The Egyptian Book of the Dead or "Dead Men's Books" used text and illustrations to guide people on their journey through the afterlife. To the Egyptians, death was the start of a series of challenges, tasks, and pitfalls one had to endure. The Book of the Dead, written by Egyptian scribes, provided guidance, answers to questions and riddles, warnings about challenges and dangers. Wealthy citizens received complete copies with full text and illustrations. However, poor Egyptians received partial copies with mostly illustrations.