- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: British Museum Press (Mar 1989)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0714117048
- ISBN-13: 978-0714117041
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,182,720 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The ancient Egyptians were skilled in the use of herbs and spices for medicines, cooking, cosmetics, perfumes and many other purposes. The author draws on texts by the Egyptians and their neighbours, and on works by classical authors and the Copts, to reconstruct a herbal of 94 species of plants and trees, used earlier than the pharoahs and up to the Coptic period. It reveals, for instance, that celery was used as a contraceptive, wild bananas as an aphrodisiac, and juniper berries as cure for asthma. Each plant is named in Latin and English, and, where known, in ancient Egyptian, Greek and modern Arabic. An account follows of the plant's special properties, with authentic recipes for cosmetics and cures. The author also discusses the uses made of herbs and flowers, and the importance of plants for both funerary and festive occasions. Each plate is discussed in detail, and in his introduction, the author explores the changing relationship of the artists with nature and art. His previous books are "Turner's Venice" and (co-authored) "Drawing in England from Hilliard to Hogarth".
About the Author
Dr Lise Manniche, a leading Egyptologist, is the author of many books, including City of the Dead and Music and Musicians in Ancient Egypt. She also regularly broadcasts on television programmes such as Gardener's World.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a thorough and well researched study of the uses made of herbs, plants and spices in ancient Egypt. It approaches the subject in an easy to read, familiar style and yet manages to retain a thorough academic basis. The book draws on ancient texts and classical works as well as adding some of the author's own genuinely interesting insights. The book does not purport to be a complete or comprehensive work containing details of all Egyptian flora, but it makes a creditable stab at covering everything that is likely to be of interest to most readers. The index and bibliographies are particularly helpful as is the table of comparisons giving the Latin, English, Egyptian names alongside the references in Dioscorides.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lise Manniche starts this fabulously concise book with an thorough introduction to herbs, plants and spices and their uses within the Ancient Egyptian culture. These uses extend to all areas of Ancient Egyptian life, namely food preparation, cosmetics, perfume, burial rituals and of course for medicinal use. Manniche explores all of these sectors in great detail and paints a vivid picture of life within the Ancient Egyptian period. The latter section of the book comprises an index of the herbs, plants and spices used including all of their antiquarian uses and thorough lists of ingredients for making authentic concoctions to deal with a variety of different ailments.
I found this to be a fascinating and informative read, enhanced by the rich, descriptive narrative and the interesting collection of photographs and line drawings. I found it incredible to notice that the Ancient Egyptian herbal uses are comparable to modern day uses for herbal supplements.
If you have any interest in herbalism, or Ancient Egypt then treat yourself to this wonderfully absorbing book.
I found this to be a fascinating and informative read, enhanced by the rich, descriptive narrative and the interesting collection of photographs and line drawings. I found it incredible to notice that the Ancient Egyptian herbal uses are comparable to modern day uses for herbal supplements.
If you have any interest in herbalism, or Ancient Egypt then treat yourself to this wonderfully absorbing book.
Format:Paperback
Originally published in 1989, but updated and revised in 2006 to include recent research, Lise Manniche's Ancient Egyptian Herbal is an informative, easy read, ideally recommended to anyone with an interest in both ancient Egypt and anything to do with plants - cooking, medicine, perfumery, ornamentation etc.
The first half of the book provides an introduction to the topic and discusses the surviving evidence and the ways in which plants were used for the aforementioned uses. The second half of the book is the actual herbal catalogue. The subject is mildly interesting, from my point of view, though not gripping, and it's presented in a clear way. Manniche looks at the uses of each plant in not just ancient Egypt but also Coptic, Hellenistic, Medieval and modern Egypt, and the occasional cross-over reference to known ancient Assyrian remedies also. As a resource, it fulfils its function well. The use of illustrations from the ancient Egyptian world, where possible, also enlivens the text.
All in all, does what it says on the tin. I would have liked the images to have been in colour, and at some point it will no doubt need updating again to account for recent research.
The first half of the book provides an introduction to the topic and discusses the surviving evidence and the ways in which plants were used for the aforementioned uses. The second half of the book is the actual herbal catalogue. The subject is mildly interesting, from my point of view, though not gripping, and it's presented in a clear way. Manniche looks at the uses of each plant in not just ancient Egypt but also Coptic, Hellenistic, Medieval and modern Egypt, and the occasional cross-over reference to known ancient Assyrian remedies also. As a resource, it fulfils its function well. The use of illustrations from the ancient Egyptian world, where possible, also enlivens the text.
All in all, does what it says on the tin. I would have liked the images to have been in colour, and at some point it will no doubt need updating again to account for recent research.
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