Civilization of ancient Egypt, Egypt's antiquities , Old sights in Egypt, the pharaohs mythology, ancient Egyptian culture, ancient Egyptian life. Modern civilizations, and modern tourist attractions
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Sharm el Sheikh
More and more people are taking advantage of cheap holidays to Sharm el Sheikh and immersing themselves in the fantastic culture, history and facilities that the resort has to offer. This Egyptian holiday destination has everything you could possibly want from a holiday resort, plus a wide range of added extras. You may be booking a cheap holiday to Sharm but you will not be compromising on your holiday experience. With spectacular beaches that stretch across the coast or the resort, you are never far away from the golden sands and crystal clear waters. Many tourists flock to Sharm el Sheikh to take advantage of the fantastic diving opportunities. The Red Sea is renowned for its coral reef and colourful sea life and a diving holiday is a great way to experience this underwater paradise. Many of the beaches also offer exciting water sports, from wind surfing to sailing; there is something for all levels of adrenaline junkies!If you prefer to stay on dry land, why not explore some of the fantastic shopping opportunities during your cheap holiday to Sharm? From shopping malls that offer designer labels, to local street markets, there is something for all tastes and budgets. The street markets are a fantastic way to experience an authentic taste of Egyptian culture, many items do not have fixed prices so be prepared to haggle your way to a bargain. The street markets are also a great way to discover Egyptian cuisine; no Sharm break is complete without trying one of the famed Egyptian kebabs! Cheap holidays to Sharm are a great way to experience a slice of luxury without the price tag. With an almost never ending list of things to see and do, you will be spoilt for choice in this fantastic Egypt resort.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Karnak Temple
Karnak describes a vast conglomerate of ruined temples, chapels and other buildings of various dates. The name Karnak comes from the nearby village of el-Karnak. Whereas Luxor to the south was Ipet-rsyt, Karnak was ancient Ipet-isut, perhaps the most select of Places. Theban kings and the god Amun came to prominence at the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. From that time, the temples of Karnak were built, enlarged, torn down, added to, and restored for more than 2000 years. The ancient Egyptians considered Ipet-Isut as the place of the majestic rising of the first time, where Amun-Ra made the first mound of earth rise from Nun. At Karnak, the high priests recognized a king as the beloved son of Amun, king of all the gods. The coronation and jubilees were also held here. Staffed by more than 80,000 people under Ramesses III, the temple was also the administrative center of enormous holdings of agricultural land. The largest and most important group in the site is the central enclosure, the Great Temple of Amun proper. The layout of the Great Temple consists of a series of pylons of various dates. The earliest are Pylons IV and V, built by Tutmosis I, and from then on the temple was enlarged by building in a westerly and southerly direction. Courts or halls run between the pylons, leading to the main sanctuary. The temple is built along two axes, with a number of smaller temples and chapels and a sacred lake. The northern enclosure belongs to Montu, the original god of the Theban area, while the enclosure of Mut lies to the south and is connected with Amun’s precinct by an alley of ram-headed sphinxes. An avenue bordered by sphinxes linked Karnak with the Luxor temple, and canals connected the temples of Amun and Montu with the Nile. Amenhotep IV, who changed his name to Akhenaten, erected several temples for his new state deity to the east of the central enclosure of Amun. The most conspicuous features of these temples were open courts surrounded by pillars and colossal statues of the king. The temples were dismantled in the post-Amarna period and the stone blocks reused in later structures, especially the pylons built by Horemheb.
Abu Simbel Temple
Perhaps after the Giza pyramids, or coincident with them, the great temple of Abu Simbel presents the most familiar image of ancient Egypt to the modern traveler and reader. When the conservation efforts to preserve the temple from the soon-to be built High Aswan Dam and its rising waters were begun in the 1960s, images of the colossal statues filled newspapers and books. The temples were dismantled and relocated in 1968 on the desert plateau, 200 feet above and 600 feet west of their original location. Abu Simbel lies south of Aswan on the western bank of the Nile, 180 miles south of the First Cataract in what was Nubia. The site was known as Meha in ancient times and was first documented in the 18th Dynasty, when Ay and Horemheb had rock-cut chapels hewn in the hills to the south.
Temples in egypt
One of the most beautiful attractions of Egypt are its temples.
While there are a lot of temples, more than you could hope to visit when you travel to Egypt, we will show you the most famous and beautiful ones are :•
The Red Sea Coast
It runs from the Gulf of Suez, and it harbors one of the major attractions of the tourism of Egypt: the city of Hurghada. Visited by more than 2.5 million people every year, it’s yielding more than 3 billion dollars to Egypt’s economy. Located 550 Km from Cairo it stretches for 60Km along the coast. It has more than 170 hotels and its climate makes it possible to practice diving all year. The main tourist attraction is the marine life, consisting in lots of coral and colorful fish, very close to the shore. Hurghada is now a world centre for sea sports, and the offshore underwater gardens are famous amongst divers. There are glass bottom boats trough which you can observe the many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs that are developing on the ideal conditions and warm waters.
The Monastery of Saint Catherine
Mount Sinai hosts Sinai’s most famous archeological monument – the St. Catherine monastery. Built by the mother of Constantine the Great, Empress Helena, in 342 A.D, on the place where it is believed that Moses received the two tablets – the site of the Burning Bush – it includes a chapel known as Virgin Mary. Emperor Justinian ordered in the 6th century A.D the building of a church – the Church of Transfiguration - and of a high enclosure wall with protective towers to protect it against the attacks of the Bedouins. He also provided it with 200 Roman soldiers to defend it.
Saint Catherine lived in Alexandria during the reign of Maximinus in 305-313 A.D, during the persecution of Christians. When she converted to Christianity the Roman tortured her, and in 307 A.D. beheaded her. Five centuries later, a monk had a vision of her body carried by angels, placing her on the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai. Following this vision, the monks carried her relics to the Church of Transfiguration, next to the monastery called “The Virgin”. Since then, the monastery has been known as Saint Catherine. It lies in a breath taking site, on a high location, 480m above sea level, with a great climate and plenty of fresh water
Saint Catherine lived in Alexandria during the reign of Maximinus in 305-313 A.D, during the persecution of Christians. When she converted to Christianity the Roman tortured her, and in 307 A.D. beheaded her. Five centuries later, a monk had a vision of her body carried by angels, placing her on the peak of the highest mountain in Sinai. Following this vision, the monks carried her relics to the Church of Transfiguration, next to the monastery called “The Virgin”. Since then, the monastery has been known as Saint Catherine. It lies in a breath taking site, on a high location, 480m above sea level, with a great climate and plenty of fresh water
Great Sphinx
The Sphinx, or “the living image” as the ancients called it, is by far one of the most recognizable constructions in history. Made out of soft sandstone, it is believed that it would have disappeared long ago if it wasn’t buried for such long periods in the sand. He faces the sun, and the ancient Egyptians revered it so much that they built a temple in front of it. He is 60m long and 20m tall. Between his front paws, there is a stele installed by King Thutmose IV, describing how when he was young, he went hunting and fell asleep in the shade of the Sphinx’s head. He had a dream of Ra, the Sun God, telling him trough the Sphinx to clear away the sand because it was choking on it, and if he did that he would become the King of Egypt. He cleared away the sand, and after 2 years, as promised by the God, the Prince was made King of Egypt
the most famous feature of Egypt are it’s Pyramids
Built as tombs for Kings and Queens, surrounded by myths and mystery, the Pyramids were the target of tons of movies and books, and attract a massive number of tourists to Egypt. The most famous of them all, are the three Pyramids
of Giza: Khufu, Khafre - his son, and Menkaure – his grandson.
of Giza: Khufu, Khafre - his son, and Menkaure – his grandson.
The Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops in Greek), also called the Great Pyramid, is the oldest, the largest, the tallest and most intact. Situated near Cairo, it is the last Wonder of the World still standing. Built over a 20 year period around 2560 BC, it is considered an architectural masterpiece. It has an angle of 52 degrees and its four sides face the four cardinal points precisely. It contains around 1,300,000 blocks ranging in weight from 2.5 tons to 15 tons and is built on a square base with sides measuring about 230m! The original height was 146.5m – only 137m in the present, due to the theft of the fine quality limestone covering, or casing stones. As almost every Pyramid in Egypt, its entrance lays at the northern side. There are actually 2 entrances: the original, 17m above ground level, and a forced entranced located below it, made by the stonemasons of Khalif El-Mamoun in the 9th Century A.D, who wanted to get his hands on the treasures kept hidden inside the Pyramid. They opened up an entrance, and cut it midway across the centre of the northern side. The tunnel they cut goes 35m into the Pyramid, and connects at the end with the original inner corridors. He found nothing inside, as it was plundered in antiquity. Today this entrance is considered a shortcut and is used by visitors. From the main entrance there is a descending corridor for about 100m, to an unfinished burial chamber, 24m below ground level, and inaccessible today. 20m in the descending corridor there’s a connected corridor, taking you up into the Pyramid’s heart. This corridor ends in the Grand Gallery, a large, long, rectangular hall, 49m long, and 15m high, with a long tunnel, at the bottom, leading to the 2nd chamber, called the “Queens Chamber”. It has nothing to do with a Queen though, it was given its name by the early Arabs, who entered the Pyramids.
At the end of the Grand Gallery lays the entrance to the real burial chamber of King Cheops, where his stone sarcophagus is found, made out of one block of granite. The chamber is made out of granite brought from Aswan, 1000km away, and it has a rectangular form, and a flat roof, made of 9 slabs of granite, each one about 50 tons in weight! The huge weight above could have caused the chamber to collapse, so to be able to sustain it the Ancient Egyptians build 5 small relieving chambers above the roof. These chambers are also made of granite, about 1m above each other. The tops of the first 4 are flat, while the 5th one has a pointed top to divert the enormous pressure away from the burial chamber. The northern and southern walls of the burial chamber have two small tunnels with rectangular entrances called “star shafts” that in the ancient cult were believed to connect the King with the stars.
At the end of the Grand Gallery lays the entrance to the real burial chamber of King Cheops, where his stone sarcophagus is found, made out of one block of granite. The chamber is made out of granite brought from Aswan, 1000km away, and it has a rectangular form, and a flat roof, made of 9 slabs of granite, each one about 50 tons in weight! The huge weight above could have caused the chamber to collapse, so to be able to sustain it the Ancient Egyptians build 5 small relieving chambers above the roof. These chambers are also made of granite, about 1m above each other. The tops of the first 4 are flat, while the 5th one has a pointed top to divert the enormous pressure away from the burial chamber. The northern and southern walls of the burial chamber have two small tunnels with rectangular entrances called “star shafts” that in the ancient cult were believed to connect the King with the stars.
The History of Egypt
Born 5,000 years ago on the banks of the River Nile, the Egyptian civilization evolved and flourished longer than any civilization at that time, for 3,000 years. Located between Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is filled with remnants of ancient times, making it a huge tourist attraction. Its history started being recorded around 3300 BC, when Egyptian writing evolved enough to do it. In 3100 BC, King Menes the Pharaoh united Lower and Upper Egypt, creating a single Kingdom. He built Memphis in the North, and Abydos in the South, as the two capital cities. Under the rule of consecutive strong and able Pharaohs, Egypt established a well organized government. At the same time the calendar was introduced. The most beloved God was Ra, the Sun God. No civilization could compete with Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs, it had the greatest buildings, the greatest wealth, long centuries of peace. The pharaohs were considered gods, and no words were enough to express the Egyptians respect and adoration for them. They were given names like “Son of Ra” or the “Giver of Life”, and touching them, or even their crown or scepter by mistake, was punishable by death. The Pharaoh was in the service of the Gods; he would make offerings of food and water, and in return the Gods would feed the souls of the Egyptians after death. He was the one that helped the Sun rise in the morning and the Nile flood in the summer.
As time passed, authority began to weaken in Egypt, and foreign princes got in control. They introduced horses and chariots to Egypt. After numerous failed dynasties and deaths of great rulers during a 400 year period, the power got in the hands of priests and the Empire declined.
Then, Persians invaded Egypt. But after a few years, in 333 BC, pursuing them came the legend – Alexander the Great. He defeated the Persians, and entered Memphis in triumph, being hailed by the Egyptians and called the King of Egypt. A great diplomat, he showed great respect and veneration to the gods of Egypt. He decided to visit the Oracle of Amon to consult the seer and he stopped on his journey to rest in an old village, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Lake of Mariott. He decided to build a town here - Alexandria. He journeyed to Asia then, to fight the Persians, and died in Babylon in 323 BC, never seeing the city that bears his name. It is believed though that he is buried in Alexandria. After he died, his Empire got divided between his generals, and the Greeks ruled Egypt until the reign of Cleopatra VII. Along with her son, she ruled Egypt from Alexandria, which became a world center of Greek culture. Greek-speaking Pharaohs ruled over Egypt for the next 300 years, until it became a province of Rome. A division of power in Rome resulted in the abandonment of Egypt and after many years of war with foreign powers that took over for short periods of time, it finally became an independent country with a President.
As time passed, authority began to weaken in Egypt, and foreign princes got in control. They introduced horses and chariots to Egypt. After numerous failed dynasties and deaths of great rulers during a 400 year period, the power got in the hands of priests and the Empire declined.
Then, Persians invaded Egypt. But after a few years, in 333 BC, pursuing them came the legend – Alexander the Great. He defeated the Persians, and entered Memphis in triumph, being hailed by the Egyptians and called the King of Egypt. A great diplomat, he showed great respect and veneration to the gods of Egypt. He decided to visit the Oracle of Amon to consult the seer and he stopped on his journey to rest in an old village, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Lake of Mariott. He decided to build a town here - Alexandria. He journeyed to Asia then, to fight the Persians, and died in Babylon in 323 BC, never seeing the city that bears his name. It is believed though that he is buried in Alexandria. After he died, his Empire got divided between his generals, and the Greeks ruled Egypt until the reign of Cleopatra VII. Along with her son, she ruled Egypt from Alexandria, which became a world center of Greek culture. Greek-speaking Pharaohs ruled over Egypt for the next 300 years, until it became a province of Rome. A division of power in Rome resulted in the abandonment of Egypt and after many years of war with foreign powers that took over for short periods of time, it finally became an independent country with a President.
Lighthouse of Alexandria
Old or the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Lighthouse of Alexandria) is one of the seven wonders of the world .. The third is in the past wonders of the ancient world. Set up the lighthouse at the eastern part of the island of Pharos (phare) .. And called the name .. has become the name of the Pharos lighthouse note of the convention or lighthouse in European languages .. And from it derived the word "Farologi" refers to the science Oulfnarat lighthouses. Dates back to the establishment of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in 280 BC. M (third century BC) .. The purpose of the construction is to guide the sailors at the coast of Egypt was the low light emitted from the fire set in a lighthouse reflected from the copper mirrors Kdu moving to the area around the beacon. Construction began in the era of Ptolemy I, completed in the era of Ptolemy II .. It was built by architect and engineer Greco Sostratos. Building of the lighthouse was the limestone columns granite was mostly .. The sweetened parts of the building with marble and bronze .. It will be recalled for "beacon" It was built of stone and leaded regular in the barrages of glass, and those arches on the back of a maritime cancer. It is said that the total construction costs at the time amounted to 8 thousand Talent (talent) (equivalent to a quarter million pounds). The beacon is composed of four floors .. And a height between 120 meters to 135 metersGround floor of the lighthouse was about 60 meters high .. The square shape the view of many windows and a number of rooms is the 300 rooms were equipped for the accommodation of workers run the lighthouse and their families .. As well as to store the machinery and tools for the beacon .. And ends with the floor surface in all four sides with colossal statues of bronze, representing Triton (triton) I'm Neptune (Neptune) god of the sea. The second floor was octagonal and a height of about 30 meters and the third floor of a round topped summit of the lighthouse and a large lamp (lantern) .. (Which is the source of lighting in the Al-Manar) was held on eight columns with a dome above a statue a height of about seven meters .. It is likely that he was a god of the sea and earthquakes, "Poseidon." Historians did not reach the exact way to lighting the lamp (lantern) very high .. It is said that the climb to the lighthouse and down it is by spiral staircase. There was a lighthouse in the yard crane machine operating hydraulic system was used to transport fuel (wood) to the top of lighthouse where there is light .. It was reported Arab traveler Ibn Jabir .. That he saw the light of the lighthouse from a distance of 70 miles in the sea. And the method of transferring fuel to the top of lighthouse There are two: The view that the fuel was transferred by crane machine hydraulic system is working. And those who say that lifting the fuel wood to place the lamp in the last level it is through the animals .. Foster stated that of a long line of donkeys was on the move day and night up and down through a downward spiral and is on the back of fuel wood to the top of al-Manar. There was a lighthouse at the top of a huge mirror, breaking the X-ray offer a vision of vessels coming from far by the naked eye to be able to see them .. It's like a magnifying which leads scientists to suspect that the Alexandria had reached a lens in that time .. it is certain that the construction has been provided with state of the art at the time. The lamp fell and broke a mirror in 700 AD .. And thus lost the lighthouse and its function since that time and before the earthquake destroyed completely in the fourteenth century AD Description Masoudi Lighthouse accurate description .. Estimated the height at 230 cubits. And also described Abu Hajjaj Yusuf ibn Muhammad al-Maliki Andalusian Municipal known as Ibn al-Sheikh and Alexandria, who visited between 1165 -1166 from within the second part of the book "A - B" and a detailed description of the Lighthouse of Alexandria .. Used by some historians the Spanish in the picture closer to the truth of what it was the lighthouse. He also wrote of the lighthouse is also a German engineer "Tirc" and it was in a book written in 1909. In 880 AD by Ibn Tulun restored lighthouse .. And then restored later in the year 980 AD. Around in 1100 landed the octagon shape the impact of an earthquake not only remains of the lighthouse on the first floor box shape, which became a point of control and built a mosque over it. In 1303 during the reign of al-Nasir Muhammad an earthquake destroyed the forts of Alexandria and the walls .. Maqrizi described what happened to the destruction of Alexandria .. He stated that the corner-Din Baybars Ganckir has restored lighthouse 703 He has written Arab traveler Ibn Battuta when his second visit to Alexandria, the lighthouse after the quake, which happened half a century in 1350, said:
I went and found it had seized al-Manar in ruins so that can not be logged onto to him and not the king Nasser Allah's mercy has been initiated to build Bizaih Manar - the next to - Fagah death for completion ".. Was the earthquake that struck Alexandria has come to the lighthouse and scattered remnants of stones falling on the island and thus disappeared from the presence of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in the fourteenth century AD. In 1477 he visited Alexandria Sultan al-Ashraf Bey .. And ordered the building of a fortress on the ruins of Manara (when the threat of the Turks invaded Egypt) .. Indeed, this fort was established in 1480 what was known then Fortress Tower Bey Bey Bey Citadel and then .. Which still exist today
I went and found it had seized al-Manar in ruins so that can not be logged onto to him and not the king Nasser Allah's mercy has been initiated to build Bizaih Manar - the next to - Fagah death for completion ".. Was the earthquake that struck Alexandria has come to the lighthouse and scattered remnants of stones falling on the island and thus disappeared from the presence of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in the fourteenth century AD. In 1477 he visited Alexandria Sultan al-Ashraf Bey .. And ordered the building of a fortress on the ruins of Manara (when the threat of the Turks invaded Egypt) .. Indeed, this fort was established in 1480 what was known then Fortress Tower Bey Bey Bey Citadel and then .. Which still exist today
Hurghada, Egypt’s thriving Red Sea resort is renowned as being one of the most attractive places in Egypt to buy property
The Red Sea is known as having one of the most beautiful underwater worlds on the planet. You will discover an amazing and fascinating natural seascape environment where if you like this kind of thing you will be in paradise when visiting this destination.
The beautiful crystal blue water is consistently warm and boasts some of the most beautiful coral formations making it one of the most highly sought dive locations in the world and it is the Scuba diving as well as other leisure and water sport activities that is helping drive the Hurghada property market along the Red Sea coast.
The beautiful crystal blue water is consistently warm and boasts some of the most beautiful coral formations making it one of the most highly sought dive locations in the world and it is the Scuba diving as well as other leisure and water sport activities that is helping drive the Hurghada property market along the Red Sea coast.
Tuthmosis III: Napoleon of Ancient Egypt
Tuthmosis III: Napoleon of Ancient Egypt85rate or flag this pageTweet this
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Tuthmosis III appealed to me as a pharoah to write a brief biography about because of his aspiration for peace in his rule. It tends to be a rather prevalent quality of a kingdom to work for, but most often it's easier said than done. He was an equestrian, athlete, and man of arts. And not only was Tuthmosis a fair pharoah, politician, and facilitator, but he also was a brilliant military leader for the most part, just like Napoleon Bonaparte. He wasn't a pacifist, but hefought for peace.
Tuthmosis III, born as Djehutymes III and Thutmose III, was born in time for an 18th Dynasty rule (the Dynasty of Tutankhamun). Near the inception of this time period, Tuthmosis' aunt Hatshepsut was queen. He was named by his father to be his successor after he died, but he died young, so Hatshepsut usurped the title as the ruler of Egypt, virtually, although Egypt was still technically in Tuthmosis' hands and Hatshepsut was supposed to be merely a regent. It appears, however, that she didn't completely expunge his authority, and just ruled as a succedaneum while recognizing him simultaneously.
For most of her time in "his" ruling of the country, he spent his time as a military leader. He completely retook his place as King when Hatshepsut died, and as soon as he did, he wiped out nearly any trace of her existence in anger of her power during his rule, such as reliefs or statues, which I find lovely. *heehee* Before he knew it, he found himself up against the cobelligerence of Megiddo and Kadesh, and then Mesopotamians refused to pay any tribute to Egypt. He had a little bit of catching up to do, from what I perceive. He and his troops overtook 350 cities throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. He managed to impose possession of Palestine and Kadesh as well, which were some of his most prominent military achievements.
Probably his most notorious moment in his military career took place in his 42nd year as pharoah. After a 10-day march from Gaza and Yehem, he planned to overtake Megiddo, which was a major remainder of countries he still neededto gain control of. Despite advice from his commanders (whom he apparently received good tips and guidance from), he decided he'd lead his troops and horses through the narrowest, most difficult of the three different routes. After nearly 20 hours of marching, they reached the city of Megiddo and surprised Megiddo's army, who had apparently been guarding the easier routes to the city. Although the amateurish troops of Egypt initially failed to overtake the city, they prevailed in the end of the seven months with the city and all of its booty.
Building projects make up a bulk of his achievements of his lifetime. He erected blocks and temples all over his empire, and then had tombs, sanctuaries, pylons, and obelisks built. His most famous works include the Temple of Karnak, festooned with gold and riches he obtained from wars. Also, there's a black granite sanctuary Victory Stele where all of his military bests are recorded by his trusted commander, Thanuny.
His duration of his rule is fairly known as a sort of Pax Egyptiaca over his kingdom. His rule was that which can be idolized to this day, I think, as one of prosperity and newfound unity over the region. He was one of the more peaceful pharoahs
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Teta and King Khufu&Magic in Ancient Egypt
Teta and King Khufu
Teta was the most famous magician in Ancient Egypt in the days when Khufu (King Cheops) was Pharoah.
The King was looking for a particular scroll when one of the palace servants suggested asking Teta. For some reason, King Khufu didn't know of Teta's great fame, so he asked the servant why he should call for Teta.
"Because, oh, King, Teta is the very greatest magician!" replied the servant. "Why, he can even make the dead live again!"
Khufu was intrigued. That was a claim he'd never before heard a magician making. "Have this Teta brought to me!" he ordered.
Before very long, Teta arrived. He looked very ordinary and there was nothing to show that he was a famous magician.
"I hear that you can make the dead live!" the King said.
"The newly dead, yes." Teta repled.
"Will you show me?" Khufu asked.
"Certainly." Teta replied.
"Have a criminal brought before me!" Khufu ordered.
"Oh no!" Teta objected. "I will not kill a living man, not even to bring him back to life. I will not work magic on people. Bring an animal, instead."
"Bring an animal" the King ordered, beginning to lose interest.
A servant came in carrying a duck. Teta turned to one of Khufu's guards. "Strike off the duck's head." he ordered. The guard did as he was told and the duck's head abruptly left its body.
Teta bent down and put the two parts of the duck close together, then he chanted some magic words and made a gesture. The head and the body of the duck joined together, it shook itself and waddled ot of the room, quacking.
"Bring me a goose." Teta asked. There was a slightly longer wait and then a servant came in with a very angry goose, hissing and trying to break away. "Off with its head." Teta ordered. The guard's sword flashed and the goose's head separated from its body. This time, Teta left the two bits of the goose where they lay, he simply stood a bit straighter and chanted. Then he made the same gesture.
The head and the body of the goose drew together across the floor, joined up and one very angry goose hissed at everybody present, before letting the servant take it out of the room.
"Seen enough?" asked Teta. King Khufu nodded. "I've got a job for you ..." he began.
The rest of the story continues in the Westcar papyrus, but it isn't really about any more magic.
Teta was the most famous magician in Ancient Egypt in the days when Khufu (King Cheops) was Pharoah.
The King was looking for a particular scroll when one of the palace servants suggested asking Teta. For some reason, King Khufu didn't know of Teta's great fame, so he asked the servant why he should call for Teta.
"Because, oh, King, Teta is the very greatest magician!" replied the servant. "Why, he can even make the dead live again!"
Khufu was intrigued. That was a claim he'd never before heard a magician making. "Have this Teta brought to me!" he ordered.
Before very long, Teta arrived. He looked very ordinary and there was nothing to show that he was a famous magician.
"I hear that you can make the dead live!" the King said.
"The newly dead, yes." Teta repled.
"Will you show me?" Khufu asked.
"Certainly." Teta replied.
"Have a criminal brought before me!" Khufu ordered.
"Oh no!" Teta objected. "I will not kill a living man, not even to bring him back to life. I will not work magic on people. Bring an animal, instead."
"Bring an animal" the King ordered, beginning to lose interest.
A servant came in carrying a duck. Teta turned to one of Khufu's guards. "Strike off the duck's head." he ordered. The guard did as he was told and the duck's head abruptly left its body.
Teta bent down and put the two parts of the duck close together, then he chanted some magic words and made a gesture. The head and the body of the duck joined together, it shook itself and waddled ot of the room, quacking.
"Bring me a goose." Teta asked. There was a slightly longer wait and then a servant came in with a very angry goose, hissing and trying to break away. "Off with its head." Teta ordered. The guard's sword flashed and the goose's head separated from its body. This time, Teta left the two bits of the goose where they lay, he simply stood a bit straighter and chanted. Then he made the same gesture.
The head and the body of the goose drew together across the floor, joined up and one very angry goose hissed at everybody present, before letting the servant take it out of the room.
"Seen enough?" asked Teta. King Khufu nodded. "I've got a job for you ..." he began.
The rest of the story continues in the Westcar papyrus, but it isn't really about any more magic.
King Seneferu and the Magician
One day King Seneferu was feeling fed up (all that unsuccessful pyramid building, maybe?). He didn't know what to do with himself till he hit on the idea of sending for his Court Magician.
The Magician listened to the King and suggested that he take a boat ride. Seneferu said the ancient Egyptian equivalent of "Been there, done that, worn the T-shirt.".
The Magician smiled and said "Maybe not. Listen. Order one of your Royal Barges. The send for 20 of the prettiest young ladies in your House of Women (think hareem, but less restrictive and very, very luxurious). Have them wear net dresses and set them to rowing your Barge. You might find you enjoy the ride."
The King thought about 20 lithe young ladies rowing a boat wearing nothing but fishing nets and he smiled. "Make it so!" he ordered.
So, there they all were, rowing along the Nile, laughing and joking and having a very good time in the bright sunlight. 9 of the young ladies were rowing on one side and 9 on the other, whilst the last 2 were standing in the stern of the boat, working the great steering oars, one on each side. The King and the Magician were sitting back, enjoying the view. The ancient Egyptians put it this way: 'The sight of the young maidens gladdened the heart of His Majesty.'
Everything was going fine when there was a sudden scream from the stern. The King and the Magician hurried to the end of the boat, where one of the young ladies steering was standing there, in tears.
"What happened?" the king demanded.
"Somehow my hair got caught in the steering oar," the girl sobbed. "I got it free, but as I did so, a golden ornament I wore in my hair was pulled free and fell overboard!"
"Don't worry," said the king, "I'll get you another one!"
"But I want that one!" the young lady went into another flood of tears.
Seneferu looked helplessly at his Magician. "I think I can fix things" the Magician whispered and went to the side of the boat. He chanted some magic words and the waters of the river Nile parted (heard that one before, somewhere). Suddenly, the boat was resting on the bed of the river.
"Hop down and get your hair ornament" the Magician told the young lady and she did so, joyfully. (The King enjoyed that sight, too). She climbed back into the boat holding her pretty hair ornament tightly and smiling.
The Magician chanted some more magic words and quite smoothly, the waters of the Nile came back together and the Royal Barge rose until it was back, floating on top of the water, just as a respectable Royal boat ought to do.
"Well," said Seneferu, "Let's get on with the boat ride!". So they did.
Think I just made that story up? Well, I didn't. I read it in the Westcar papyrus, when I was learning hieroglyphics, many years ago.
The Magician listened to the King and suggested that he take a boat ride. Seneferu said the ancient Egyptian equivalent of "Been there, done that, worn the T-shirt.".
The Magician smiled and said "Maybe not. Listen. Order one of your Royal Barges. The send for 20 of the prettiest young ladies in your House of Women (think hareem, but less restrictive and very, very luxurious). Have them wear net dresses and set them to rowing your Barge. You might find you enjoy the ride."
The King thought about 20 lithe young ladies rowing a boat wearing nothing but fishing nets and he smiled. "Make it so!" he ordered.
So, there they all were, rowing along the Nile, laughing and joking and having a very good time in the bright sunlight. 9 of the young ladies were rowing on one side and 9 on the other, whilst the last 2 were standing in the stern of the boat, working the great steering oars, one on each side. The King and the Magician were sitting back, enjoying the view. The ancient Egyptians put it this way: 'The sight of the young maidens gladdened the heart of His Majesty.'
Everything was going fine when there was a sudden scream from the stern. The King and the Magician hurried to the end of the boat, where one of the young ladies steering was standing there, in tears.
"What happened?" the king demanded.
"Somehow my hair got caught in the steering oar," the girl sobbed. "I got it free, but as I did so, a golden ornament I wore in my hair was pulled free and fell overboard!"
"Don't worry," said the king, "I'll get you another one!"
"But I want that one!" the young lady went into another flood of tears.
Seneferu looked helplessly at his Magician. "I think I can fix things" the Magician whispered and went to the side of the boat. He chanted some magic words and the waters of the river Nile parted (heard that one before, somewhere). Suddenly, the boat was resting on the bed of the river.
"Hop down and get your hair ornament" the Magician told the young lady and she did so, joyfully. (The King enjoyed that sight, too). She climbed back into the boat holding her pretty hair ornament tightly and smiling.
The Magician chanted some more magic words and quite smoothly, the waters of the Nile came back together and the Royal Barge rose until it was back, floating on top of the water, just as a respectable Royal boat ought to do.
"Well," said Seneferu, "Let's get on with the boat ride!". So they did.
Think I just made that story up? Well, I didn't. I read it in the Westcar papyrus, when I was learning hieroglyphics, many years ago.
Magic in Ancient Egypt
Magic in Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians believed in magic. They believed so much that, during the reign of the Pharoah Ramases III, there was a conspiracy against the King. Records of part of the trial of the conspirators shows that one of the steps they took was to have magic spells written to make the King's guards sleep! Whether the spells worked or not, we don't know, but since the conspiracy was found out, I guess they didn't!
Rameses III lived in the New Kingdom, at a time when Egypt was beginning its very slow slide down to being a second-rate state, but back in the Old Kingdom, Egypt was just beginning to flower. My next two hubs will tell of Magic in the Old Kingdom!
How Much Gold Has Been Discovered In The Tombs Of Ancient Egypt
The culture of ancient Egypt has long been known for its affinity for gold. The Pharaohs who ruled the lands at the time placed a great emphasis on mining and importing gold, as it was considered to be the skin of the gods and was used to create hundreds of works of art. Today, the golden objects continue to be greatly revered and sought after by those who are interested in studying the ancient Egyptian cultures as well as by those who are tempted by the potential for riches.
Tombs contained the golden adornments that kings used to wear.
There's Gold in Those Tombs
As historians attempt to learn more about the ancient
Egyptian culture, they continue to excavate the lands in the hope of digging up more of their ancient treasures. To date, several thousand gold items have been uncovered in Egypt as well as the Sudan. In addition, archeologists have determined that numerous gold mines were located in the desert valleys located east of the Nile River, particularly near Apollinopolis Magna, Ikoptos and Ombos. The mines that have been uncovered throughout the Egyptian empire have been impressively designed, though it does appear as if little regard was paid to those who worked the mines.When it comes to uncovering the golden objects that were created in ancient Egypt, the majority have been unearthed within the tombs of the Pharoahs. This is because only the kings were allowed to wear gold during the earliest parts of Egyptian history. As time went on, however, priests and other members of the Egyptian royal court were also allowed to wear golden adornments. Nonetheless, the king still enjoyed the majority of the gold. In fact, the sarcophagus of the Egyptian king was referred to as the "house of gold" because of the vast amounts of gold it contained.
There are numerous golden Egyptian artifacts on display in museums around the world.
Enjoying Golden Artifacts
Today, there are numerous golden Egyptian artifacts on display in museums around the world. Perhaps one of the most impressive of these findings is the mask of Tutankhamun, which is a golden cast of King Tut's face that was placed upon him at his burial. The mask, which is made from solid gold, weighs an impressive 24.5 pounds. Not only is the mask valuable in terms of the amount of gold used to create it, it also represents many of the king's features very well. In fact, with the help of the mask, historians can get a very clear idea of how his chin, lips, nose and eyes appeared while he was alive.
Most people do not have genuine ancient Egyptian artifacts in their homes, but for those who do have unwanted gold items in their homes can turn those items into cash with the help of Cash4Gold. With Cash4Gold, you simply request a free mailing envelope from the company, place your unwanted gold items inside, and mail it off to the company. Within days, you will receive payment for all of the gold items that you don’t even want any more. Even the ancient Egyptians would have to agree that the process is amazingly simple!
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