[lU] 



CONCEPTS REGARDING DEAD AMONG 

 ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS-3000 TO 1000 B.C. 



Xlie history written during the early part of our civilization in- 

 dicates that an evolution occurred in concepts regarding death 

 and the afterlife. Prior to this, primitive people had undoubtedly 

 conceived the idea of a human soul and had heavily populated 

 their world with unseen ghosts, practically all of which could 

 do harm in manifold ways. Much of their daily behavior was de- 

 termined by their mental reactions to them. The new thoughts 

 which were introduced by certain advanced groups in this period 

 were those of personal salvation and retribution in either a 

 nether world or heavenly existence. What an individual did, 

 therefore, during life could be of paramount significance to him 

 after death. Associated with the origin of this novel trend, were 

 specific myths revolving around events said to have happened dur- 

 ing the lives of certain gods. The story of this development is 

 intimately related to the genesis of the ancient religions which 

 is so important in understanding human reactions to the dead. 

 It is the purpose of the present chapter to review some of the 

 highlights of these changes. The countries which will be con- 

 sidered in this respect are the following: China, Japan, Egypt, 

 Babylonia, Assyria, India, Greece and Italy. 



A. China 



Primitiveness characterized the early religions and concepts 

 of the dead in ancient China. In all cases, the cause of death 

 was judged to be due to the malevolent action of demons. Avoid- 

 ance of a death house or corpse was practiced because of fear of 

 a possible lingering, angry, ghostly influence. Both nature and 

 ancestors were worshiped. All powers were conceived in terms 

 of localized spirits which could be celestial, terrestrial or human. 



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