What steps did ancient Egyptians take to ensure a smooth journey to the afterlife? How did Romans bury their dead?

Get an overview of the beliefs and practices relating to death and the afterlife in the ancient Egyptian and Roman worlds. This Sunday Drop-In Tour will start on the first floor, where we will talk about the Egyptian doctrine of the five essential parts of being, the role that these played in having a successful afterlife, and how the spirit of the deceased navigated to the underworld. Heading upstairs to the Roman galleries, we will next discuss the options that people had for burial (inhumation or cremation) and the processes each method involved. Finally, a trip to the Villa of the Mysteries will allow us to explore the subversive cult of Dionysus that acted as a counter to traditional Roman religions—offering the prospect of a happy afterlife.

This event is free and open to all visitors. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessing this event, please visit our accessibility page at https://myumi.ch/zwPkd or contact the education office by calling (734) 647-4167. We ask for advance notice as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.