The ancient Egyptians are an enduring source of fascination, from mummies and pyramids, to curses and rituals. In this second edition of his Very Short Introduction, Ian Shaw explores the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt, and examines the latest research on Ancient Egyptian ideas of death, kingship, religion, race, sex, and gender. The author is on top of every aspect of their topics, and fully up to date... The entirely new chapter on the 'Arab Spring', new museums, and cultural heritage in modern Egypt is very welcome and thought provoking.