Reply To: The Gods of Ancient Egypt

[Maggie May]

The art of the Ancient Egyptians differed from the art of the Mesopotamians primarily in the heavy focus on the afterlife. Elaborate tombs such as the Rock Cut Tombs at Beni Hassan, the Great Pyramids, the temple of Hatshepsut and others were constructed to ease the transition into the afterlife. While Mesopotamians had significant religious beliefs, their devotion to preparing for the afterlife was not of the same magnitude as that of the ancient Egyptians. However, we do also see the practice of burying individuals of high status in Mesopotamian culture with elaborate artifacts in the Queen’s Lyre, for example. We know that the Egyptians had a similar practice of elaborate burial as exemplified through their tombs and remaining artifacts. While they produced similar art and did have some commonality, we know that these cultures varied in focus and in religious traditions and burial practices.