Significance of Pyramid Text

Pyramid Texts are ancient Egyptian writings inside pyramid tombs from the IVth to VIth Dynasties. They reveal early religious beliefs and names of about two hundred gods and mythological beings. The texts mention the tree of life, the lake of darkness, and the gates of Akar. They also reference a seven-headed serpent and describe deities interested in the welfare of beings in the Underworld. These texts provide insight into the deities and their attributes during that era.

Synonyms: Hieroglyphic text

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Classical concept of 'Pyramid Text'

Various literature Books

Meaning of Pyramid Text in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

From: Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt

(1) The Pyramid Texts contain a Sun-hymn where the Sun-god is depicted as a guardian on the Egyptian frontiers, restricting outsiders from entering his domain.[1] (2) In so far as these Coffin Texts are identical with the Pyramid Texts we are already familiar with their general function and content.[2] (3) These are ancient writings found inside pyramids, that the connection of Osiris with ideals of righteousness and justice is secondary.[3] (4) The insertion of the Pyramid Texts themselves during the last century and a half of the Pyramid Age is an evident resort to less material forces enlisted on behalf of the departed Pharaoh.[4] (5) The dying Sun and the dying Osiris are here in competition, with the people the human Osiris makes the stronger appeal, and even the wealthy and subsidized priesthoods of the Solar religion could not withstand the power of this appeal.[5]

From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1

(1) The Pyramid Texts (Unȧs, line 390) mention the name of the goddess Sekhet, stating that Unȧs was conceived by Sekhet, Sheskhentet, and Sothis, indicating her ancient origins.[6] (2) A collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts, reveal that at the time when man believed that it was necessary to have a ladder in order to ascend into heaven from the earth, Horus was regarded as the god of the ladder.[7] (3) The Pyramid Texts feature the name of Bast because the Heliopolitan editors incorporated local and foreign deities into the pantheon.[8] (4) The Pyramid Texts are the oldest collection of ancient Egyptian religious spells and hymns, found inscribed on the walls of pyramids dating back to the Old Kingdom, which mention Thoth's funereal character.[9] (5) Originally, however, the Heliopolitan priests, or the authors of the theological system exhibited in the Pyramid Texts, intended the paut to consist of nine gods, and it seems that they arrived at this decision as the result of the addition of their own local god Tem to a group of four pairs of deities, four gods and four goddesses, whom they had grouped together according to the plan followed by an older school of theologians in forming an older company of the gods.[10]

From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World

(1) The lake that is crossed by night amidst the terrors of the tempest is a replica of the dreadful lake of darkness which the followers of Horus have to cross in Amenta, and it is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts.[11] (2) It mentions that Unas received the nipples of Horus' bosom and took in his mouth the breast of Isis.[12] (3) And in the Pyramid Texts those who are in the Tuat are called the Tuata, according to the text, in whom we propose to identify the Irish mythical heroes or divine ancestors called the Tuatha de Danan.[13] (4) The two gates of Akar are mentioned in the Pyramid Texts of Pepi as equivalent in sense to the two gates of Seb or the earth.[14] (5) The tree in the midst of the garden is called the khat-en-ankhu or tree of life in the Pyramid Texts, on the fruit of which the gods and glorified were fed.[15]

From: The Book of the Dead

(1) Ap-uat, the of the pyramid texts, or 'Opener of the ways,' who also was depicted in the form of a jackal, is another form of Anubis.[16] (2) The pyramid texts contain an address for the soul to utter upon reaching the top of the ladder to the next world, including hails to various deities and references to the Fields of Aaru.[17] (3) The evidence of the "pyramid texts" shows that already in the Vth dynasty monotheism and polytheism were flourishing side by side.[18] (4) The "pyramid texts" associate the idea of everlasting life with the sun's existence, indicating that the concept of eternal life was already present in ancient Egyptian beliefs.[19] (5) The chief gods mentioned in the pyramid texts are identical with those whose names are given on tomb, coffin and papyrus in the latest dynasties, suggesting religious consistency.[20]

From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

(1) A source from which a long prayer was developed into a popular funerary work in the Roman Period.[21] (2) The exposition of the Heliopolitan creed is found in the Pyramid Texts, which also contain the proofs that before the close of the sixth dynasty the cult of Osiris had vanquished the cult of Ra, and that the religion of Osiris had triumphed.[22] (3) Pyramid Texts refers to the long hieroglyphic inscriptions cut upon the walls of the chambers and corridors of five pyramids at Sakkarah, providing information about religious beliefs.[23]

From: Legends Of The Gods

(1) It mentions ancient writings that provide insights into the beliefs and traditions surrounding Osiris, revealing details about the legend of Osiris and its acceptance in Egypt during specific dynasties.[24] (2) According to a tradition preserved in these, the event of the production of Shu and Tefnut took place at On (Heliopolis), and the old form of the legend ascribes their production to an act of masturbation.[25]

From: The Egyptian Heaven and Hell

(1) The earliest form of a name is found within, and it is the oldest form. It is associated with the chief god of a place and the beings who reside there.[26] (2) Contain formulae and paragraphs composed in the earliest times of Egyptian civilization, interspersed with others of later periods, intended to satisfy both ancient indigenous beliefs and doctrines promulgated by the priests of Ra.[27]

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.

Meaning of Pyramid Text in Ancient Greek mythology, history and philosophy:
Greek Books

From: The Liturgy of Funerary Offerings

(1) Another copy of this early form is found in the Pyramid of Pepi II. Nefer-ka-Ra, and this Professor Maspero published, with a translation of the whole, in a later volume of the same work, and in his complete edition of "The Pyramid Texts" entitled, "Les Inscriptions des Pyramides de Saqqarah," Paris, 1894.[28]

Ancient Greece in the Archaic Period was made up from independent states, called Polis, or city state. Classical Greek culture, especially philosophy, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices.