by M.R. A. Swartz

Created on: May 14, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2008

Ancient Egyptians and Greek peoples had very distinct features of death and the afterlife, however these two cultures had a meaning of life that dramatically differed.

The lifestyles of the Egyptians and Greeks were full of hardship, wars, famines, and fortunes. There were slaves who didn't even own themselves to Kings and Pharaohs who rode solid gold chariots. One thing however was certain even if you were perceived as a living deity: you were going to die. How these two cultures prepared for this eminent death and what they expected to happen after-wards is what I will compare, but more importantly what was difference in their emotion of death.

Egyptians spent their lives preparing for death. Death was seen as something much greater than this reality lived here on Earth. Your social status determined how elaborate your tomb and the items you placed with you were. The body was to remain intact and regular offerings of food and drink were placed at the tomb for the Ba, or soul, of the person who remained in the mummy. After death your Ka, or life force, went through a 'weighing of the heart' to determine if you were a good person.

Greeks lived their lives to please the Gods. Although Socrates accepted death calmly, the average Greek feared death. The Greeks were more of an Earth based culture with many Gods living on Earth as prominent people or animals. They had elaborate funerals with strict rules and rituals for the deceased. There were special burial grounds for warriors and a funeral could take up to a week. Their beliefs were based on Homer who said the psyche of the departed left the body for Hades and furthered by Aristotle that intellect wasn't possible while the body was intact.

Both cultures believed in life after death and in a judging of a person to put them in a place of punishment or pleasure. They both had complex funerals and emphasis on the body of the dead. Egyptians however accepted death and saw it in the most positive light than any culture that I have studied. Their civilization dominated and lasted for thousands of years. This makes me think that this way of thinking obviously worked. If you live your life for death and aren't trying to prevent it, your mind is much clearer to make decisions which aren't bias.

I feel that the Greeks death ethos resembles the way we feel today on death. We honor those who fight in wars, funerals and traditions are very important, and we are very Earthly. We don't fear the Gods wrath on Earth like the Greeks yet we are focused on ourselves on Earth more than our afterlives. It does not consume our lives as it did the Egyptians. Most modern Americans go through their day without ever thinking, what if I die today?' This emotion is the underlying factor between the Egyptians and Greeks, even as the rest of their proceedings seem to be so similar.

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