Category:  Reference

Reviewed by Francesca: This is an essential tool of research for scholars. The aim of this reference work is to incorporate as much up-to-date reference as possible. Outlining the Egyptian history up to the 4th century A.D., the authors present in alphabetical order brief biographies of Egyptian kings, and other important historical and cultural figures, as well as some less well-known individuals : Akhenaten, Nefertiti, Cheops, Tutankhamun, Sethos I, Ramesses II, Ipuwer, Manetho, Alexander the Great, and Herodotus are just a few of the more than 200 entries on important historical and cultural figures in this impressive reference work.

From the book cover: "From Áha, king of the 1st Dynasty at Memphis (2920 B.C.), to the pleasure palaces at Zerukha, this fascinating A-Z dictionary places more than 1,500 entries on the rich world of ancient Egypt right at the readers fingertips. The first single-volume reference of its kind, [this book] vividly combines the historical, religious, creative, artistic, military, and personal details of this venerable civilization on the Nile.
Covered in this easy-to-use dictionary is a wealth of information from the Predynastic period around 3000 B.C. to the fall of the New Kingdom in 1070 B.C. ...
Abundantly illustrated with over 170 maps, charts, and drawings based on reliefs, paintings, and statues, [this book] is an extraordinary compendium of the vitality, daring and energy of the dynasties of ancient Egypt as they established new horizons of art, architecture, and spiritual insight on the human journey through time."

Reviewed by Francesca: The first part of the book introduces a comprehensive, condensed yet accurate summary of Ancient Egyptian history. The second part presents archaeological details and plans of the main cities of Upper and Lower Egypt, as well as Nubia. The last part offers a description of Ancient Egyptian society, with its scribes, its army, its religion, and its gods. The authors have also included a list of kings and pharaohs. Readers will see how the pyramids were hypothetically built through reconstructions and diagrams. Excellent maps, a glossary and a bibliography are to be found at the end of this wonderfully illustrated book. Highly recommended, it makes a good reference for all.

From the book cover: From Abu Gurab to Zawiyet el-Aryan, Akhenaten to the X Group, the British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt is a mine of information on all aspects of the ancient Egyptian world. How and why did the Egyptians go to such pains to preserve their dead ? What would the great temple complex at Karnak have looked like ? How did they brew their beer and furnish their houses ? What games did their children play ? More than six hundred extensively cross-referenced and comprehensively indexed entries provide clear explanations and descriptions of the major ideas, events and personalities that shaped four thousand years of civilization in the Nile valley, whilst entries on the archaeologists who revealed Egypt's legacy bring the story right up to date. Each entry is followed by a short bibliography to enable readers to pursue topics in greater detail. Lavishly illustrated throughout with photographs, line drawings, site plans and maps, [this dictionary] is an invaluable tool for every general reader, student and researcher.

This book consists of 8 volumes.