Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt traces Ancient Egyptian religion and thought from the beginning of the dynasties with Menes at about 3400 B.C. through the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C. Author James Breasted uses ancient texts, such as The Book of the Dead and the Pyramid texts, to trace the history of Egyptian religion, as well as the effects of other cultures on the Egyptians. The chapters, or lectures, are separated into both periods religious thought and by century. This literary and historical analysis is essential for any Egyptology student or enthusiast. JAMES HENRY BREASTED (1865-1935) was an American historian and archaeologist, as well as the first American to receive a Ph.D. in Egyptology. Breasted studied at North-Central College, Chicago Theological Seminary, Yale University, and the University of Berlin. Breasted is most well-known for his coinage of the term "fertile crescent" to describe the region in western Asia that is considered the cradle of civilization. He was also a teacher at the University of Chicago, served as the Director of the Haskell Oriental Museum, helped found the Oriental Institute, boosted the collections of several museums, and wrote several books on ancient Near East civilizations.