Talk to explore the mysterious subject of magic in Ancient Egypt

This Saturday (February 24) the strange and mysterious subject of magic in Ancient Egypt will be the subject of a Sussex Egyptology Society (SES) talk in Horsham.
Ancient Egyptian magic in action: the beaky ibis-headed god Thoth presents life and renewed kingly power to the deceased pharaoh Seti the First, in a carved and painted scene in Setis temple at Abydos in Egypt.
Picture by Mick Oakey SUS-180221-092710001Ancient Egyptian magic in action: the beaky ibis-headed god Thoth presents life and renewed kingly power to the deceased pharaoh Seti the First, in a carved and painted scene in Setis temple at Abydos in Egypt.
Picture by Mick Oakey SUS-180221-092710001
Ancient Egyptian magic in action: the beaky ibis-headed god Thoth presents life and renewed kingly power to the deceased pharaoh Seti the First, in a carved and painted scene in Setis temple at Abydos in Egypt. Picture by Mick Oakey SUS-180221-092710001

London-based professional Egyptologist Dr Joanna Kyffin, who will be giving the illustrated presentation, says: “Magic in ancient Egypt has been long neglected by Egyptologists, relegated to the footnotes of books on Egyptian religion”.

It was regarded by Greek and Christian cultures as a sort of dangerous witchcraft, but to the Ancient Egyptians it was a completely normal and very important part of daily life. Joanna’s talk will explore this difference between the traditional perception and the ancient reality.

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The event will start at 2pm at Forest School Business and Enterprise Centre in Comptons Lane, with doors open from 1pm.

Egyptologist Dr Joanna Kyffin SUS-180221-092658001Egyptologist Dr Joanna Kyffin SUS-180221-092658001
Egyptologist Dr Joanna Kyffin SUS-180221-092658001

SES vice-chairman Mick Oakey said: “Our monthly meetings usually attract between 50 and 100 people, and in addition to members we welcome non-members and visitors — who pay £5 entry, refundable if they join the society. We also have Egypt-related magazines and other goodies for sale, and books from our library available to browse.”

For more information, visit the society’s website at www.egyptology-uk.com, or call Mick on 01403 710794.

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