Notes on 24 Hours in Ancient Egypt: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There by Donald P. Ryan
Donald P. Ryan’s 24 Hours in Ancient Egypt: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There offers a short introduction to the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep II (1426–1400 BCE). The focus is on perspectives, not historical events, and the text is a fusion of nonfiction and historical fiction. Each of the book’s 24 chapters has a different protagonist with a different profession.
Figuring out what ancient Egypt was like is not easy. Most extant texts are about rulers, religion, funerals, and the afterlife and are silent on what the majority of the people were doing. This is not surprising since, according to one estimate, only about three percent of the population was literate. Nevertheless, a vast number of constructions, artifacts, and bones have passed the test of time and can be used to obtain a coherent image of this fascinating place.
The ancient Egyptians divided their year into three seasons of four months each: flooding, growing, and harvesting. Each month comprised three ten-day weeks. Five extra days, designated as birthdays of deities, were added annually to mirror the solar year. The days were measured from sunset to sunset and had twelve hours of the day and twelve hours of the night.
Almost all ancient Egyptians lived simple lives and worked a lot. They called their beloved land Kemet (“the Black Land”), which was a reference to the fecund soil along the Nile River. The latter was called itroo (“the river”) or itroo-aa (“the great river”). The name used today comes from a Greek word for “river valley.”
The commoners lucky enough to survive childbirth and childhood could sometimes make it to 35 years of age. Excruciating working hours and conditions, dangerous animals, diseases, very primitive medical care, and food shortages made longer lifespans difficult to attain.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was the core of one’s physical body, intelligence, and emotions, whereas the brain was considered a space filler. This is why the heart was left intact during the 70-day mummification process. All other internal organs were removed, and the human remains were desiccated using a naturally occurring substance called natron, composed of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate. The deceased were placed in coffins inscribed with hints on how to overcome various obstacles in the Underworld. It was crucial to deny any wrongdoings when interrogated by assessor gods, who would determine the fate of one’s ba (soul).
The ancient Egyptians knew how to fish, grow plants, build impressive structures, and collect taxes. They ate mostly bread and drank mostly beer (water was dangerous due to the lack of purification plants). There were professional mourners, dancers, scribes, potters, carpenters, physicians, priests, jewelers, and fan-bearers. A whole host of gods and goddesses had to be propitiated, and the pharaoh had ultimate power.
Overall, 24 Hours in Ancient Egypt is a short yet informative read. Donald P. Ryan has created an engaging narrative that whets one’s appetite for more books on the subject matter. And that alone is enough to qualify a book as good.
