TALES OF ANCIENT EGYPT

by Roger Lancelyn Green ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1968

Sectioned into ""Gods,"" ""Magic,"" and ""Adventures,"" these Tales contain reliable renditions of religious myths, several favorite legends, and some outside-influenced stories featuring Egyptians and their neighbors. Although Amen-Ra is the acknowledged main deity, several others appear in individual episodes: e.g. the predicted loss of father-king throne to sonusurper, or the exchange between the Sphinx and Thutmose IV. The ""Magic"" section includes Teta's regeneration of animals, the secret of Giza, the overthrowing of a wicked wife by Anpu and brother Bata. Within this context the (Stesichorus) version of Helen's stay in Egypt when stolen by Paris (her Ka) must seem a reworking of traditional material. A beginning chapter acknowledges original sources (many outside Egypt) and makes no claim of consistency for the aggregate pantheon but neither that chapter nor the short paragraphs leading into each story match the striking accompaniment of Josephine Mayer's Never to Die (Viking, 1938) for perception and sense of time. Green's collection has the advantage of prose renderings for those unwilling to approach Mayer's poetry.

Pub Date: May 1, 1968

ISBN: 014133259X

Page Count: -

Publisher: Walck

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1968

Categories: NONFICTION