DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4668#0053
I.] The Tomb of Osiris. 35
purpose ; and, secondly, if there be any inten-
tion which the architect has openly manifested,
it is to create such a series of obstructions,
that no human body could be buried therein.
In truth, the Grand Pyramid is the House
of a Tomb; but it is not a closed, but an
open tomb. It is the tomb not of a man, but
a god; not of the dead, but of the risen. It
is the tomb of the divine Osiris, whose birth
on earth, descent into the under-world, victory
over the serpent Apep, resurrection and judg-
ment of the dead, were the most prominent
features in the creed of Egypt, and in union
with whom the holy departed achieved the
path of illumination, and passed in safety
the divine tribunal.
Viewed in this light, the practical value of
the structure begins to become clear. On
that doctrine rested the whole organization
of social life amongst the ancient Egyptians.
The kalendar, the festivals, the duties of the
monarch, the rights of the priesthood, the
purpose ; and, secondly, if there be any inten-
tion which the architect has openly manifested,
it is to create such a series of obstructions,
that no human body could be buried therein.
In truth, the Grand Pyramid is the House
of a Tomb; but it is not a closed, but an
open tomb. It is the tomb not of a man, but
a god; not of the dead, but of the risen. It
is the tomb of the divine Osiris, whose birth
on earth, descent into the under-world, victory
over the serpent Apep, resurrection and judg-
ment of the dead, were the most prominent
features in the creed of Egypt, and in union
with whom the holy departed achieved the
path of illumination, and passed in safety
the divine tribunal.
Viewed in this light, the practical value of
the structure begins to become clear. On
that doctrine rested the whole organization
of social life amongst the ancient Egyptians.
The kalendar, the festivals, the duties of the
monarch, the rights of the priesthood, the