Episodes
Cradle of Religions/Sacred Space
April 2, 2002
In the past 5,000 years, Egypt has been home to many gods. Pharaohs, Jews, Christians, and Muslims have all lived and worshipped there, leaving monuments and symbols of their faith across the landscape. We learn how the ancient gods and rituals impacted on modern religions to create a spiritually unique country. We examine the progression of religions--from ancient Pharaonic Polytheism to Judaism and Coptic Christianity and the modern Islamic state - and the structures associated with them.
Death & Rebirth/Land of Magic
April 3, 2002
As we examine the many differences evident among Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the religion of the pharaohs, we learn that they did share in the belief that a better life awaits us after death. And, we discover that magic was an essential element of ancient Egyptian life in matters ranging from health and wealth to love and war. Even after the pharaohs disappeared and the ancient gods vanished, magic remained and was used by Egyptian Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
