ROM Hosts International Symposium on Ancient Egypt and the Bible

The Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA)hosts its 35th Annual Symposium at the ROM on November 7, 2009

In association with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities (SSEA) presents Ancient Egypt and the Bible, its 35th Annual Symposium, on Saturday November 7, 2009. Presentations take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Room 1050 at University of Toronto’s Earth Sciences Centre, located at 5 Bancroft Place.

Ancient Egypt is intimately connected to three great religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and is the backdrop for some of the most well-known stories of the sacred texts of all three, including the Exodus, Joseph, and Abraham. The SSEA’s Symposium hosts a panel of internationally renowned scholars to skillfully illuminate the history behind these holy texts.

Scheduled speakers at the event include: Professor Donald B. Redford of Pennsylvania State University (author of Egypt, Canaan and Israel); Dr. John S. Holladay, Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto; Professor James K. Hoffmeier of Trinity International University (author of Israel in Egypt); and Henry T. Aubin (author of The Rescue of Jerusalem), in addition to other distinguished speakers.

Complementing Saturday’s full day Symposium, presentations also take place in the ROM’s Signy & Cléophée Eaton Theatre on Friday, November 6 from 9:00am to 4:30pm and on Sunday, November 8 from 12:00 to 5:00pm. These FREE talks, many given by scholars presenting their most recent work, examine numerous aspects of ancient Egypt, including daily life, culture, religion, and archaeology. Attendees on these days should enter through the President’s Choice School Entrance,at the south end of the ROM’s main building. This year’s Symposium, highlighting the interconnectedness of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is well-timed; the ROM’s extraordinary exhibition, Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World, on display until January 3, 2010, showcases one of the greatest archaeological finds of the 20th century - the earliest record of biblical patriarchs and prophets known to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Cost for the SSEA 35th Annual Symposium:
Public $95 (online, $90); Members $85 (online $80); Students with valid ID $45 ($40 online)

For more information on the lectures or to register online: www.rom.on.ca/programs/lectures/index.

Contacts during the SSEA 35th Annual Symposium Weekend:Gayle Gibson: 416.586.8053 Mark Trumpour 647.520.4339