Ghost in Babylon

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Cultellus

Ghost in Babylon

Post by Cultellus »

Shulem,

What are your thoughts on this?

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/202 ... seum-vault

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Its outlines are faint, only discernible at an angle, but the world’s oldest drawing of a ghost has been discovered in the darkened vaults of the British Museum.

A lonely bearded spirit being led into the afterlife and eternal bliss by a lover has been identified on an ancient Babylonian clay tablet created about 3,500 years ago.

It is part of an exorcist’s guide to getting rid of unwanted ghosts by addressing the particular malaise that brought them back to the world of the living – in this case, a ghost in desperate need of a companion. He is shown walking with his arms outstretched, his wrists tied by a rope held by the female, while an accompanying text details a ritual that would to dispatch them happily to the underworld.

Dr Irving Finkel, curator of the Middle Eastern department at the British Museum, said the “absolutely spectacular object from antiquity” had been overlooked until now.

“It’s obviously a male ghost and he’s miserable. You can imagine a tall, thin, bearded ghost hanging about the house did get on people’s nerves. The final analysis was that what this ghost needed was a lover,” he said.

“You can’t help but imagine what happened before. ‘Oh God, Uncle Henry’s back.’ Maybe Uncle Henry’s lost three wives. Something that everybody knew was that the way to get rid of the old bugger was to marry him off. It’s not fanciful to read this into it. It’s a kind of explicit message. There’s very high-quality writing there and immaculate draughtsmanship.

“That somebody thinks they can get rid of a ghost by giving them a bedfellow is quite comic.”

As a world authority on cuneiform, a system of writing used in the ancient Middle East, Finkel realised that the tablet had been incorrectly deciphered previously. The drawing had been missed as the ghost only comes to life when viewed from above and under a light. Forgotten since its acquisition by the museum in the 19th century, the tablet has never even been exhibited.

Irving Finkel, a world authority on cuneiform script, tells the story of his ghostly discovery in The First Ghosts.
Irving Finkel, a world authority on cuneiform script, tells the story of his ghostly discovery in The First Ghosts. Photograph: Dave Cherry
Finkel said: “You’d probably never give it a second thought because the area where the drawings are looks like it’s got no writing. But when you examine it and hold it under a lamp, those figures leap out at you across time in the most startling way. It is a Guinness Book of Records object because how could anybody have a drawing of a ghost which was older?”

While half the tablet is missing and it is small enough to fit in a person’s hand, the back bears an extensive text with the instructions for dealing with a ghost that “seizes hold of a person and pursues him and cannot be loosed”. The ritual involves making figurines of a man and a woman: “You dress the man in an everyday shift and equip him with travel provisions. You wrap the woman in four red garments and clothe her in a purple cloth. You give her a golden brooch. You equip her fully with bed, chair, mat and towel; you give her a comb and a flask.

“At sunrise towards the sun you make the ritual arrangements and set up two carnelian vessels of beer. You set in place a special vessel and set up a juniper censer with juniper. You draw the curtain like that of the diviner. You [put] the figurines together with their equipment and place them in position… and say as follows, Shamash [god of the sun and judge of the underworld by night].”

The text ends with a warning: “Do not look behind you!”

Finkel believes the tablet was part of a library of magic in the house of an exorcist or in a temple.

The ghost has appeared just in time for Halloween. Its discovery features in Finkel’s forthcoming book, The First Ghosts: Most Ancient of Legacies, to be published on 11 November by Hodder & Stoughton.

He himself has never seen a ghost, “even in the shadier vaults of the British Museum”, which is “riddled with ghosts”, he said. “In the King’s Library, more than one person has seen a head and shoulders moving along but at a peculiar height. That was dismissed by sceptics, but it turns out that the original floor under the present floor was actually low, which means that they were about right.”

He hopes to exhibit the Babylonian tablet, noting that such an artefact brings us closer to our ancestors: “All the fears and weaknesses and characteristics that make the human race so fascinating, assuredly were there in spades 3,500 years ago.

“I want people to know about this culture. Egypt always wins in Hollywood. If the Babylonian underworld is anything like it was described, then they’re all still there. So just remember that.”
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Shulem
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Eternal Marriage

Post by Shulem »

Cultellus,

For me the mysterious Babylonian art is somewhat morbid but quite interesting because it's so old. Notably that it's only visible when seen from a certain view or angle and with the appropriate amount of light. The scene is rather morbid and lacks anything having to do with romance. It's forceful and strict. I don't care for the message that it portrays because it implies suffering and a lack of freewill -- and the article labels it as "miserable". It seems a little grotesque and primitive. I wouldn't want to be in the actual scene! Please permit me this one time to use an expletive that I think best describes the ghost and can be said without vulgarity or rudeness which is not allowed here in the Celestial Forum: The ghost, He's a bit of a pussy.

With that said, it is perfect for Halloween!

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Indeed, and I would like to share something I feel is a little more romantic and expresses affection between an ancient Egyptian king and queen. I think you'll find it very interesting and may even inspire you with your own idea to add a little spark and glow to your romantic life.

The treasures taken from the tomb of Tutankhamun are most impressive and full of mystery and delight. Within the tomb they discovered a calcite chalice that was meant to reveal the mysterious and hidden love between Tutankhamun and his lovely wife, Ankhesenamun. Perhaps the lamp was lit while they were enjoying sexual relations together in their royal suit. Who can say?

Chalice lamp without being lit:

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When oil filled the chalice and a wick dropped therein it would as if by magic come to life and reveal the king's majesty and his lovely wife's affection in presenting a pair of long palm branches that symbolize millions of years or an eternity together. Thus, the Egyptian royalty believed in marriage for time and all eternity. Think about that!

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Cultellus

Re: Ghost in Babylon

Post by Cultellus »

That is cool.

I want one of those.
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Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Moksha »

Shulem wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 12:51 am
Thus, the Egyptian royalty believed in marriage for time and all eternity. Think about that!
The Church of Osiris and Isis of Early-day Saints.
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
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Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Shulem »

Moksha wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:53 am
Shulem wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 12:51 am
Thus, the Egyptian royalty believed in marriage for time and all eternity. Think about that!
The Church of Osiris and Isis of Early-day Saints.

Well, actually the names Osirsis & Isis are Greek just as the name Jesus is Greek for Yeshua. The proper Egyptian names for the divine Egyptian parents are Ausar & Aset, respectfully. Come to think of it even the word church is from the ancient Greek ekklesia which is an assembly of people.

I don't believe the Egyptians went to church. The people were free to enjoy their religion and beliefs in the pantheon according to the dictates of their own conscience. The pharaoh and his priesthood had their own rites and religious ceremonies and these were rarely shared publicly accept on special occasion for various rites of procession.
Cultellus

Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Cultellus »

Shulem wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:39 pm
Moksha wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 9:53 am

The Church of Osiris and Isis of Early-day Saints.

Well, actually the names Osirsis & Isis are Greek just as the name Jesus is Greek for Yeshua. The proper Egyptian names for the divine Egyptian parents are Ausar & Aset, respectfully. Come to think of it even the word church is from the ancient Greek ekklesia which is an assembly of people.

I don't believe the Egyptians went to church. The people were free to enjoy their religion and beliefs in the pantheon according to the dictates of their own conscience. The pharaoh and his priesthood had their own rites and religious ceremonies and these were rarely shared publicly accept on special occasion for various rites of procession.
Hey, this may be a dumb question. But, here goes. Is there a difference between a rite of procession and a rite of passage? I have more questions about the distinctions of religious rites as they apply to authority verses how they apply to adherence to that authority, but I, again, have no clue what I am talking about on the subject.
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Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Shulem »

Cultellus wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:46 pm
Hey, this may be a dumb question. But, here goes. Is there a difference between a rite of procession and a rite of passage? I have more questions about the distinctions of religious rites as they apply to authority verses how they apply to adherence to that authority, but I, again, have no clue what I am talking about on the subject.

Ain't no such thing as a dumb question except for "what's the king's name" in Facsimile No. 3?

:lol:

Ancient rites of procession varied and included special festivals, perhaps the king himself running around on temple grounds to prove he was fit. Or perhaps an idol being paraded before the crowd and even taken on the Nile river to various nomes or capital cities. My memory is not up to snuff on all this because I'm rusty in my Egyptian studies. But you can rest assured that the Egyptians practiced a variety of special rituals and consecrations in honoring their gods. And these evolved throughout the ages and with the different dynasties.

As far as rites of passage, those were special for boys who were trained to become priests or scribes in family lines. It was possible that even a commoner who had skills could rise up in the ranks and become famous. Ancient Egypt was an amazing society and little wonder it lasted longer than any other civilization. It's important that the memory of that great civilization be honored and preserved. It is part of our human heritage.
Cultellus

Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Cultellus »

Shulem wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:58 pm
Cultellus wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:46 pm
Hey, this may be a dumb question. But, here goes. Is there a difference between a rite of procession and a rite of passage? I have more questions about the distinctions of religious rites as they apply to authority verses how they apply to adherence to that authority, but I, again, have no clue what I am talking about on the subject.

Ain't no such thing as a dumb question except for "what's the king's name" in Facsimile No. 3?

:lol:

Ancient rites of procession varied and included special festivals, perhaps the king himself running around on temple grounds to prove he was fit. Or perhaps an idol being paraded before the crowd and even taken on the Nile river to various nomes or capital cities. My memory is not up to snuff on all this because I'm rusty in my Egyptian studies. But you can rest assured that the Egyptians practiced a variety of special rituals and consecrations in honoring their gods. And these evolved throughout the ages and with the different dynasties.

As far as rites of passage, those were special for boys who were trained to become priests or scribes in family lines. It was possible that even a commoner who had skills could rise up in the ranks and become famous. Ancient Egypt was an amazing society and little wonder it lasted longer than any other civilization. It's important that the memory of that great civilization be honored and preserved. It is part of our human heritage.
So I was sorta close on this. There are distinctions between the two, but also crossover in the intents or purposes of the rites. They both serve as part of a promotion (advancement), but also as part of promotion (marketing, adherence).
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Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Shulem »

Cultellus wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:12 pm
So I was sorta close on this. There are distinctions between the two, but also crossover in the intents or purposes of the rites. They both serve as part of a promotion (advancement), but also as part of promotion (marketing, adherence).

Yeah, pretty much the bottom line is religion is always about maintaining power and making money at the same time. Whether in ancient Egypt or in modern Mormonism, power and money go hand in hand.
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Re: Eternal Marriage

Post by Moksha »

Shulem wrote:
Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:58 pm
Ancient Egypt was an amazing society and little wonder it lasted longer than any other civilization.
Didn't China last longer?
Cry Heaven and let loose the Penguins of Peace
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