The Pyramid Texts in Translation and Commentary (A Work in 4 Volumes)

MERCER, Samuel A. B.

Published by Longmans, Green and Co., New York, 1952

4 Volume Set (Volume I: Translation; Volumes II & III: Commentary; Volume IV: Excursuses). Hardcovers in original dust jackets. Octavo. Blue buckram with gilt title to front and spine. xii + 320, 526, 527-953, 327pp. 6 black and white plates plus a folding map at end of volume 4. Books have the tiniest bit of corner wear, otherwise fine. The scarce dust jackets show some age-toning, mainly on spines, and some rubbing, small chips and tears. Some red marks to front of one of the dust jackets. A fine set in very good jackets. The Egyptian Pyramid Texts are considered to be the oldest body of religious literature in the world. The texts were collected and inscribed on the walls of five royal pyramids at Sakkara between the years 2350 and 2175 B. C. These pyramids were not uncovered until 1880 when they were discovered by two French Egyptologists. In 1929 the eminent German Egyptologist, Kurt Sethe, who had led a group of scholars which made and published a scientific facsimile of these texts, was ready to begin a proposed translation and commentary. His death in 1934 put an end to this plan with about a third of the work done. Samuel Mercer undertook not only a translation and commentary of Sethe's text, but also included much additional material from three more small pyramids and other burial places found in the same vicinity. In these four volumes Mercer presents a vast literature containing myths and legends, historical references and astronomical lore, magic spells and rituals, systems of theology, festivals, and more. He has carried over into his translation the literary technique of these ancients which was capable of expressing the finest religious and ethical thoughts. The present work is the first English translation ever made of the famous Pyramid Texts and the first complete translation with commentary in any language. In the writing of the Excursuses, or detailed discussions of special points in the text, Mercer had the assistance of six of Europe's greatest Egyptologists. In even the smallest matters, therefore, the work carries the weight and authority of outstanding scholarship. The design of the four volumes makes for easy reference. Volume I is the actual translation of the texts; Volumes II and III contain the commentary on them; Volume IV is given over to the Excursuses, a Glossary, the Table of Abbreviations and Index. Seller Inventory # 6936

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Pyramid Texts in Translation and ...
Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co., New York
Publication Date: 1952
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition.