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Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt: The Erotic Secrets of the Forbidden Papyri
• The first book to fully explore the sexual philosophy and practices of the ancient Egyptians
• Lavishly illustrated with erotic scenes from papyri that have long been hidden from the public
• Clarifies the connection of sacred sexuality to Egyptian cosmic symbolism
Until recently the forbidden papyri, whose explicit illustrations of Egyptian sexual practices were judged too shocking, were off limits to all but a few scholars. In this book, the first to fully explore Egyptian sexual philosophy and practices, Egyptologist Ruth Schumann-Antelme provides us a new view of the provocative sexual life of the ancient Egyptians.
Richly illustrated throughout, Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt explains the symbolism of the erotic images found on the inner walls of the temples and tombs as well as those carved into pieces of limestone and sketched on papyri. The authors cover in detail the astonishing erotic scenes illustrating the Turin Papyrus, which have long been kept from public view. These papyri reveal in great detail Egyptian attitudes about love, religion, and even medicine, as well as specific sexual practices. Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt reveals the intimate details of a society in which sexuality was the dynamic principle of the divine world, and the cosmic symbolism of religion imbued every level of Egyptian society with sexual significance.
• Lavishly illustrated with erotic scenes from papyri that have long been hidden from the public
• Clarifies the connection of sacred sexuality to Egyptian cosmic symbolism
Until recently the forbidden papyri, whose explicit illustrations of Egyptian sexual practices were judged too shocking, were off limits to all but a few scholars. In this book, the first to fully explore Egyptian sexual philosophy and practices, Egyptologist Ruth Schumann-Antelme provides us a new view of the provocative sexual life of the ancient Egyptians.
Richly illustrated throughout, Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt explains the symbolism of the erotic images found on the inner walls of the temples and tombs as well as those carved into pieces of limestone and sketched on papyri. The authors cover in detail the astonishing erotic scenes illustrating the Turin Papyrus, which have long been kept from public view. These papyri reveal in great detail Egyptian attitudes about love, religion, and even medicine, as well as specific sexual practices. Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt reveals the intimate details of a society in which sexuality was the dynamic principle of the divine world, and the cosmic symbolism of religion imbued every level of Egyptian society with sexual significance.
- GenresEgyptEgyptologySexuality
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2001
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About the author
Ruth Schumann Antelme
5 booksRuth Schumann Antelme was a French academic and Egyptologist.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 24, 2019
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June 18, 2012
A papyrus was found and kept hidden because it was considered too risque for public display. I'd love to see it exhibited! It is the Ancient Egyptian version of the Kama Sutra, Ananga Ranga etc etc and shows that Egyptians took their sexuality very seriously as it was not just an earthly pleasure but a cosmic one too - a way to mirror the gods. This book not only studies the papyrus but also looks at erotic/fertility symbols and cave paintings found where workmen took their breaks and doodled on the walls. Seems that Egyptians were just like us, had senses of humour and one track minds. Nothing changes!
An academic book that reads well, interestingly and not at all dryly, and has lots of pictures! This book is both about the papyrus itself and also sexual practices in Ancient Egypt. Ruth Schumann-Antelme is a good academic writer lucky enough to have such titilating subject matter to be an expert in!
An academic book that reads well, interestingly and not at all dryly, and has lots of pictures! This book is both about the papyrus itself and also sexual practices in Ancient Egypt. Ruth Schumann-Antelme is a good academic writer lucky enough to have such titilating subject matter to be an expert in!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews