How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"The Egyptians made models out of wax or clay—servants to do every kind of job they could imagine in the afterlife. They were supposed to come to life when their master called, so the deceased person could, like, kick back and relax and let the shabti do all his work for eternity." (7.116)
Egyptian religion is pretty concerned with its afterlife plan. It's kind of like having insurance: make the right plans and follow the rules, and you'll spend eternity in comfort.
Quote #5
"When you died in ancient Egypt, you had to take a journey to the Land of the Dead…A really dangerous journey. Finally, you made it to the Hall of Judgment, where your life was weighed on the Scales of Anubis: your heart on one side, the feather of truth on the other. If you passed the test, you were blessed with eternal happiness. If you failed, a monster ate your heart and you ceased to exist." (25.68)
On second thought, the Egyptian concept of the afterlife doesn't sound like it's all puppies and sunshine. The take-home message is to make sure you live a good life, so that you don't risk a run-in with the devourer of souls.
Quote #6
"But how do we even get to the Land of the Dead?" I asked. "I mean… without dying." Thoth gazed down the western horizon, where the sunset was turning blood-red. "Down the river at night, I should think. That's how most people pass into the Land of the Dead." (25.72-73)
Religions often have their own geography: here's where the mortal world is in relationship to the afterlife world, for instance. Since rivers were so important to living Egyptians—because, hello, desert—it makes sense that rivers would figure prominently in their afterlife.