Video: Egypt - Land of the Gods

Summary:

Religion has flourished along the banks of the Nile for over 5,000 years. From the days of Ra and the pharaohs to the blending of ancient beliefs into modern-day Islamic rituals, EGYPT: LAND OF THE GODS is a sweeping look at faith and belief in this exotic and important land.

The story of religion in Egypt is told through visits to the many temples, mosques, churches and other holy places that dot the countryside. Using these sacred sites as guides, scholars like Dr. Elaine Pagels of Princeton University and Dr. James P. Allen of the Metropolitan Museum of Art reveal how the contemporary monotheistic beliefs as practiced in Egypt share a number of surprising traits with the ancient faiths that preceded them, particularly regarding conceptions of the afterworld.

From pyramid power to Moses, the worship of the sun god to Saint Augustine, experts reveal the supernatural beliefs, unusual rituals, and other spiritual practices that have influenced and informed Egyptian society for thousands of years.

(2 hours)