood overflowing bâh canal ” th nome lower egypt libation intended osiris presented pharaoh order hasten reconstitution dismembered osirian body thereby stimulate rebirth plant world brings country good harvest religious harmony social peacethey alive stand carrying water renewal invigorate heart libation receive bread hand eat … make cereal grow abundance spread across country supply granary produce provide sanctuary largely provide place worship food flood altar guardian god supply offering table bread meat beer establish egypt power horus bringing product earth sanctuary festival last without end eternally rite fixed forever osiris … beautiful face pleased son love king upper lower egypt master two land — osireion de dédérah procession nome egypt translation sylvie cauville nilotic calendar ancient egyptian people farmer whose survival depended growth cereal wheat barley sorghum country almost rainless fertility field solely linked annual flooding nile agricultural land irrigated complex system canal dike distribute water equitably possible soil renewed fertilized annual supply silt clay deposit carried water african great lake every year flood watched anxiety insufficient contrary great scarcity even famine follow flood begin midjune second half july water swell powerful current end september flood reached highest level agricultural land submerged village built highest point still emerge like island month water stagnates level decrease quickly december–january nile returned bed however water continue fall may–june river experience low water reducing half ordinary width “mysteries osiris” ritual take place khoiak straddling month october november fourth month flood season day flood already beginning field still soggy remain uncultivable seeding cultivable plot begin midtobi early december egyptian priest endowed osiris agrarian characteristic life death rebirth osiris mapped three season egyptian calendar akhet “the flood” péret “the recession” chemou “the drought” agrarian cycle rebirth vegetation sign rebirth osiris rebirth possible return flood crucial phenomenon personified hapi obese god provider food lymph osiris according ancient egyptian annual cycle nile alternation flood recession find existence murder osiris flow lymph signifying coming flood according stele erected abydos ramses iv osiris murdered god hapi provider food one same“you osiris hapi high spread beginning season god men live flow emanate — large abydenian stele ramesses iv translation benoit claus osiris hapi two cyclical deity converge thanks element redjou egyptian term strictly speaking untranslatable designates liquid come divine body frenchspeaking egyptologist however restore word redjou plural redjouou “flow” “exudation” “humours” “lymphs” osiris redjouou bodily fluid resulting putrefaction corpse concern particularly morbid excretion intestine escaping anus flowed water nile case hapi redjouou fertile element flood silt suspended water dendera day mystery flow osiris compared grain barley used make sacred figurine canopic procession god min coptite nome brings osiris vase containing putrefied intestine godwords said min master coptite nome great god take place iounet make father live water renewal protects belly containing divine humor “i come osiris take belly containing grain barley abundant humor body bring entrails humor cereal brought heart put place — procession canops translation sylvie cauvillethe mummification osiris isi signifies stopping flow lymph damming cessation flooding decline renewal plant throughout egyptian valley agricultural land cultivable field immediately sown farmer preparation next cereal harvest according chapter sarcophagus text redjou lymph osiris resulting putrefaction divine corpse origin flood“come let u gather bones” come let u put body part back order come let u make barrier let remain inert custody flow lymph blessed one fill canal form name river osiris live osiris let completely inert one side rise — text sarcophagus chap word isi nephthys translation paul barguet rise flood egyptian thought head leg osiris famous divine relic ptolemaic era tradition attribute preservation left leg island bigeh place located opposite temple isi philæ tomb joint cult paid leg ba soul osiris relic flood nile supposed spring however leg also assimilated moon considered poetic way leg “daughter leg” hand bigeh basoul osiris also assimilated moon strong symbolism led many nome develop theology around leg osiris dendera fact reflected decorative frieze known procession canopics less eight nome fortytwo claim relic additionally number textual allusion suggest osiris lunar god influence flooding nile bringing fertility prosperity egypt according plutarch egyptian thought osiris symbol lunar world star favorable reproduction animal growth plant thanks fertilizing humidifying light also add made symbolic connection flood phase moonthey also admit phase moon certain connection flooding nile fact greatest height water elephantine twentyeight cubit number equal day moon appears take complete revolution month smallest height mendès xois six cubit corresponds six day moon reach first quarter average height occurs around memphis fourteen cubit flood normal corresponds day take moon reach full height — plutarch isi osiris § translation mario meunier ritual vegetating osiris rite month khoiak rebirth osiris celebrated plant growth germinating barley grain previously mixed earth placed gold mummiform mold khentymentyou figurine several day twelve twentyfirst khoiak soil regularly watered officiant young shoot appear growth plant suddenly interrupted plant figurine embalmed germination rite current state knowledge attested funerary domain since first intermediate period th dynasty customary place ceramic dish pierced hole seeded sprouted barley grain royal tomb later new kingdom practice continued another form certain royal tomb “vegetative beds” discovered grain spread canvas stretched frame vaguely reproducing silhouette osiris five copy known size bed varies cm horemheb cm tutankhamun difference show time th dynasty rite yet fixed standardized late period ritual reached tomb individual various mold discovered hollowedout rectangular brick reproduce hollow silhouette osiris remains potting soil cereal show brick reserved germination rite nutrient cereal rite “vegetating osiris” reflection egyptian theological thought late old kingdom pyramid text god nepri personifies grain seed raw material bread staple food nilotic population later middle kingdom text sarcophagus demonstrate osiris associated nepri also took form grain cereal however grain longer seen food also illustration potential plant life long period dormancy seed indeed wake contact water germinate easily phenomenon germination compared myth make horus posthumous son osiris born coupling isi mummy god even agree explanation find crude plutarch report egyptian say osiris buried grain sown buried earth god reappears life sprout begin grow” isi notice pregnant horus month sowing begin isi osiris chapter sarcophagus text life come body osiris compared sheaf plant coming grain loaf bread made nourish men offering god temple ancestor necropolises“n sheaf life come osiris grows lip osiris give life men deifies god spiritualizes blessed nourishes master kaou master product make pakou bread blessed make living prosper strengthens body living … love n heaven earth countryside isi profitable horus friend horus n life osiris — chapter sarcophagus text extract translation paul barguet ritual sowing book v ritual mystery osiris provides detail regarding cultivation barley wheat flax used officiant khoiak ceremony plant harvested intended germination khentiamentiu flour kefen bread weaving funerary fabric used swaddling figurine pain kefen centimeter long flavored twelve herb sort synthesis sixteen disjointed member osiris cooked name member engraved dough namely head foot leg arm heart chest thigh eye fist finger phallus spine ear neck ram head ourerit word unknown meaning bread placed silver box placed head sokar figurine accompany burial sowing rite held khoiak following month twelfth nineteenth tobi text first describes surface area sacred field four aroures place particular emphasis plow used plowing plot young sower throw seed furrow seed immediately buried ground thanks passage plow follows closely scene often depicted tomb book dead illustrate cycle life harrowing grain carried plow pulled two cow whose plow made tamarisk wood share black bronze tamarisk sacred tree often associated osiris according plutarch body osiris carried water coast byblos trunk tamarisk would enveloped remains order hide protect isi osiris § according british egyptologist john gardner wilkinson holy city osirian tomb diospolis parva tree chosen shade tumulus containing underground sepulcherwe bring pair black cow whose yoke made ima wood plow made tamarisk share black bronze man behind hand plow cow kherit cow merit obeying voice clothes made green fabric headband surround head child precedes throw seed juvenile loop attached head tunic also made green fabric two cow wearing headband chief ritualist priest recites fertilize country formula accordance ritual festival — ritual mystery osiris book v translation émile chassinat reviewed sylvie cauville sand divine necropolis three recipe set ritual mystery osiris first book iii specifies nature origin earth used ingredient figurine laconically text indicates “grainy earth divine necropolis ”these necropolis iaout netjeryout literally “divine mounds” clearly sacred place figurine previous year buried book v text indeed speaks “crypt balanites divine necropolis one enters mystical work previous year” origin earth certain nature remains debated translation word ta sher “grainy earth” based certain data second word attested elsewhere however clearly epithet intended clarify nature earth necropolis question located edge desert seems quite likely earth used dry sandy land whatever real nature eye egyptian officiant particular mystical virtue drawn holy place taken myth sacred territory papyrus salt ritual preservation life dated th century bc offer detail land used manufacture figurine osirissokar magical text incomplete difficult analyze probably ritual performed beginning year seventeenth twentyfourth month thout ritual implemented perhaps conjuration intended ward sudden death assassination pharaoh mythological point view papyrus evokes murder osiris well cosmic disorder resulted stopping luminary sky grief god month khoiak ceremonial requires creation figurine osiris many product come play author text undoubtedly abydean priest great erudition postulate effectiveness product earth mineral plant derives mythological origin product born emanation saliva sweat tear blood god ra geb isi nephthys set period trouble caused murder osiris two type land distinguished noble land resulting tear grieving god cursed land resulting blood set murderer pursued horus son osiris avenger fatherthe land temple primordial stone heliopolis land letopolis ra sat inside sweat fell land tchenenet memphis ptah sat inside sweat fell land city fish abydos land temple food osiris sat within sweat fell land two cave city elephant elephantine … land oxyrhinque ouabouab land city gold ombos land sou land oasis barieh land oasis kargeh blood set fell inside area — extract papyrus salt iii iii v v translation andré fermat osirian fruit granular earth date pulp second major ingredient sokar figurine beginning egyptian civilization date palm seen mediator underground terrestrial world natural state palm grows hot area desert far floodprone land bank nile however root plunge deep ground never run water also permanent contact water table considered ancient egyptian manifestation noun chaotic ocean origin fruit mature july september time nile flood palm therefore provides food water cover field refreshing etesian wind blow symbolically arrival date mark end hot season characterized low flow river end food reserve according jumilhac papyrus date palm plant manifestation osirian lymphsas entrance house palm tree lymph grew palm tree place flood divine lymph place may double country flooded thanks support inhabitant duat men — papyrus jumilhac viii translation frédéric servajean offering osiris ptolemaic temple rich cultic representation pharaoh shown making offering date osiris gesture reserved osiris alone present represented form small box topped pyramid containing compressed date presenting fruit sovereign magically restores osiris lost lymph help resurrected isi god restitution lymph date crucial rejoin body murdered god engine cycle nature continues function eternal movement loss restitutionpresent container date take emanation coming geb secret substance coming body agglomerate protecting — word pharaoh osirisi fertilize branch tree supply sanctuary — response osiris pharaoh metaphor divine essence sokar figurine contains twentyfour precious product taken mineral world number × multiple three symbol plurality constitutes image countless rich hidden bowel desert mountain border nile valley text pyramid appears egyptian perceived mineral metal also medicinal plant glow star star sun moon planet cosmic cycle proof existence divine empirical knowledge universe acquired developed since prehistory expressed religious funerary text metaphorical poetic form hymn divine force described essence mineral extracted underworld passage bremmerrhind papyrus contains description osiris form rejuvenated grace mineral stanza addressed revivified god two extra playing role isi nephthys twentysecond twentysix khoiak abydos god god mekaty nothing exists apart hair turquoise… return field turquoise hair lapis lazuli belongs lapis lazuli lapis lazuli hair color limb upper egyptian copper bone fashioned silver new child vertebra turquoise scent hair incense arises hair lapis lazuli geb carry offering place first god begat — stance two bird translation claire lalouette mineral mythology egypt land contrast nile valley constitutes thriving oasis within desert west libyan desert territory god set deeply hostile east mountain arabian desert concentrate majority mineral resource location mining operation profoundly influenced egyptian thought despite hostility desert egyptian hesitate exploit resource many hymn associate deity mining activity min coptos perceived protector caravan route hathor described dendera lady turquoise amethyst nemty th nome upper egypt watch production silver ore horus edfu assigned production gold mineral component sokar figurine reflect set metaphor product used occupies precise place egyptian thought solar gold lunar silver form couple first flesh god second bone turquoise light lunar blue lapis lazuli dark blue evoking night sky form another complementary pair mineral duo evokes two alternative aspect moon visibility invisibility great goddess sometimes take feature isi chentayt mourning wife sometimes feature sensual hathor divine power evoked metal used forge cutting weapon iron copper dangerous deity also evoked flint obsidian claw mineral astral light poetic religious framework egyptian forged close relationship world mineral overall functioning universe coming desert east mineral linked cyclical appearance star moving sky east west sun moon star thirtysix decanal constellation two kind opposing complementary light distinguished active celestial light star illuminate subject cycle time inactive underground light sparkling mineral eternal immutable star limited luminous lifespan appear eastern horizon die western horizon star disappear underworld come contact mineral draw lasting light regenerated contact star begin new journey sky process osiris regeneration integrated vast symbolic discourse reconstitution dismembered body compared unification egyptian territory made fortytwo region also reconstitution lunar star fourteen day ascending phase desired goal agrarian prosperity country linked annual return nile flood fortytwo nome month khoiak ritual recomposition body osiris part egyptian conception national geography one hand country whole dual kingdom upper lower egypt numerous region city make relic part body osiris basis provincial specificity according certain religious monograph papyrus jumilhac provincial temple established close link relic mythical history province concerned abydos head philæ left leg mendes phallus etc however strong local anchorage prevent relic perceived piece unique body ensemble osirian rite khoiak part national dynamic relic purpose joining reassembled body osiris unifying perspective recomposition osiris body compared process unification egyptian kingdom pharaoh latter like valiant horus replaces isi quest disjointed member murdered god osireion dendera political process illustrated canopic procession pharaoh lead procession fortytwo relic bearer towards father osiris body osiris clearly compared egyptian territory relic seen capital one fortytwo provinces“i bring divine court upper egypt entirety divine relic complete place bring capital nome body part divine shred body secret representation divine relic god nome form … bring fundamental god lower egypt gathered together body part assembled templeofgold bring capital nome body ka bring name soul shadow material form image capital nome — procession canopic glass two speech pharaoh translation sylvie cauville centipede leg ancient egyptian deified scolopendre centipede propitiate animal whose bite could dangerous human egyptian specimen scolopendra adhœrens large measuring almost centimeter pyramid text appears heliopolis animal venerated name sepa egyptian priest noticed reality centipede fortytwo leg divided twentyone pair play assonance animal linked osiris phenomenon flooding nile egyptian language root basis word sepa centipede sepat nome sepy flap close metathesis word psed spine allegorical way fortytwo leg centipede came evoke fortytwo shred scattered throughout fortytwo nome kingdom spine osiris nile link different part old kingdom union fortytwo part took form royal palanquin sedan chair hoisted shoulder twenty bearer two leg chief carrier give fortytwo human leg intended convey pharaoh solemn festival late period sepa divinity assigned rising water nile particular kherâha ancient cairo mythical cave opened year order raise flood unifying lifegiving function sepa led close rapprochement anubis god mummifiers osirismoon ancient egypt best known celebrated sun god ra moon also hold important place mythological thought cycle subject numerous prescientific observation analysis egyptian language moon ioh word masculine gender several male deity thus personified nocturnal star famous thoth khonsou min discreet douaou “morning” lunar aspect osiris appear form discreet allusion pyramid text new kingdom assimilation osiris moon explicit belief appears stele erected abydos ramesses ivyou moon sky grow young wish grow old want go drive away darkness anointed clothed ennead incantation uttered glorify majesty … — hymn osiris abydean stele ramesses iv ptolemaic era osirismoon integrated complex syncretistic theological system osirian chapel dendera place ritual mystery take place rebirth god osiris linked moonstand evening boat see body moon time filling wedjateye fifteenth day stand straight jackal god rejoice either side moon light shine burning taurus rise alive eastern horizon door heaven open see stand boat soul east adore monkey honor praise stand bull cow impregnate lady heart rejoice night stand whose ray bright light darkness make night light earth ray — osiréion de dédérah translation sylvie cauville filling wedjat eye ancient egyptian lunar month began morning moon ceased visible shortly new moon second day crescent reappears sky fifteenth full moon common mythological symbol oudjat eye “eye horus” waning phase moon greatly concerned egyptian theologian disappearance star perceived cosmic disorder caused hostile force also rite developed bring back full moon avoid total destruction star egyptian reluctant talk disappearance moon appears phenomenon perceived among thing injury inflicted seth one horus eye throwing garbage face gloss chapter book dead philæ pharaoh offer myrrh fifteen deity exchange promise fill eye mineral plant exercise power dendera two row chapel osiréion symbolically joined staircase fourteen step leading terrace pronaos step represents one day ascending phase moon staircase represented ceiling inside pronaos fourteen step climbed fourteen deity direction holy oudjat worshiped thoth eye represented complete lunar disk placed papyrusshaped column lunar staircase fourteen step temple hathor dendera fourteen osirian relic egyptian left u several list part dismembered body osiris latter present numerous difference inconsistency reflection theological tradition one school thought established mystical equivalence reconstitution moon fourteen day ascending phase fourteen disjointed limb osiris story greek plutarch dismemberment osiris body took place strong lunar contextbut typhon seth one night hunting moonlight found recognized body cut fourteen piece scattered side — plutarch isi osiris § translation mario meunierfurther § plutarch indicates seth found body chance hunting pig swamp delta assertion consistent egyptian source say eye horus say moon injured seth transformed black pig chap book dead plutarch also report detail regarding assimilation osiris lunar cycleit seventeenth day month athyr egyptian mythology place death osiris time full moon particularly bright complete … hand say osiris lived others reigned twentyeight year number twentyeight corresponds day see light moon time take travel circle revolution … dismemberment osiris fourteen piece indicates said covertly number day moon decrease full moon new moon — plutarch isi osiris § translation mario meunier reconstruction osiris month khoiak mystique number fourteen appears quite naturally implementation ritual aimed making small sacred effigy ingredient making sacred paste sokar statuette measured using fourteen container called debeh small utensil various shape correspond fourteen disjointed limb osiris container made gold silver bronze depending importance given member represent reunion content single sacred vase symbolizes rejoining body osiris like isi gathered together shred scattered set book v ritual mystery dendera indicates fourteen utensil represent head foot arm heart chest thigh eye fist finger phallus spine two ear nape neck two leg also dendera relief osireion indicates pharaoh prototype priest associated quest member reconstitution osiris elaboration sacred effigy scene show table fourteen box containing substitute relic placed process recomposition symbolized reclining figure emblem nefertem memphis always accompanies procession sokar morning khoiak sovereign compare horussaaset son isi responsible leading quest father relic four corner country finding member king indicates took dendera order reconstruct body chapel osiréion go south go north go east im heading west search father divine relic protect left leg nome ombite install place sanctuarywhereosirisisburied protect chest cavity apollonopolite nome bring golden temple protect jaw latopolite nome give sanctuairedechentayt protect right leg lybic tentyrite nome give templeofmummification protect phallus diospolitan nome bring osirian chapel iounet defend head god thinite nome install alabaster bedside temple sokar protect amset chashotep place place sanctuary swaddle take care hapi antaeopolitan nome take burial place carry douamoutef upper lycopolitan nome bring sanctuary great god prepared burial carry kebehsenouf lower lycopolitan nome install mummificationworkshop iounet carry heart god athribite nome bring tarer raise scapula letopolite nome take place placederê carry spine busirite nome install place templeofgold extend arm carrying rib metelite nome make rest place iounet — sylvie cauville dendara osirian chapel presentation pharaoh fourteen osirian relic horussonofisis regreening egypt symbolism number fourteen found dendera third eastern chapel osireion harendotes horus protects father recites fourteen hymn many sacred boat twentysecond khoiak sacred figurine made city placed portable boat preparation nautical procession held sacred lake temple different boat represent main city country namely memphis heliopolis thebe abydos busiris elkab bouto coptos dendera edfou fourteen hymn central theme multiple aspect personality osiris osiris moon osiris flood osiris king verse begin formula “stand up” order provoke awakening osiris hymn perhaps recited priest first phase lunar cycle ascending period recovery osiris say revivification encouraged series word linking rebirth flooding greening nilotic bank agrarian renaissance main benefit osiris expected entire egyptian people third boat barque fusion stand boat fusion melting sepa led among soul heliopolis stand whose procession great heliopolis kherâha brings flood flood country ka… stand cave melting escort flood make plant country grow straighten den place worship rejoice come flood measured measuring instrument straighten time continually time day alive fourth boat reliquary reliquary heken underground chapel busiris stand straight party pavilion festive pavilion covered reed arranges harpooneer enemy stand straight party pavilion festive pavilion covered flower harassing one rebel place stand straight party pavilion make plant grow make country green vine stock stand straight party pavilion papyrus pavilion make sanctuary god throne stand straight party pavilion rejuvenated time make plant fresh plant vegetable greener stand straight party festival rothenflug come make flower grow sight — sylvie cauville dendara osirian chapel extract fourteen hymn addressed harendotès father osiris