In ancient Egypt a proclivity existed for constructing analogies between divinities or corporeal elements of divinities and earthly objects. This thesis examines the specific relationship between analogous god parts and boat parts in Spell 99 from the Book of Dead. I provide a general discussion on the prevalence of watercraft in cosmology followed by an analysis of the individual elements of the mhnt boat described in Spell 99. I develop a predictive model for the relationship between corporeal elements of the gods and boat parts based upon primary and secondary associations of form, the location of the deity in mythical geography, and the boat part's placement relative to the deckline. Applying the anthropological theories of mimesis and liminality I attempt to demonstrate the use of sympathetic magic by the deceased to obtain power over that which he fears, in the process revealing core values of ancient Egyptian culture. I determine that the mhnt boat represents a microcosm of the ancient Egyptian cosmos and functions as a source of power for the deceased over impotency, chaos, and mortality. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Spring Semester, 2004. / March 30, 2004. / Mimesis, Symbol, Watercraft, Boats, Egyptian, Liminality / Includes bibliographical references. / Cheryl Ward, Professor Directing Thesis; Richard H. Wilkinson, Outside Committee Member; Michael A. Uzendoski, Committee Member; Daniel J. Pullen, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_182638 |
| Contributors | Lippiello, Lauren Elizabeth (authoraut), Ward, Cheryl (professor directing thesis), Wilkinson, Richard H. (outside committee member), Uzendoski, Michael A. (committee member), Pullen, Daniel J. (committee member), Department of Anthropology (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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