Who's Who in Ancient Egypt

by Michael Rice

In this compelling guide and sourcebook, renowned author and scholar Michael Rice introduces us to the inhabitants of ancient Egypt, allowing us to encounter their world through their own eyes. Here are the great and the famous, from Cleopatra to Tutankhamun, but here also are the grave-robber Amenwah, Nakht the gardener and Sebaster the hairdresser.
The whole arena of Egyptian life is expressed in these pages. Not only are there nearly a thousand biographies, there is also a chapter on 'Encountering Ancient Egyptians', sections on kingship and on religion, a chronology, a glossary and maps. A combination of erudite scholarship and a clear and accessible style, this volume opens up the world of the ancient Egyptians to all those with an interest in the subject in a way that has never been done before.

Genres: History, Egyptology, Egypt, Reference, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 1999

About the author

Michael Rice is a specialist in the ancient history of the Middle east . also he is well known for his work in the planning and designing of museums throughout the Arabian peninsula. He is also the highly respected author of Egypt's Making (1990), Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf (1994) and Egypt's Legacy (1997)

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this in full, and I probably won't ever attempt to read it in full. However, it's spent most of 2011 and 2012 sitting on my bedside cabinet, within easy reach for me to grab it and quickly look up someone.

It would be easy to nitpick the biographies that make up the text, as there's not a lot of room for depth or even to address theories. However, considering the scope of the book, the biographies are meant to short snapshots of these figures and to expect more would be wrong. I have been alternatively surprised by some of the individuals who didn't make it in, and surprised by the individuals that did make it in.

If nothing else, it's a handy repository of Ancient Egyptian names.

[Herneith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference for ancient Egyptian personages!

[Tabitha Rucker]

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