| Lesson 4; Egyptian Curses | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 16 2005, 11:11 AM (136 Views) | |
| Dark Mistress | Mar 16 2005, 11:11 AM Post #1 |
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HoM Professor/DE Leader
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Lesson 4 Curses of Ancient Egypt Hello class, today we will be studying curses of ancient Egypt. Though magic was mainly used to protect or heal, if has been said that destructive magic or curses were used. Even though many will say that there is no proof that Egyptians ever used them, it seems that others who study this type of magic seem to differ with this option. Hopefully we can get to the truth with today’s lesson. Magic attracted people because it was practical and made sense to them. Sometimes the spell would fall into the wrong hands. Anyone who could read could use the spells, and sometimes did for evil purposes. Definition of a curse- a magic spell placed upon people or objects with the intention of doing harm. To formulate a curse you need two things. The words, and what you want it to do. Curses are declared to be the most dreadful form of magic. The main purpose is for revenge, or protection of a home, treasures, and gravesites. Curses can become effective immediately or lie dormant for many years. Curses have been known to plaque families for many years, surviving over many generations. Names of enemies or traitors were inscribed on clay pots, tablets, or figurines. In temples priest and priestesses performed a ceremony to curse enemies of the divine order. Magical figurines were thought to be more effective if they used personal items from its intended victim. Example: The chaos serpent Apophis, who was eternally at war with the Sun God RA. Images of the serpent were drawn on papyrus or modeled into wax, spat on, trampled, stabbed and burned. Human enemies of the Kings were also cursed during these ceremonies. Myth: A group of priest, courtiers, and harem ladies got a hold of destructive book of magic from the royal library. They proceeded to make potions, written spells, and wax figurines to harm the King and his bodyguards. The harem ladies were able to take personal items from the king in order for the curse upon the wax figurine to become more powerful. Unfortunately their plot did not work, and they were all brought up on conspiracy charges and put to death. I myself do not believe that the spells written upon the tomb walls were actual curses. In ancient Egyptian times, and from what I have studied about these people, I have come to believe that theses were only protection spells, and not something evil as most would think. People wanted their families and Kings protected in the after life, so these spells were only there for this purpose. Here are some examples of inscriptions left on tomb walls that have lead some to believe that curses were used during ancient times. “His estate shall belong to the fire, and his house shall belong to the consuming flame…. His relatives shall detest him. (Tomb of Tefib, Dyn 9-10). “He shall be miserable and persecuted” (tomb of Pernniut, Dyn 20) “His heart should not be content in life (on a statue of Wersu, Dyn 18) The most famous curse that is still talked about today is the Curse of King Tut. This famous legend begins when Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in the “Valley of the Kings” on the west banks of Luxor, in November of 1922. There was a media frenzy over the discovery. In March of 1923 a writer named Mari Corelli (Mary Mackay) published a warning that there would be dire consequences for anyone who entered the tomb. Not long after finding the tomb Carter’s pet canary was eaten by a cobra. (Cobras were said to be a representations of the Goddess of Wadjet, which were the protector’s of the Pharaohs.) Lord Carnarvon financed Howard Carter’s exploration. Being in poor health for 20 years because of a car accident, he died of pneumonia in Cairo on April 5th, 1923. His death came only a few weeks after Mari Corelli published her warning. It was rumored at the time of Lord Carnarvon’s death, the lights went out in Cairo, and back in England his dog let out a howl and died at that same instant. It was a known fact that the lights periodically went out in Cairo, and it was impossible to prove when his dog died, and was it really at the exact moment of his owner’s death. The press was really good at spreading rumors about the “Curse of Tut”. One newspaper wrote, “They who enter this sacred tomb shall swift be visited by wings of death” There was no such curse ever found written within the tombs walls. What they did find was one inscription found on an Anubis shrine, which stated, “It is I who hinder the sand from choking the secret chamber. I am for protection of the deceased” Unfortunately another reporter decided to add to this statement by printing “and I will kill all those who cross the threshold into the sacred precincts of the Royal King who lives for ever”. Newspapers also printed that 26 people associated with this discovery were dead within the first decade of the discovery. The truth is only 6 people died and the rest lived until old age. Over the years scientists have learned that the bodies of mummies could spawn infections dangerous to those that come in contact with them. It is possible that ancient grave robbers may have been exposed to diseases, and died as a result of them. In 1999 Gothard Kramer, a German Microbiologist thought their might be some truth to the curse. Studying 40 different mummies, he was able to identify several dangerous mold spores. Now protective covering is used when handling mummies to be excavated and studied. Ancient Egyptians believed that the souls of the Kings would be kept alive as long as the name was remembered. Even today we still investigate the secrets held within the sacred tombs. With the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb he will continue to live on. This ends our discussion on curses. Our final lesson will be magic and its association with the after-life. This may end up being a Part 1, Part 2 lesson will have to wait and see. I hope you are enjoying your lessons so far, and you can now proceed to your homework and written assignment. References used for this lesson: Dig Magazine Http://www.up140jacksn.K12.il.us/Egypt99/wiggs/curses.htm http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/curse.htm Homework: Complete sentences and in your own words please. Each answer is worth 2 pts each. 1. Why were the ancient Egyptians attracted to magic? 2. What is a curse and what two things do you need to formulate a curse? 3. What is the main purpose of a curse? 4. Names of enemies and traitors were inscribed on what things? 5. Why were figurines thought to be more powerful when they wanted to curse someone? 6. Who was the first writer to start the rumors that King Tut’s tomb was cursed? 7. What roll did the media play in regards to King Tut’s curse? 8. What inscription was found on the shrine of Anubis? Do you believe that the intention of the inscription was to curse all who disrupt the tomb or just a protection spell to protect the King? 9. What do scientists believe maybe the reason for some of the deaths of those who enter the tomb? 10. What do cobra represent? 11. Who was Lord Carnarvon? Explain the events after his death that made people believe that there definitely was a curse upon Tut’s Tomb? Essay: Give me some background information on the life of Howard Carter. Who was this man who discovered Tut's tomb? This part of the assignment is worth 10 points. List references please! Extra Credit assignment: Who was Tutankhamen? Earn extra points for your house. List your reference please. 5 to 20 pts Will be awarded depending on your content. Quality and not quantity is the key to earning the most points here. |
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| Cottonmouth | Mar 17 2005, 04:29 PM Post #2 |
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Graduated
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Cottonmouth Slytherin Excellent work, and I was happy to see you intergrated your own opinion into questions 8 and 11. You also did well with your essay. Full Marks! 42 for the assignment and essay, and an extra 3 for adding your own creative responses to the question. 45 pts total to Slytherin. |
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| Lexi | Mar 20 2005, 08:39 PM Post #3 |
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Headmistress/Gryffindor Head of House
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Elsbeth Gryffindor [size=7] This assignment is just to good to delete. I totally enjoyed reading this. 22pts of the homework, 10 for the essay, 20 for the extra credit and an 8pts for the amount of effort put into this assignment. Total to Gryffindor 60pts.!!![/size] |
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| Ellen Nelle | Mar 22 2005, 10:42 AM Post #4 |
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3rd Year
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Ellen Nelle Ravenclaw [size=7]Nice work! 22pts for the first part of the assignment, 15pts for the extra credit! Total 37 pts to Ravenclaw! (May I give you the extra credit a little later. As you know Im trying to catch up in the lessons. I`ll PM you the Extra Credit or I can just post it here again or edit this post)[/size] [size=7]Excellent work on the written assignment you will recieve 15 pts for the written assignment.[/size] |
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| Samantha_Malfoy | Mar 28 2005, 03:13 AM Post #5 |
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Graduated
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samantha malfoy slytherin Excellent work! Full marks 22pts to Slytherin |
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| bookworm92 | Mar 31 2005, 01:22 PM Post #6 |
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S.A.P.E.W./RA
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[SIZE=7]Excellent work! Your receive 22pts for first part of the assignment 10 for the essay and 3pts for your extra hard work! 35pts in all for Ravenclaw |
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