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Indepth Arts News:
"Heka: Magic and bewitchment in Ancient Egypt"
2000-09-21 until 2001-01-08
Louvre Museum
Paris, ,
FR
The association of Egypt with magic and
occult practices stems from ancient times
and occurs frequently. This fascination
for the mysteries of Egypt is expressed
in early texts and is present in the world
of esoterism, as suggested by the magic
duel between Moses and the Pharaoh's
magicians or by Greek and Roman
inscriptions imploring the Egyptian
deities to enhance the effectiveness of
magical spells.
As for this formula, it must not be
revealed to anyone, no one must know of
it. Never reveal it to common mortals!
This exhibition, Heka - Magic and
bewitchment in Ancient Egypt, departs
from this rule and returns to the Egyptian
notion of magic by illustrating one of its
aspects: Heka. The Egyptians warded
off the enemies of the terrestrial order,
Death and its emissaries, by means of
oral or written rites recorded today on
Egyptian papyri and artefacts, such as
amulets, wands and other instruments
used by a magician. Visitors will
discover as many as 250 objects, among
them the recently acquired figurines of
bound prisoners, which disclose the
occult practices in Ancient Egypt and in
the succeeding generations.
The exhibition is held in the department
of Egyptian Antiquities.
Organiser of the exhibition: Marc
Etienne, curator of the department of
Egyptian Antiquities.
IMAGE:
Bes panthea
26th dynasty,
reign of Psamatik I
© Musée du Louvre / Poncet
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