The deeds which he had done here on earth in no wise influenced the fate which awaited the man after death.

Whether good or bad, from the moment when the funeral rites were performed and the necessary prayers recited, he was rich and happy.

In order to establish his identity, it was enough to record his name, his title, and his parentage; his past was taken for granted.

But when once a belief in rewards and punishments to come had taken possession of men's minds, they bethought them of the advisability of giving to each dead man the benefit of his individual merits.

To the official register of his social status, they now therefore added a brief biographical notice.