We are not including in our history the stories of Herodotus and certain other writers who deliberately chose fables over facts and spun yarns for amusement only. We will, however, outline what the priests of Egypt wrote in their sacred records, which we have examined minutely and thoroughly.
The author describes an arcane doctrine believed lost to time. It may be based on events that occurred more than 3,000 years ago, but Khaemwas still evokes the mystic heritage of Egypt. Traditional spiritual practices have always given people insight into their environments and allowed them to live harmoniously with them despite hardships that can only be imagined. Despite advancements in science and technology, we do not seem to be as equipped in the modern age. Undoubtedly, this is why we look to pass cultures such as Egypt for the elusive insights and powers we miss. We are like Khaemwas in many ways. We want to comprehend the mysteries of daily life and discover the source of all wisdom. Egypt's mystic heritage continues to attract our attention for these reasons.
So many ancients spoke of a legacy. What is it? Egyptian legends freely circulated among travelers, as noted by the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (60 B.C.E. ). Furthermore, the temples and tombs were regularly documented with similar stories. Some legends spoke of their gods, royal figures, sages, and adventurers who embodied the natural and supernatural forces of the world around them. A great deal of the information was gleaned from ancient texts.
Yet they differed from myths of other cultures, including Greek myths, which viewed it as a symbol of natural phenomena or metaphor for the universe rather than a factual narrative. Ancient Egyptians were not so rigid in their philosophical thinking; they made no distinction between myth and legend. Chronicles they inherited from Antiquity were believed to be actual events, either during a historical time when their gods inhabited the Earth or in a dimension they called "timeless time," when human beings had direct access to divine powers. Because legends gave meaning and purpose to the past, present, and future, they were vital and practical.
