The Role of the Lector in Ancient Egyptian Society

By (author) Roger Forshaw

Extent: 176 pages

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing

Subjects: Ancient Egypt

Series: Archaeopress Egyptology

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(November 2014)

ISBN: 9781784910327

8.27 x 11.69 inches

Price: $62.00

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Synopsis
Contents
Contributing Authors
Reviews

The lector is first attested during the 2nd Dynasty and is subsequently recognised throughout ancient Egypt history. This study challenges previous approaches to studies on the Lector and explores his diverse functions in a wide ranging review of the relevant evidence.

The lector is first attested during the 2nd Dynasty and is subsequently recognised throughout ancient Egypt history. In previous studies the lector is considered to be one of the categories of the ancient Egyptian priesthood. He is perceived to be responsible for the correct performance of rites, to recite invocations during temple and state ritual, and to carry out recitations and perform ritual actions during private apotropaic magic and funerary rites. Previous treatments of the lector have rarely considered the full extent of his activities, either focusing on specific aspects of his work or making general comments about his role. This present study challenges this selective approach and explores his diverse functions in a wide ranging review of the relevant evidence. Why did he accompany state organised military, trading and mining expeditions and what was his role in healing? In the temple sphere he not only executed a variety of ritual actions but he also directed ritual practices. What responsibilities did he fulfil when sitting on legal assemblies, both temple-based and in the community? Activities such as these that encompassed many aspects of ancient Egyptian life are discussed in this volume.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Recognition, Origin and Hieroglyphic Representation
Chapter 2: Magic and Performance
Chapter 3: Equipment of the Lector
Chapter 4: Remuneration
Chapter 5: Temple and Festival Ritual
Chapter 6: Royal Involvement
Chapter 7: Funerary Ritual and Provisioning the Dead
Chapter 8: The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony
Chapter 9: The Involvement of the Lector in Healing
Chapter 10: The Title of Lector Recorded in Expedition Inscriptions
Chapter 11: The Lector and the Law
Chapter 12: Literary Evidence
Summary and Conclusions
Bibliography., Introduction ;

Chapter 1: Recognition, Origin and Hieroglyphic Representation ;

Chapter 2: Magic and Performance ;

Chapter 3: Equipment of the Lector ;

Chapter 4: Remuneration ;

Chapter 5: Temple and Festival Ritual ;

Chapter 6: Royal Involvement ;

Chapter 7: Funerary Ritual and Provisioning the Dead ;

Chapter 8: The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony ;

Chapter 9: The Involvement of the Lector in Healing ;

Chapter 10: The Title of Lector Recorded in Expedition Inscriptions ;

Chapter 11: The Lector and the Law ;

Chapter 12: Literary Evidence ;

Summary and Conclusions ;

Bibliography

By (author) Roger Forshaw

"'The term 'lector' is a familiar one to any student of Egyptology, frequently coupled with the word 'priest'. A lector priest would be expected to have had an important role in Egyptian religion, performing essential rituals and reciting the appropriate words to accompany them. This new, scholarly study by Roger Forshaw demonstrates that the lector had a far wider role than a purely priestly one... This comprehensive work should furnish even the most demanding researcher with as much useful information as he or she could wish.' - Ancient Egypt Magazine, July 2015"
—

'The term ‘lector’ is a familiar one to any student of Egyptology, frequently coupled with the word ‘priest’. A lector priest would be expected to have had an important role in Egyptian religion, performing essential rituals and reciting the appropriate words to accompany them. This new, scholarly study by Roger Forshaw demonstrates that the lector had a far wider role than a purely priestly one... This comprehensive work should furnish even the most demanding researcher with as much useful information as he or she could wish.' - Ancient Egypt Magazine, July 2015
—

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