Chapter II: Introduction: v-xxii

TABLE OF CONTENTS xxiii-xxvii

I.

Forms of the Word Scarabæus. Veneration of the Ancient Egyptians for the scarabæus. Entomology of the insect. Symbolism of according to Plutarch, Pliny and Horapollo. Its astronomical value. Worship of insects by other peoples. Symbolism, with the Egyptians, of the scarabæus. Uses of it with them 1-17

II.

Manufacture of the Scarabæi. Materials. Inscriptions on. Different periods of manufacture and the peculiarities of. How to judge of the epoch. 18-29

III.

Method, period and antiquity, of engraving the scarab and other forms. Use of rings. Mention of, and of engraving and sealing, in the Old Testament. Use of cylinder signets by the Egyptians. Relations with Mesopotamia. Carving of diorite and other hard stone. The Egyptians did not borrow their engraving and the scarab, from Mesopotamia. Disuse of scarabs 30-45

IV.

The oldest scarabs. Classification and value of the scarab to the scholar of to-day. Large inscribed historical scarabs 46-56

V.

Where usually found and the mode of wearing scarabs by the Egyptians, Book of the Dead. Egyptian scarabs found in Mesopotamia. The scarab in Christianity 57-64

VI.

The position of the scarab in Ancient Egyptian religion and the Book of the Dead. Egyptian philosophy. Advanced intellectuality of Egypt six thousand years ago. Deities of libraries and learning. Ancient librarians and books. The division of learned men into different branches of study. The statements of Greek writers on Egyptian thought not to be depended upon. Quotations from the Book of the Dead on the symbolism of the scarabæus deity. The symbolism of the Great Sphinx. Further quotations from the Book of the Dead, on the symbolism of the scarab deity 65-90

VII.

Importance of the heart in the Ancient Egyptian religion. Immortality of the soul according to that religion. Symbolism of the scarab in their doctrine of such immortality. No thing in this universe absolutely destroyed, only changed. The idea of metempsychosis in Ancient Egypt. Elevated ideas as to the deity. Hymn to Ammon-Ra cited. Quotations as to Egyptian philosophy, evolution of the universe and kosmogony. Of Khepra and of Tum or Atmu. Egyptian psychology and its divisions 91-122

VIII.

Forgery of scarabs in modern times. Difficulty of detecting such. Other Egyptian antiquities also counterfeited by the present inhabitants of Egypt 123-127

IX.

Phoenician scarabs. Manufactured mostly as article of trade. Used inscribed scarabs as seals in commercial and other transactions. Many scarabs found in Sardinia 128-133

X.

Etruscan scarabs. Origin of and where found. Copied from Egyptian but with changes in subjects, size and ornamentation. The engraving of. Where usually found. Uses by the Etruscans. Greek and Roman scarabs. Gnostic, of the Basilidians 134-143