Scales and Balances

Martin, Joseph D.

doi:10.1142/9789811207631_0006

Scales and Balances

Martin, Joseph D.

Authors

Dr Joseph Martin joseph.d.martin@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Contributors

Dr Joseph Martin joseph.d.martin@durham.ac.uk
Editor

Cyrus C.M. Mody
Editor

Abstract

In Ancient Egyptian mythology, entry into the afterlife was secure only after the weighing of the heart (Figure 1.4.1). The gods would place the deceased’s heart on a scale opposite the feather of Maat, symbolizing the seven cardinal virtues of truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity, and order. Those whose hearts were in equilibrium with Maat could pass into the afterlife; hearts heavy with misdeeds would be devoured by Ammut — a chimerical, crocodile-headed goddess — consigning the soul of the deceased to oblivion…

Citation

Martin, J. D. (2020). Scales and Balances. In J. D. Martin, & C. C. Mody (Eds.), Between making and knowing : tools in the history of materials research (53-61). World Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811207631_0006

Publication Date	2020
Deposit Date	Jun 23, 2020
Publicly Available Date	Aug 30, 2023
Publisher	World Scientific Publishing
Pages	53-61
Book Title	Between making and knowing : tools in the history of materials research.
ISBN	9789811207624
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811207631_0006
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1628251