Editing Amduat (section)

== Content of the ''Amduat'' ==
The underworld is divided into twelve hours of the night, each representing different allies and enemies for the Pharaoh/sun god to encounter. The ''Amduat'' names all of these gods and monsters, such as the serpent of Mehen or the 'World Encircler' which play a variety of roles to either help or harm Ra and the deceased soul. The main purpose of the ''Amduat'' is to give information about the geography of the underworld, as well as the names and descriptions of these gods and monsters to the [[Egyptian soul|Ba]] (or soul) of the dead Pharaoh, so he can call upon them for help or use their name to defeat them. <ref name=":22" />

The ''Amduat'' is represented in two forms within tombs: a shorter version of the text that simply covers the journey of Ra, and a much longer version that is both textually and pictorially represented. The long version typically contains the shorter version at the very end of the journey, as well as the directions for how the ''Amduat'' should be shown depicted on the walls of the tomb.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the Afterlife: The Egyptian Amduat - A Quest for Immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=15}}</ref>
[[File:Libro_dell'Amduat_0147215g_detail.tif|thumb|475x475px|The Twelfth Hour of the ''Amduat''. Note the vertical register of text to the left, as well as the solar barque on the middle register. (Cat. 1776, Museo Egizio)]]
Visually, the ''Amduat'' is typically broken into 3 continuous horizontal [[Register (art)|registers]], with vertical registers of text separating each of the 12 hours. Each of the vertical textual registers contain information about the title of the hour, name of the gateway (either a pylon, door, or gate that is [[Gate deities of the underworld|guarded by a deity]]) that connects them, as well as the name of the region of the underworld in order to distinguish the progression of Ra's daily journey.<ref name=":0" />  The 12 hours follow along through 12 distinct regions of the Duat, while the 3 registers represent some of the physical locations within these regions.<ref name=":122">{{Cite magazine |last=Roberson |first=Joshua |title=The Rebirth of the Sun: Mortuary Art and Architecture in the Royal Tombs of New Kingdom Egypt |url=https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/the-rebirth-of-the-sun/ |access-date=2024-02-29 |magazine=Expedition Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, at the end of each hour is a textual explanation of what happened within that region of the underworld.

Each of the top middle registers contains creatures and items typical of the Egyptian underworld, while the bottom registers contain additional information or details represented pictorially regarding the specific hour.<ref name=":22" /> The middle horizontal register traditionally starts with Ra on his [[solar barque]] (a type of boat), entering a new realm or ‘hour’ of the underworld.

Throughout the text of the ''Amduat'', Ra is depicted as being "ram-headed" as he descends into the underworld and becomes separated from his body, being left only with his 'Ba' as he seeks to reunite with his body, which is now in the form of Osiris, in the ensuing hours. The hieroglyph for Ba is the same as the one for a ram in Ancient Egyptian, suggesting that his appearance is a visual pun.<ref name=":12"/>

The Egyptian underworld is often depicted as being the place of death, but also renewal for many deities and the souls that pass through. As such, it is often known as a 'place of opposites,' which is best represented in hour 5 with the waters of [[Nu (mythology)|Nun]] (the river that in the underworld is called the 'Wernes', but is the [[Nile]] in the land of the living) intermingling with the desert sands of Sokar.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=38–40 |language=en}}</ref> Here, it can be seen that life and death are meeting within the underworld, creating a chaos that only the influence of [[Maat]] can control. Maat is the deity of truth, order, and most importantly control, so she is often seen alongside the deceased pharaoh or Ra as they continue the normal order of the suns path daily, depicted most often as her signature feather.

Maat is also an important goddess for the pharaoh due to her representing order, as it was expected for the pharaoh to invoke Maat to keep order over the kingdom of Egypt, thereby also pushing away chaos and disorder. Her inclusion on the journey of the sun's setting and eventual rebirth once more may suggest that this is the order of the world and that is therefore overseen by her.<ref name=":12" />

Additionally, the depiction of the ''Amduat'' is not just tied to the wall carvings within a tomb, as the tombs themselves are often a part of representing the ''Amduat'' in its entirety.<ref name=":22" /> Thutmose III's tomb is a very well preserved example of how the ''Amduat'' should be physically and pictorially represented, setting the example for the pharaohs that came after him.<ref name=":122" />