Ancient Egypt

The Pyramids Of Giza

Egyptian pyramids are monumental structures, primarily built as pharaohs' tombs during the Old and Middle Kingdoms, with the most famous being at Giza. The earliest is the Step Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2630–2610 BCE), followed by true smooth-sided pyramids like those at Giza, which housed the burials of pharaohs such as Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. These complex structures include mortuary temples, causeways, and satellite pyramids, all part of a grand funerary complex designed to last for eternity

Key Aspects of Egyptian Pyramids

• Purpose:

  They served as tombs for pharaohs and their consorts, believed to facilitate their passage to the afterlife and ensure their god-like status in eternity.

• Construction:

  The process involved quarrying millions of stone blocks, some weighing up to 50 metric tons, and fitting them together with incredible precision.

• Giza Pyramid Complex:

  This includes the Great Pyramid (Khufu's tomb), the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx.

• Pharaohs' Role:

  The construction of these immense structures reflects the pharaoh's central role in ancient Egyptian society, showcasing their power and wealth.

• Evolution of Design:

  The first pyramid was the Step Pyramid, a stacked design. This evolved into true pyramids, such as the Bent Pyramid, which featured a change in angle for stability.

• Legacy:

  The pyramids of Giza are considered wonders of the ancient world and are a UNESCO World Heritage site. They remain a testament to ancient Egypt's engineering prowess and rich cultural history.

The Giza Plateau

• Pyramids of Giza:

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  The last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, these massive structures include the Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure.

• Great Sphinx:

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  A colossal limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, it is considered a guardian of the pyramids.

The Sphinx

The term "Sphinx" most commonly refers to the Great Sphinx of Giza, the iconic Egyptian monument with the body of a lion and the head of a human. However, sphinxes are mythological creatures that appear in other ancient cultures, notably Greek mythology, with distinct characteristics

• Physical description: The largest surviving sculpture from the ancient world, it measures 240 feet long and 66 feet high. It was carved from a single mass of limestone bedrock on the Giza Plateau.

• Date and builder: It is widely believed to have been constructed around 4,500 years ago during Egypt's Old Kingdom, likely for the Pharaoh Khafre, whose nearby pyramid is part of the same complex.

• Likeness: While the face is often thought to be Khafre's, archaeologists continue to debate the identity of the pharaoh it represents.

• Missing nose: Contrary to popular myth, Napoleon's troops did not destroy the nose. Historical drawings show the nose was missing long before the 18th century, with damage potentially caused by a Sufi Muslim in the 14th century in protest of idolatry.

• Symbolism: In ancient Egypt, the sphinx was a benevolent, protective figure. As a guardian of the Giza necropolis, the Great Sphinx was later worshipped as the solar deity Hor-em-akhet, or "Horus on the Horizon"

Luxor Temples & Tombs

Luxor's temples and tombs offer a spectacular glimpse into ancient Egypt, featuring the colossal Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, along with the royal burial grounds of the Valley of the Kings, the resting place for queens in the Valley of the Queens, and the workers' village and tombs at Deir el-Medina. The West Bank is home to mortuary temples like Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, while the East Bank contains the city's two main temples

• On the East Bank

  • Karnak Temple Complex:

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    The largest religious building ever constructed, this vast complex is dedicated to the gods of ancient Egypt. It features a monumental hypostyle hall with 134 massive columns, a sacred lake, and is filled with statues, obelisks, and hieroglyphics.

  • Luxor Temple:

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    Located in the heart of the city, Luxor Temple is a testament to ancient Egyptian grandeur. It is notable for its Avenue of Sphinxes (which once connected it to Karnak), its statues of Ramesses II, and its historical significance as a site for royal coronations.

  • Avenue of Sphinxes:

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    This pathway, now only partially remaining, was once lined with hundreds of sphinx statues connecting the two main temples.

On the West Bank

• Valley of the Kings:

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  This famous site is where pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, were buried in elaborately decorated tombs.

• Valley of the Queens:

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  Nearby, this area serves as the final resting place for queens and royal children.

• Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari):

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  Dedicated to one of Egypt's female pharaohs, this temple is a masterpiece of architecture, built into a cliff face.

• Medinet Habu:

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  The mortuary temple of Ramesses III, known for its remarkably preserved state.

• The Ramesseum:

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  The memorial temple of Ramesses II.

• Colossi of Memnon:

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  Two imposing statues of Amenhotep III that once guarded the entrance to his mortuary temple.

• Deir el-Medina:

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  A village where the workers who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings lived, along with their own beautifully decorated tombs.

• Tombs of the Nobles:

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  Another area on the West Bank containing the tombs of high-ranking officials

Luxor and Environs

• Valley of the Kings:

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  This site contains the elaborate tombs of pharaohs and powerful nobles, offering a unique glimpse into ancient burial rituals.

• Karnak Temple Complex:

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  A vast complex of temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings, it was the main religious center of ancient Thebes.

• Luxor Temple:

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  Located in the heart of the city, this ancient temple is famous for its large statues of pharaohs and hieroglyphic carvings.

• Temple of Hatshepsut:

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  A stunning mortuary temple known for its terraces and impressive architecture.

• Colossi of Memnon:

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  Two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, they stand as sentinels at the entrance to his mortuary temple

Southern Egypt

• Abu Simbel Temples:

  These magnificent rock-cut temples were built by Ramesses II and are famous for their colossal statues.

• Philae Temple:

  Located on an island in the Nile River, this temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and features intricate carvings and architecture.

• The temple of Abu Simbel

  Is an ancient Egyptian site in southern Egypt consisting of two massive rock-cut temples, built during the 13th century BC under Pharaoh Ramesses II. Originally carved into a mountainside, the temples were famously dismantled and moved in the 1960s to save them from rising water caused by the Aswan High Dam

• Construction and purpose

  • Builder and timeline: Commissioned by Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty, the temples were constructed over approximately 20 years, beginning around 1264 BC.

  • Commemoration and intimidation: The monuments were built to serve as a lasting memorial to Ramesses II and his queen, Nefertari. Their location on Egypt's southern border with Nubia was also meant to demonstrate the power of the Egyptian empire to its neighbors.

  • Architectural feats: The temples are celebrated for their imposing design and for a precise solar alignment that illuminates the inner sanctuary twice a year.

  The Great Temple of Ramesses II

  The larger of the two temples is dedicated to the gods Amun-Re, Ptah, Re-Horakhty, and Ramesses II himself, who was deified.

  • Colossal facade: The entrance is guarded by four enormous, seated statues of Ramesses II, each standing over 65 feet (20 meters) tall.

  • Symbolic artwork: Hieroglyphs and reliefs inside the temple recount Ramesses II's heroic victory at the Battle of Kadesh.

  • The solar alignment: Originally, the temple was aligned so that the sun's rays would penetrate the sanctuary on October 22 and February 22, illuminating the statues of three of the four seated gods. A statue of the god Ptah remains in shadow year-round, as he was associated with the underworld.

  The Small Temple of Nefertari

  Next to the great temple is a smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramesses' most beloved wife, Queen Nefertari.

  • Standing statues: The facade features six colossal standing statues—four of Ramesses II and two of Nefertari—each about 33 feet (10 meters) high.

  • Shared honor: The nearly equal size of the queen's statues is a striking visual statement, as a queen's depiction was traditionally smaller than the pharaoh's.

  The UNESCO relocation project

  In the 1960s, construction of the Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge the temples beneath the waters of Lake Nasser. A massive, internationally-funded UNESCO project saved them.

  • The operation: Between 1964 and 1968, the temples were meticulously cut into more than 1,000 pieces, moved to a new site 200 meters inland and 65 meters higher, and then reassembled.

  • An artificial hill: An artificial mountain was built around the reconstructed temples to make them appear as if they were still carved into a natural cliffside.

  • A feat of engineering: The relocation project, which cost an estimated $42 million at the time, was executed with such precision that the temples' original appearance and solar alignment were preserved

• Relocation and history

  • Moved due to flooding: The temple's relocation was necessary due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, which threatened to submerge the site permanently. A UNESCO-led effort carefully moved all of the monuments to Agilkia Island, which was reshaped to resemble the original location.

  • Greco-Roman origins: While some older structures existed, most of the complex dates to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (c. 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE). The temple's architecture is a blend of traditional Egyptian style and Hellenistic influence.

  • Last center of ancient worship: Philae was one of the last places in Egypt where the ancient religion thrived. The worship of Isis continued here for centuries after Christianity became dominant, and it was not officially closed until the 6th century CE.

  • Converted to a church: Early Christians converted the Temple of Isis into a church. During this time, they defaced many of the depictions of ancient gods on the walls. You can still see Coptic crosses carved into the stonework.

  Significance and myth

  • Dedicated to Isis: The main temple is dedicated to Isis, the goddess of magic, motherhood, and healing. According to myth, Philae was the place where Isis found the heart of her husband Osiris after he was dismembered by his brother, Set.

  • Myth of Isis and Osiris: The temple reliefs depict scenes from the myth of Isis and Osiris, including Isis resurrecting her husband and conceiving their son, Horus.

  • Center of pilgrimage: For centuries, pilgrims from across the ancient world, including Egyptians, Nubians, Greeks, and Romans, traveled to Philae to worship Isis.

  • Last hieroglyphs: The complex is home to the last known hieroglyphic inscription in Egypt, dating to 394 CE, a testament to the endurance of the traditional culture.

  Notable structures

  • Temple of Isis

    : The centerpiece of the complex, featuring magnificent pylons, a hypostyle hall with towering columns, and an innermost sanctuary.

  • Trajan's Kiosk

    : An elegant and unfinished pavilion commissioned by the Roman Emperor Trajan, featuring columns topped with elaborate floral capitals.

  • Temple of Hathor

    : A smaller temple dedicated to the goddess of love, music, and joy, featuring distinct columns with Hathor-headed capitals.

  • Birth House (Mammisi)

    : This structure celebrates the divine birth of Isis's son, Horus, with reliefs depicting the event

• Temple of Philae

  The Temple of Philae is

  an ancient Egyptian temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis, famous for being dismantled and relocated to save it from the rising waters of the Nile. Originally situated on Philae Island, the complex was moved brick-by-brick to the nearby island of Agilkia in the 1970s and 1980s

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