Tales of Ancient Egypt

Tales of Ancient Egypt is a collection of Egyptian myths and legends retold for modern readers. The stories span from the creation myths through tales of gods, pharaohs, and mortals. The book is organized into three main sections: Tales of the Gods, Tales of Magic, and Tales of Adventure. Green presents these narratives in clear language while maintaining the core elements and cultural significance of the original tales. The stories feature prominent Egyptian deities like Ra, Isis, and Osiris, along with accounts of historical figures and folklore heroes. The text includes references to Egyptian customs, beliefs, and daily life during the time of the pharaohs. These retellings explore universal themes of creation, power, justice, and the relationship between gods and humans. The collection serves as an accessible entry point to understanding ancient Egyptian mythology and its influence on civilization.

Readers find this collection accessible for children while maintaining the authentic tone of Egyptian mythology. Parents report it engages kids ages 8-12, though some note the formal language requires reading alongside younger children. Liked: - Clear explanations of Egyptian gods and customs - Preservation of original mythological elements rather than sanitizing - Illustrations help visualize unfamiliar concepts - Structured organization by theme (gods, magic, adventures) Disliked: - Archaic writing style challenges some young readers - Several reviewers note confusing character names - Some stories end abruptly - Black and white illustrations deemed "bland" by multiple readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (280+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Good introduction to Egyptian mythology but requires some guidance for younger readers" - appears in various forms across multiple review sites.

Egyptian Myths by Marcia Williams This illustrated collection presents Egyptian mythology through comic-strip style storytelling with hieroglyphic borders and authentic cultural details.

Tales of the Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green The companion volume uses the same storytelling approach to bring Greek mythology to life through interconnected narratives of heroes, gods, and monsters.

Gods and Pharaohs from Egyptian Mythology by Geraldine Harris This volume chronicles Egyptian creation myths, the reign of the gods, and stories of the pharaohs through traditional narrative structure.

Treasury of Egyptian Mythology by Donna Jo Napoli The book presents Egyptian myths with geographical and historical context, accompanied by illustrations based on ancient Egyptian art.

Tales of the Norse Gods by Barbara Leonie Picard This collection translates Norse mythology into straightforward narrative prose similar to Green's treatment of Egyptian tales.

🔮 Roger Lancelyn Green was a close friend and biographer of C.S. Lewis, and both were members of the famous literary discussion group "The Inklings" at Oxford. 📚 The book draws from authentic Egyptian sources, including hieroglyphic texts, tomb paintings, and archaeological discoveries, making it one of the more historically accurate retellings of Egyptian mythology. 🏺 Many of the stories in the collection had never before been adapted for young readers in English when Green published the book in 1967. 🐱 The cat goddess Bastet, featured in several tales, was so revered in ancient Egypt that killing a cat—even accidentally—was punishable by death. 🗺️ Green organized the book into three distinct sections: "Tales of the Gods," "Tales of Magic," and "Tales of Adventure," helping readers understand the different types of Egyptian storytelling traditions.