The dawn of astronomy (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A study of the temple-worship and mythology of the ancient EgyptiansBy Norman Sir Lockyer
Length15h
About this audiobook
The dawn of astronomy is a pioneering study of the astronomical knowledge embedded in the monuments, temples, myths, and ritual calendars of ancient Egypt and the Near East. Written in a Victorian scientific prose that combines empirical observation, comparative philology, and speculative reconstruction, the book argues that early religion and architecture were profoundly shaped by celestial observation. Lockyer's attention to temple orientations, solstitial and stellar alignments, and priestly timekeeping places the work at the origins of what would later be called archaeoastronomy. Sir Norman Lockyer was an eminent British astronomer, spectroscopist, and founder of Nature, best known for his role in identifying helium in the solar spectrum. His scientific career, devoted to light, solar physics, and the measurement of celestial phenomena, naturally informed his fascination with ancient sky-watching cultures. The book reflects both his technical expertise and the nineteenth-century ambition to connect modern science with the origins of civilization. This volume is recommended to readers interested in astronomy, Egyptology, the history of science, and the intellectual culture of the late Victorian era. Though some conclusions have been revised by later scholarship, its bold interdisciplinary method remains historically important and intellectually stimulating.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreScience and Nature
Length15 hrs
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 9, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1The dawn of astronomy (Annotated)
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6PREFACE.
7ERRATA.
8CHAPTER I. THE WORSHIP OF THE SUN AND THE DAWN.
9CHAPTER II. THE FIRST GLIMPSES OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY.
10CHAPTER III. THE ASTRONOMICAL BASIS OF THE EGYPTIAN PANTHEON.
11CHAPTER IV. THE TWO HORIZONS.
12CHAPTER V. THE YEARLY PATH OF THE SUN-GOD.
13CHAPTER VI. THE PROBABLE HOR-SHESU WORSHIP.
14CHAPTER VII. METHODS OF DETERMINING THE ORIENTATION OF TEMPLES.
15CHAPTER VIII. THE EARLIEST SOLAR SHRINES IN EGYPT.
16CHAPTER IX. OTHER SIMILAR SHRINES ELSEWHERE.
17CHAPTER X. THE SOLAR TEMPLE OF AMEN-RĀ AT KARNAK.
18CHAPTER XI. THE AGE OF THE TEMPLE OF AMEN-RĀ AT KARNAK.
19CHAPTER XII. THE STARS—THEIR RISINGS AND SETTINGS.
20CHAPTER XIII. THE EGYPTIAN HEAVENS—THE ZODIACS OF DENDERAH.
21CHAPTER XIV. THE CIRCUMPOLAR CONSTELLATIONS: THE MYTH OF HORUS.
22CHAPTER XV. TEMPLES DIRECTED TO THE STARS.
23CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER INQUIRIES WITH REGARD TO THE STELLAR TEMPLES.
24CHAPTER XVII. THE BUILDING INSCRIPTIONS.
25CHAPTER XVIII. THE STAR-TEMPLES AT KARNAK.
26CHAPTER XIX. THE PERSONIFICATION OF STARS—THE TEMPLE OF ISIS AT DENDERAH.
27CHAPTER XX. THE PERSONIFICATION OF STARS (CONTINUED) —THE TEMPLE OF HATHOR AT DENDERAH.
28CHAPTER XXI. STAR-CULTS.
29CHAPTER XXII. STAR-CULTS (CONTINUED) —AMEN-T AND KHONS.
30CHAPTER XXIII. THE EGYPTIAN YEAR AND THE NILE.
31CHAPTER XXIV. THE YEARS OF 360 AND 365 DAYS.
32CHAPTER XXV. THE VAGUE AND THE SIRIAN YEARS.
33CHAPTER XXVI. THE SOTHIC CYCLE AND THE USE MADE OF IT.
34CHAPTER XXVII. THE CALENDAR AND ITS REVISION.
35CHAPTER XXVIII. THE FIXED YEAR AND FESTIVAL CALENDARS.
36CHAPTER XXIX. THE MYTHOLOGY OF ISIS AND OSIRIS.
37CHAPTER XXX. THE TEMPLE-STARS.
38CHAPTER XXXI. THE HISTORY OF SUN-WORSHIP AT ANNU AND THEBES.
39CHAPTER XXXII. THE EARLY TEMPLE AND GREAT PYRAMID BUILDERS.
40The Buildings of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties.
41The Buildings of the Eighteenth Dynasty.
42The Buildings of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty.
43Conclusion.
44CHAPTER XXXIII. THE CULT OF NORTHERN AS OPPOSED TO SOUTHERN STARS.
45CHAPTER XXXIV. THE ORIGIN OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY—THE NORTHERN SCHOOLS.
46The Annu School. The Worship of Set.
47The Equinoctial School—The Worship of the Spring-Sun.
48CHAPTER XXXV. THE ORIGIN OF EGYPTIAN ASTRONOMY (CONTINUED) —THE THEBES SCHOOL.
49The God of Eridu.
50The Myths of Horus and Marduk.
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