tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5303858718381531362024-02-18T19:39:50.065-08:00Tales of Ancient EgyptStories explaining historical facts, fables and myths about the rulers, religion, people and places of ancient Egypt. Legends of the treasures and pleasures; of mystery and history; secrets of the pyramids, temples and tombs. Accounts of spells and magic, wonders and splendors, black Nile mud, red desert sand and green oases.Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-40170699377626943632012-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:002012-10-16T08:38:20.204-07:00<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Creation</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">by<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Anthony
Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Vast expanse of endless ocean. Total
silence rules this place.</div>
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Black as night and lacking
motion. Realm of nothing; empty space.</div>
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Lacking joy as <b><i>Nun</i></b><i> </i>surrounds me<i>. </i>Never-ending tedium.</div>
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My heart calls out for company in
this lifeless medium.</div>
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</div>
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I tell my daughter, ‘<b><i>Ma’at</i></b><i> </i>my dear, I will change this lifeless
zone. </div>
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My power’s immense so have no fear.
No longer will I live alone.</div>
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I’ll generate from my own seed the
essence of a new born race!’</div>
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My child replies, ‘Make night
recede! Make a sun to light the place.’</div>
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And so I caused the sun to be, light
and heat that all would need.</div>
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I called it <b><i>Ra</i></b>, and all can see the
wonder of my mystic deed.</div>
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I crafted gods to use my will.
They shaped the world. <b><i>Thoth</i></b> and <b><i>Ptah</i></b></div>
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And <b><i>Atum-Ra</i></b> revealed their
skill, and <b><i>Ra-Harakhte</i></b> soared afar.</div>
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‘Twas they who made the gods so
fair, creator gods they came to be.</div>
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<b><i>Shu</i></b> was first, god of the
air. Of breeze and wind the god was he;</div>
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I then made <b><i>Tefnut</i></b>, storm and weather.
She of moisture, rain and water.</div>
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<b><i>Shu</i></b> and <b><i>Tefnut</i></b><i> </i>joined together, brought forth twins; a
son and daughter.</div>
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The girl will be queen of the
sky, beautiful <b><i>Nut</i></b> who rules above.</div>
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The earth was <b><i>Geb</i></b>
who looked on high; saw his sister, fell in love.</div>
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Irate was <b><i>Shu</i></b>, tore <b><i>Nut</i></b>
away. He ripped apart the sky and earth.</div>
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“You’ll not conceive on any day,
nor will you two create a birth.”</div>
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For star-crossed lovers nothing
worse, but <b><i>Nut</i></b> set out to win the day.</div>
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She could not thwart her
father’s curse. There had to be another way.</div>
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She threw the dice with <b><i>Thoth</i></b>
and won five extra days outside the year.</div>
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The first three days each bore a
son, then she bore two daughters dear.</div>
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<b><i>Osiris</i></b> was the first born
son with sky blue eyes whose skin was fair.</div>
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The next was <b><i>Seth</i></b>,
the second one, the child of night with pitch black hair.</div>
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<b><i>Haroeris</i></b> next with power
and drive. <st1:place w:st="on"><b><i>Isis</i></b></st1:place> followed, glorious
star.</div>
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<b><i>Nephthys</i></b> brought the
brood to five. <b><i>Nut</i></b> viewed her offspring from afar. </div>
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The tale of <st1:place w:st="on"><b><i>Isis</i></b></st1:place>
and her fate is taught to all and it is this:</div>
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<b><i>Osiris</i></b> was her chosen
mate, but <b><i>Seth</i></b> destroyed their tale of bliss.</div>
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Murdered by his brother <b><i>Seth</i></b>,
dissected by his brother’s hand,</div>
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<b><i>Osiris</i></b> was the guest of
death, his body strewn across the land.</div>
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But <st1:place w:st="on"><b><i>Isis</i></b></st1:place>
gathered every part, the task was grisely and grim.</div>
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The arms, the legs, even the
heart.<i> <b>Nephthys</b></i> helped to bind each limb.</div>
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The body whole but lacking life <st1:place w:st="on"><b><i>Isis</i></b></st1:place> called <b><i>Atum</i></b> for power.</div>
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Revived by god, she was his wife
- a moment in a wedding bower.</div>
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<b><i>Osiris</i></b> having sown his
seed once more returned to deathly state</div>
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Became the Lord of the deceased and
sat in judgement there to wait.</div>
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When men die they give their
heart, it’s weighed according to their deeds.</div>
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Those who pass the trial of <b><i>Ma’at</i></b>
enter in the field of reeds.</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><b><i>Isis</i></b></st1:place>
was soon to bear a son, the offspring of the twice dead Lord.</div>
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<b><i>Horus</i></b> was chosen as the one
to challenge <b><i>Seth</i></b> to fight with sword.</div>
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The son and brother, toe to toe,
fought long and hard in brutal war.</div>
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Both were hurt but not cast low,
and when they stopped it was a draw.</div>
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<b><i>Seth</i></b> to rule the south
was sent while <b><i>Horus</i></b> sat on <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country>’s
throne.</div>
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The time of gods was quickly
spent as mankind learned to rule alone.</div>
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Through magic words the tales of
old relate the age of Pharaohs’ reign. </div>
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The gods now carved in stone and
gold await the call to rule again.</div>
Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-37610248088851326082012-08-10T08:22:00.001-07:002012-08-10T08:22:53.408-07:00<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Time in ancient <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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By Anthony Holmes</div>
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Our modern civilisation is obsessed, with time. At one end
of the scale estimates put the age of the universe at 14 billion years and planet
Earth at 4.5 billion years, an unimaginable length of time. At the other end of
the scale the winner of a race may be decided by hundredths of a second. Scientists
in their chronic search for accuracy, divide time to into nanoseconds (one
billionth of a second). Physicists hunting for elusive boson particles divide
time into yoctoseconds; a million, billion, billion of which are required to make
one single second - inconceivable! </div>
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When and where did our urge to measure time begin?</div>
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It is reasonable to assume that the concept of time has been
with mankind since he became a thinking entity. The arrow of time flies inexorably
forward from birth to death, never reversing direction. The measurement of time
became a challenge to man as soon as he registered the repetitive character of
certain natural events, the most recognisable of which would have been the
rising and setting of the sun. The rhythm of the sun was a factor that resulted
in the ancient Egyptians assigning the sun divine status. The sun was imagined
to be Ra, a divinity in a solar boat; or Ra-Harakhte, a high flying falcon; or
the Aten, a simple red disc. The sun god influence on man and on his crops
caused Ra to attain celestial pre-eminence. The cult of Ra was syncretised (combined)
with other gods such as Atum-Ra and Amun-Ra to increase their power. The king
was perceived to the Son of Ra and kings’ names invariably contained a
reference to Ra’s pleasure or satisfaction with his reign. </div>
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The greatest fear the ancient Egyptians had was that the
sun, having died in the west at night, would not rise again in the east the next
morning. Complex myths arose around Ra’s nightly battle to traverse the nether
regions in order to arrive at the eastern horizon where Kheper-Ra would raise
the sun into the sky to commence a new day.</div>
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The simple regime of the sun rising and setting was
insufficient to provide hunter-gatherers with a prediction of the seasonal
behaviour of animals and the fruiting of plants. The foragers observed the prime
growing period to be the time the sun was warmer and beamed down longer. The
concept of seasonal change and the annual cycle was born.</div>
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As desertification forced the tribes of proto-Egypt to trek towards
the available water in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Nile</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place>, hunter-gatherers
evolved into farmers. The new agrarian society needed to determine optimal
planting and harvesting times and to anticipate the life-giving and sometimes
devastating <st1:place w:st="on">Nile</st1:place> flood. The lunar cycle provided
the first measure they needed, but Thoth, the god of the moon proved to be somewhat
unreliable. After thirteen lunar cycles Thoth misplaced a day, and after 22
years a whole lunar month was lost. A more reliable count was required. The
Egyptians turned to the stars.</div>
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The goddess Isis, sister of Osiris and mother of Horus, was
associated with the star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius
appeared above the horizon just before sunrise (called its <i>heliacal rising</i>) at the time of the <st1:place w:st="on">Nile</st1:place>
flood, signifying the start of the year. As the year progressed, Sirius rose
earlier every night <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">until eventually
it was no longer visible in the sky at dawn because it had already set below
the western horizon. Seventy days later Sirius reappeared just before dawn.</span>
By counting the days between one heliacal rising of Sirius and the next, the
Egyptians determined that the year comprised 365 days. Armed with this
information they constructed a calendar for the year comprising twelve months
of 30 days each with five extra days to celebrate the birthdays of the children
of Earth-god Geb and Sky-god Nut. The months were divided into three periods of
ten days each. Each four month period of the year constituted a season. The
three seasons were Inundation (Akhet), Growing (Peret) and Harvesting (Shemu). The
Egyptians believed they had the year all figured out. As we now know they were
close, but the extra quarter day that we accommodate every leap year, took its
toll. By the time 730 years had elapsed the flood was still arriving with the heliacal
rising of Sirius, but the calendar had slipped a full six months. The physical
seasons were no longer aligned with the calendar.</div>
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For the scientists: <i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Sirius does not move retrograde across the
sky like other stars, a phenomenon known as the precession of the equinox.
Sirius remains the same distance from the equinoxes — and so from the solstices
— throughout the centuries, despite precession.
For the same reason, the helical rising of Sirius does not slip through
the calendar at the precession rate of one day per 71.6 years, as other stars
do. This remarkable stability within the solar year may be the reason the
Egyptians used it as a basis for their calendar. No other star would have sufficed.
The Sirius year is 365.25 days versus the more accurate measure of 365.2564
days. The small differential would have only created a nineteen day discrepancy
over the entire three thousand years of ancient Egyptian history.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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The establishment of the year was a great step forward in
the measurement of time. However the subdivisions of the day still had to be
sorted out. If a day was the period Ra took to sail his boat across the sky,
simply dividing it into twelve periods called hours would not have worked. Days
differ in length between summer and winter, so hours in summer would have been
longer than winter hours. Such division resulted in
‘temporal’ hours. While hours of the day could be measured by the movement of a
shadow cast by a stick (precursor to the sundial), measuring hours of darkness
was a more difficult task. </div>
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Why measure the hours of darkness when one is
asleep? A fair question, but man’s curiosity knows no darkness. <span style="background: white;">The Egyptians noted that the helical rising of certain
stars matched the first day of the 36 successive ten-day periods and called
these stars decans. During any one night, a sequence of twelve decans were seen
to rise and were used to count the hours.</span> Ra’s journey through the
underworld at night was divided into hours and each hour was assigned a
particular challenge. The scenes on the ceiling of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Dendara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
beautifully depict the progression of the solar boat through time and the
astral constellations involved. (I think of Dendara as the <st1:city w:st="on">Greenwich</st1:city>
of ancient <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country>).</div>
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The water clock or <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">clepsydra</span>, basically a conical vessel with a drip hole in the
base, may have found early use in some form in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">China</st1:country>
and <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">India</st1:country>, but its invention
is generally attributed to one Amenemhat who made a water clock for king
Amenhotep I in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country>
in the 16<sup>th</sup> century BC. It was used to measure the hours of darkness
and also to measure the duration of speeches in the courtroom (among other
duties). Apparently advocates at law were as loquacious then as they are today!
The water clock provided the Egyptians with a device for the repetitive measurement
of the duration of an hour, both by day and by night. A water clock carved from
alabaster, attributed to the reign of Amunhotep III (c.1380BC), may be viewed
in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Egyptian</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXbH9NapyLSHK2bqiiZqqxecGvvP6odkN_Rr3oQeIgo1YDwrZVBbDVcLlhXpxA56AhvVyQwO4KaRg4N-oi2L6OcWguhGmTaDK1Wf_lnSOIz_eGsmxMzXcWurIX6khDA3UHlrVF7AZ1uw/s1600/waterclock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXbH9NapyLSHK2bqiiZqqxecGvvP6odkN_Rr3oQeIgo1YDwrZVBbDVcLlhXpxA56AhvVyQwO4KaRg4N-oi2L6OcWguhGmTaDK1Wf_lnSOIz_eGsmxMzXcWurIX6khDA3UHlrVF7AZ1uw/s1600/waterclock.jpg" /></a></div>
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The use of temporal hours (hours of differing length
depending on the time of year) <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">was
not sufficiently accurate for astronomers. In <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alexandria</st1:place></st1:city> in c.127AD Hipparchus of Niceae, proposed
dividing the day into 24 equinoctial hours based on the equal length of day and
night at the equinox. This move split the day into equal periods. (Despite this
development, ordinary people continued to use temporal hours for well over a
thousand years. The conversion to equinoctial hours in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>
was made when weight driven mechanical clocks were developed in the fourteenth
century AD.)</span> </div>
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In addition to secular events there were other very
important reasons for knowing the time of day and the day of the year - reasons
of a divine nature. The ancient Egyptians, particularly the priesthood, required
to measure time so that they could fulfil their divine obligations. Gods were
believed to take up residence in the statues carved of their perceived
likeness. In consequence each statue had to be carefully tended by the priests or
the god would leave. Strict regimes of washing, dressing the statue and
providing nourishment in the sanctum were established in the temples and these
had to adhere to a strict time-table. In addition to the daily routine, the festivals,
the ‘holy’ days of veneration allocated to the various gods had to be
celebrated regularly, according to the calendar.</div>
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There does not appear to have been a long count of years in
ancient <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country>
beginning at year one and continuing uninterruptedly. Each successive reign
began a new count of years, so that we have records of year one, two etc. of
the king’s reign. However the absence of a continuous record of the dates of
events means that historians do not always agree. Choose three books on ancient
<st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country>
and you are likely to find three different dates for the reign of the same
king! Despite this shortcoming (in our view), ancient Egyptians who were driven
by both practical and divine considerations are worthy to be among the civilisations
who qualify as the ‘fathers of time.’ </div>
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Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-51258188494968567392012-01-12T09:09:00.000-08:002012-01-12T09:09:44.929-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Some Cats of
ancient <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>
(Large and Small)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b> By Anthony Holmes <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Cats featured prominently in the religious
and </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">domestic life of ancient Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPbijM4omxXltATMoljGhaAvJpQC99yTJxSDVo0HI8xitE4-481JeDkEiuFuq6OY1sTKuz9RAVPsfimh9V5hh_nM0if0fzunps-UJGMGV0aJRdWtiWngjUKGHRSFXJpcmgtWc6auJTA/s1600/sphinx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPbijM4omxXltATMoljGhaAvJpQC99yTJxSDVo0HI8xitE4-481JeDkEiuFuq6OY1sTKuz9RAVPsfimh9V5hh_nM0if0fzunps-UJGMGV0aJRdWtiWngjUKGHRSFXJpcmgtWc6auJTA/s400/sphinx.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The biggest
and most renowned cat is undoubtedly the statue of the great sphinx at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> with its 73 meter
long body of a lion. The sculpture of the great sphinx is dated to c.2500BC. It
was supposedly sculpted under the direction of King Khafra whose own face was
carved on the human head. There is a considerable body of conflicting opinion
regarding the date and the “ownership” of the sphinx, but such discussion will
require a separate dedicated article. The sphinx’s face was damaged, not by
Napoleon’s canons as is often suggested, but</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Muhammad
Sa'im al-Dahr, a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufi" title="Sufi"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Sufi</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">Muslim. In 1378 AD, upon finding the Egyptian
peasants making offerings to the sphinx in the hope of increasing their
harvest, Sa'im al-Dahr was so outraged that he destroyed the nose, and was
hanged for vandalism.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
The great sphinx was called various names in ancient times. <i>Hor-em-Akhet </i>which means
Horus-in-the-Horizon may refer to the view of the statue from the cult centre
of the sun god <i>Ra</i> (<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Heliopolis</st1:place></st1:city>) looking west. The Horizon was held
to be where Earth met Heaven, where mortality met divinity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A second
ancient name for the great sphinx was <i>shesep-ankh
</i>meaning the ‘living image’ (in this case of the creator god Atum-Ra). The
phrase <i>shesep-ankh</i> was possibly adapted
by the Greeks and became the modern word ‘sphinx’. Alternatively ‘sphinx’ may
come from the Greek </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt;">σφίγγω (<i>sphingo</i> – to squeeze), following the
story of the Greek sphinx who strangled anyone incapable of answering her
riddle. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Controversy
surrounding the sphinx is not limited to its age. Its body is considered to be out
of proportion to its head and some suggest it may be that of a cheetah; however
the tail looks suspiciously leonine! Many other sphinxes have been discovered
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
many with the heads of rulers such as Hatshepsut and Rameses II and even a few
(at Wadi el Seboua - the valley of lions) with the heads of falcons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlPTsDWDdNhUvj8h5artsDyownxskwcZR9U1CAnD2TQ2DXrgHD-BoN4vsFAjZGsw4iMGI5Bj_PXS0Ob8-RmqMbgEjKRPRRdd0sxfSq2w70exQoG9ewQ0Ia-DqxRmJMa_1tpHGDQzRLrc/s1600/Lion+guarding+east+and+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlPTsDWDdNhUvj8h5artsDyownxskwcZR9U1CAnD2TQ2DXrgHD-BoN4vsFAjZGsw4iMGI5Bj_PXS0Ob8-RmqMbgEjKRPRRdd0sxfSq2w70exQoG9ewQ0Ia-DqxRmJMa_1tpHGDQzRLrc/s320/Lion+guarding+east+and+west.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lions guarding the horizons in the tomb of Inkerha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Lions are
depicted as powerful allies in Egyptian art. They are shown as guardians of the
eastern and western horizons in Inkherha’s tomb and running alongside Rameses
II’s chariot in the temple at <st1:place w:st="on">Abu Simbel</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">At the other end
of the feline size spectrum are tiny faience amulets in the form of cats, each
being no more than a single centimetre long. These good-luck charms were sometimes
wrapped into the linen folds around the mummy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Many gods were
depicted as cats. The creator goddess <i>Tefnut</i>,
responsible for the introduction of moisture into the world, is depicted with
the head of lioness, usually wearing a heavy wig. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahc7VxQJVwgveKquB0L_jn6QA7BjWMtLcXVbHVv4M-HuGREchKIoA7sWjNytu6TTGIZf2WBnO2VeIxax2ADFAq5M7EJOU_znD7VlR58NwEnHVYo1udVPJiAi9A7oREthWj57vBDM7EEo/s1600/sekhmetA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahc7VxQJVwgveKquB0L_jn6QA7BjWMtLcXVbHVv4M-HuGREchKIoA7sWjNytu6TTGIZf2WBnO2VeIxax2ADFAq5M7EJOU_znD7VlR58NwEnHVYo1udVPJiAi9A7oREthWj57vBDM7EEo/s1600/sekhmetA.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goddess Sekhmet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">An infamous goddess with the head of a lioness surmounted by a sun disk is called <i>Sekhmet</i>, the Powerful One, mistress of disease,
war and strife known as the Eye of <i>Ra</i>.
A myth relates that <i>Sekhmet</i> was sent
by <i>Ra</i> to chastise humanity. When <i>Sekhmet</i> tasted human blood, she was set
to devour all mankind. <i>Ra</i> was
appalled and sent the god of wisdom <i>Thoth</i>,
in his aspect of a baboon, to entice <i>Sekhmet</i>
home with offerings of red coloured beer. <i>Sekhmet</i>
was believed to have had a dual nature and she was also seen as a healer. In
times of plague, large numbers of statues of <i>Sekhmet</i> were produced to placate her and appeal to her healing
powers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A lesser known
cat goddess was found at Beni Hassan. Her name was <i>Pakhet</i> – ‘she who scratches’. During Hatshepsut’s reign a temple
was built to <i>Pakhet</i> just south of
Beni Hassan. <i>Mafdet</i> was yet another
cat goddess. Her form was based on the wild cat (<i>Felis vercata maniculata</i>) which was native to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 27pt;">It is in the
guise of this wild spotted feline that </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 27pt;">Ra</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 27pt;">
is depicted in the tomb of Inherkha (Deir-el-Medina) as the Cat of Heliopolis
cutting the head off </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 27pt;">Apophis</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 27pt;">, the
serpent of the underworld.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkbo9iMmCAGJ5lbDS-22MKuB9oZS6z7Vo7Sc-gBvnPlPJ1weF4YI-rBaQ7qL0FJb5iv6w0vPiKBjtM69Jsw_Ci2sGYaA6vKg24VCiKO7x75b6M0_NLz1wu6xcOw4dzPsquIMomoiVvrM/s1600/cat+cutting+apophis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkbo9iMmCAGJ5lbDS-22MKuB9oZS6z7Vo7Sc-gBvnPlPJ1weF4YI-rBaQ7qL0FJb5iv6w0vPiKBjtM69Jsw_Ci2sGYaA6vKg24VCiKO7x75b6M0_NLz1wu6xcOw4dzPsquIMomoiVvrM/s1600/cat+cutting+apophis.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat cutting off the head of Apophis</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The
goddess <i>Bastet</i> is the beautiful domestic
queen cat depicted sitting regally and often wearing a gold ring through her
nose or ear. The domestic cat was introduced into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> about 2,100BC from the west. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRi6BJAP06Qqwj29FMPKxEZt5y0D0sg4KDeJWhoSbdV6k8NMbCxo9eF8ZmVheCR9nc1QoE0gMgX9oy5mSbc5orVgv7NgQRGTbJhpB1IMqsB2lO7ZPjHDT_ZVsANOD8DBHt3z458IzrUk/s1600/Bastet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRi6BJAP06Qqwj29FMPKxEZt5y0D0sg4KDeJWhoSbdV6k8NMbCxo9eF8ZmVheCR9nc1QoE0gMgX9oy5mSbc5orVgv7NgQRGTbJhpB1IMqsB2lO7ZPjHDT_ZVsANOD8DBHt3z458IzrUk/s320/Bastet.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bastet</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> rose to prominence as a local deity in the region
of <i>Bast,</i> now called Tell Basta, where
several temples were dedicated to her, including one to <i>Mihos</i>, a lion god said to be the son of <i>Bastet</i>. The cult of cat worship can be traced for two thousand
years, from the Middle Kingdom to the Greco-Roman period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yX27Ztip4iLs8iWkjZZdZQOL9VIATABg31KF2rmG6QscYDXwrHDi1aKASDInlsUw1wP9gxG5v46WR9akz_p83kGPVudyJA1xte2ri5S8nvhYQnip-nkpF6_51rivOTfiyYUc3sIEB0A/s1600/Tomb+of+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yX27Ztip4iLs8iWkjZZdZQOL9VIATABg31KF2rmG6QscYDXwrHDi1aKASDInlsUw1wP9gxG5v46WR9akz_p83kGPVudyJA1xte2ri5S8nvhYQnip-nkpF6_51rivOTfiyYUc3sIEB0A/s320/Tomb+of+May.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We know a few
things about domestic cats in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
A painting in the tomb of May (reign of Thutmose III) shows a cat with a collar
seated at the chair of its mistress. In the tomb of Menna (reign of Thutmose
IV) a hunting cat is shown pursuing wild fowl. Cats were kept as pets and as
working animals. They were used to hunt fish and birds as well as to destroy
the rats and mice that infested the grain stocks. Cats were considered so
valuable that laws were passed to protect them and to prohibit the export of
cats. Because Egyptian cats were so highly valued, they were often smuggled out
of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>;
the first illegal pet trade on record!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The ancient
Egyptian word for a cat, transliterated from hieroglyphs was <i>m</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ỉ</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">w</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (possibly pronounced meeuw),
an appropriate name for a cat. Legend has it that ancient Egyptians did not
assign names to their pet cats, but called them all<i> m</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ỉ</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">w,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> the theory being that unlike
dogs, cats do not accept a name and do not respond when called. The theory is
supported by the recorded action of Prince Djutmoses, eldest son of Amunhotep
III, who made elaborate provisions for embalming his pet cat called <i>Ta-m</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ỉ</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">w,</span></i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> which just means ‘Lady
Cat’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Writing in
450BC, Herodotus wrote of cats in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>: ‘The worship of cats is so
intense that when a house caught fire the Egyptians appeared to be most
concerned about rescuing their cats, the loss of which would cause great
sorrow. Anyone guilty of killing a cat would be killed – often by an angry mob!’
He also wrote ‘If a cat dies in a private home by a natural death, all the
inmates of the house shave their eyebrows.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPcZsAO3Q38Eo87Rdp3GhfR9MJKvv5Avq7eplvAnWjhyphenhyphenvTpM-gLBI1PK5_Ejuw8XHTkOtaMVAg0f2wVCza9ax3__eQ4M6J34frqrG8R9huCkGgsoszHIg3LanJmLijcwy_uYj3Td2xKE/s1600/cat+mummies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPcZsAO3Q38Eo87Rdp3GhfR9MJKvv5Avq7eplvAnWjhyphenhyphenvTpM-gLBI1PK5_Ejuw8XHTkOtaMVAg0f2wVCza9ax3__eQ4M6J34frqrG8R9huCkGgsoszHIg3LanJmLijcwy_uYj3Td2xKE/s1600/cat+mummies.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat Mummies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Cat mummies were very
common and were frequently bound with linen in two different colors, perhaps
reflecting their natural coloring. The mummy of the cat was placed in a bronze
or wooden case made in the form of a cat with eyes inlaid with rock-crystal or
colored glass paste. The case containing the mummified body of the cat was
sent to be entombed at the temple of the goddess Bastet. This act was a
blessing for the cat’s owner in the afterlife. Priests at the temples sold
mummies of cats and dogs, as well as ibis birds and baboons to pilgrims as
votive offerings to the gods. Recent x-rays of animal mummies found in caches
in Saqqara show that the priests often cheated their clients and the mummies
were often no more than a bundle of sticks and mud, bound up to resemble the
animal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The humour of an ancient Egyptian artist concludes this article. In a cartoon from ancient
times on display in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Brooklyn</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, a cat is shown in
the role of a servant presenting a duck dinner to his master, a mouse!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcS-ZrPON0geC99WUPPYDmaBZ4kagJ5vLSDoB1aVGIoyOAlxPykoUIkSwgWsxbpZ6e5rR4kdOP48qUv6EuVD-u401GCUSB6_faC6JPLzW0dpTZtRlU1X9-oT4-5qsNTZjLNbL33uA_sw/s1600/Cat+and+Mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcS-ZrPON0geC99WUPPYDmaBZ4kagJ5vLSDoB1aVGIoyOAlxPykoUIkSwgWsxbpZ6e5rR4kdOP48qUv6EuVD-u401GCUSB6_faC6JPLzW0dpTZtRlU1X9-oT4-5qsNTZjLNbL33uA_sw/s400/Cat+and+Mouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-17486073711200064622012-01-06T07:03:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:08:37.256-08:00<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span >The Great Pyramid of Khufu.</span></b> </p><p class="MsoNormal">[Some notes by Anthony Holmes (somewhere in <st1:country-region st="on">South Africa)</st1:country-region> written to Mike Pelletier (somewhere in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>)]</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Before entering into a dialogue with you on the origin and purpose of the Great Pyramid or any other ancient artefact for that matter it is best to define the terms <i>esoteric, fantastic </i>and<i> main stream. </i>The correct meaning of <i>esoteric</i> is ‘limited to a select group’. Unfortunately <i>esoteric </i>has become a synonym for <i>fantastic </i>(the product of fantasy). <i>Esoteric</i> is incorrectly used in a derogatory sense when referring to <i>esoteric </i>theories, especially in relation to ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <i>main stream</i> theorists are the archaeologists and historians at the opposite end of the spectrum from those of the select group. They represent the conventional wisdom of the time. It is however for each individual to decide whether the currently espoused theories are acceptable or whether they are merely based on presupposition. Naturally the majority sheepishly follow the <i>main stream</i> into the fold without question, so it is up to the select few to challenge currently held beliefs and to put forward alternative possibilities. Such suggestions may be received with disdain or ridicule by those whose status and income requires them to support convention, but such rejection should not prevent those with divergent theories from offering them for discussion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6">In seeking explanations for the unexplained, one should be permitted to read any books/articles or watch TV ‘documysteries’; but reader beware – there is a great deal of rubbish out there. So, , when enjoying the tenuous connections put forward by these ‘factasy’ writers always check for the tell-tale signs of invention. Such phrases as ‘statistics reveal’; ‘scientists have ascertained’; ‘it is well known’; ‘by pure chance’ are sure indicators. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6">The linking of one mystery to support another is often a clue to a lack of solid evidence. [quote David H Lewis from ‘Mysteries of the Pyramid’ to which you refer: <i>(my comments in italics) </i><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">"This unusual venture into these secret chambers was</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">costly, not only in a monetary aspect, but in the four lives that were lost in the few short years that followed the expedition - due</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">to this entry and the information gained. <i>(a conspiracy within a conspiracy)</i> Although nothing was removed from these chambers, the microfilms have</span></span> <span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">since proven to be a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">priceless entity to those who place money</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">in a higher regard than human life. <i>(What does that mean?)</i> It is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">entirely doubtful now that these micro film clips will ever be displayed for the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">general public and will remain as guarded as the spacecraft now in captivity at our Air Force Base.” (<i>Another conspiracy for support)</i>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">So let’s get to that huge pile of stone called the Great Pyramid (GP) of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> and first review what we know, what we think we know and what we don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:#F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">We know</span></b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Materials of construction:<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">The GP is built mainly from approximately 2,300,000 limestone blocks which were quarried in the immediate vicinity of the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> plateau. Originally the GP was cased in fine Tura limestone which came from a second quarry across the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place>. The interior chambers are constructed from granite transported to site from <st1:city st="on">Aswan</st1:city>, far to the south of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city>. The blocks of stone vary in mass with the larger granite blocks weighing up to 80 tonnes or more each (1 tonne = 1000kg). The estimated total mass is 5.9 million tonnes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(246, 246, 246); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span class="a"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Accuracy of construction:<o:p></o:p></span></span></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">Very precise. The overall dimensions are 146.5metres high by 230.4metres side length. The ratio of the perimeter of the base to the height equals 2П (two pi) with 0.05% accuracy. The base is horizontal and flat to within 15mm. The four sides of the base have an average error of only 58mm in length. The sides of the square base are oriented to the cardinal points within 4 minutes of arc (based on true north) and the corners are squared to within 12 seconds of arc. The mean opening of the joints is estimated at 0.5mm. The coordinates of the GP are </span></span><span style="color:#222222;background:white">29° 58′ 44.68″N 31° 8′ 2.58″E. [The longitude is irrelevant as the Greenwich meridian hadn’t been established and the proximity of its latitude to 30°N probably has no significance, being the position of a limestone plateau on the west bank of the Nile].</span><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">There are many other physical dimensions well measured and documented and this is where fact ends and speculation begins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">What do we think we know?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">It was a tomb!</span></b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "> Who told you that, Mike? Show me the body! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">There are no inscriptions. In the so-called King’s Chamber there is an empty, damaged stone chest often called a sarcophagus, but no proof that it was used as such. (Note: sarcophagus from the Greek</span></span> σαρκοφάγος which <span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">means ‘flesh eating’ and should only be used when conclusively shown to have contained a body). The term King’s Chamber itself is a modern label.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">It was built by/for King Khufu</span></b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">. How do you know? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">There are a couple of red painted quarryman’s hieroglyphic daubs in the relieving chamber above the King’s Chamber that may refer to the name of Khufu. The hieroglyphs may have been faked by Richard Howard Vyse in 1837, (Vyse was infamous for his use of gunpowder as an archaeological tool!), but the position of the hieroglyphs makes forgery unlikely. However the presence of the daubs does not prove the GP was built at the time of Khufu. The tomb of Hetepheres, the mother of Khufu was discovered close to the GP. Hetepheres tomb was undisturbed since antiquity, but it appears to be a reburial performed in ancient times. The sarcophagus was sealed but empty. Having your coffin buried next to an edifice doesn’t mean your son built it! Shards and remains were found in the vicinity dated to the 4<sup>th</sup> Dynasty, the time of Khufu. So what – I say! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">It was built by Egyptians</span></b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">. Most researchers think so, especially Egyptian archaeologists. There is no proof that anyone else was involved, but the absence of proof is not proof of absence! The buildings in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dubai</st1:place></st1:city> were designed and project-managed by European and North American architects and engineers. The physical work was done by Taiwanese, Indian and Korean and other labourers. Ask a local in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Dubai</st1:place></st1:city> and you will be told they were built by the Emeratis and in a century no-one will dispute that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">In summary the GP may have been used during the reign of King Khufu but there is no conclusive evidence it was designed and built at that time, or that it was built by Egyptians and no proof it was designed to be used as a tomb.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">What don’t we know about the GP?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">Almost everything! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">As is the case with any mystery, by not knowing very much we are open to even the most fantastic suggestions. An entire industry of creative fiction has been established on the diverse theories of ‘How? Who? Why? and When?’ of the GP. The least proven concept, but in my opinion the most intriguing aspect is the link between the mystery of the GP and the idea that an ancient body of advanced knowledge pre-existed the ‘Egyptian’ culture. It is variously described a repository of (essentially scientific) information that has been lost or remains hidden to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><b><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">Let’s try the How? question first:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span class="a"><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; ">Look at the facts concerning the GP. The </span></span><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">volume of the GP including an internal hillock, is roughly 2,500,000 cubic meters. Building this in 20 years (the supposed length of Khufu’s reign) would involve installing approximately 800 tonnes of stone every day. Similarly, since it consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks, completing the building in 20 years would involve moving an average of more than 12 of the blocks into place <u>each hour, day and night</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Over the years, pencils, slide rules, calculators and computers have been used to do the sums. Possibly between 10,000 and 20,000 labourers were involved. The only technology around was the lever, the ramp and the roller. Have you seen the GP? It really is awe-inspiring! The internal chambers are a wonderful work of precision. This was not built by a bunch of part-time farmers waiting for the flood to subside so they could sow their crops! But I get ahead of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I have posed the following question to Egyptologists and never have I received a satisfactory reply. The question is: “With the limits to the technology that we assume prevailed, <u>why did they choose to build with such huge stone blocks</u>? Would it not have been easier and quicker to build with small blocks? [The same question applies to many other monolithic and megalithic structures around the world.] A 100 tonne stone block is a bitch to carve out, transport from the quarry, off-load, chisel to perfect dimensions, lift up 60 meters or more and place precisely in a predetermined space using only levers, ramps and rollers. As an engineer I would prefer 1000 blocks of 100kg each, especially if I had plenty of man power. It’s no sweat to carry and place a cube of 10x100kg blocks per side. So what is the only feasible answer?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">They did it because they could! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It must have been easy for them, easier that my 1000x100kg block cube – and yet… we don’t know of any technology, even today, that would make it easy. Theories have been proposed as to how the GP was constructed. Outside ramps, spiral ramps, inside ramps and combinations of these. Some suggest pulleys, but there is no other indication that pulleys were invented by 2,500 BC in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We are left with an undisclosed technology, some method of making the blocks lighter to make them easy to handle. We therefore have to consider reducing the effect of gravity. I will not go into all the possibilities that have been put forward to achieve that. You may already know about sonic power, the negative mass of white gold powder, telekinesis and similar concepts. <i>(By the way, I love the one-liner a physics lecturer put to his class: “Will anyone who believes in telekinesis please raise my hand!”)</i> The actual technology is less important than the probability of its existence, because it suggests the likelihood of the body of ancient wisdom we touched on previously.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">{I would like to mention at this point the cast-in-situ theory. [<i>This bit was added after the note had been sent to Mike. The possibility was raised by Ishtar in relation to the Bosnian pyramids.</i>] </span>It was proposed by Dr Joseph Davidovits in the 1980's and refined by Prof. Michel Barsoum in 2006. The theory proposes that each block was cast from limestone slurry that was caused to set like concrete. I have certain misgivings. When one looks at the lime stone blocks very closely there is no suggestion of any formwork or shuttering that might have been used as a mould to make a casting. There is an ancient quarry nearby that produced stone blocks and the quarrying technique is still evident. One can see that chisels and wooden wedges were used to separate the big blocks. The geological signature identifies the main blocks as having come from that quarry, although there is some argument about the lack of stratification of micro fossils in the pyramid blocks. The exterior cladding was a very fine-grained, white lime-stone (called Tura) which has been traced to a quarry across the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place>. That leaves the huge granite blocks in the interior of the pyramid. A visit to the granite quarries at <st1:city st="on">Aswan</st1:city> not only provides a match to the type and colour of the granite (which as you know varies considerably), but abandoned quarry works at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Aswan</st1:place></st1:city> show exactly how the granite blocks were quarried. There is a dock that was used to load the blocks onto rafts and with the north flowing current of the Nile, transport to the site at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> could be easily achieved. So I don't see the evidence or even the necessity for postulating a cast-in-situ theory. I believe the builders used huge blocks of stone and placed them in position making use of, in my opinion, a technology that we have lost or fail to understand.}<span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><b><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Let’s consider the question of ‘Who?’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><b><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It was the Egyptians, but only on the basis that the definition of ‘Egyptians’ includes anyone who was in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the time. The supposition of an ancient wisdom does however require the presence of someone capable of controlling it and directing operations. The locals (all 20,000 of them) probably provided the muscle and a couple of them daubed Khufu’s name on a few blocks. The technically talented individual or individuals in charge may also have had the capability to travel the globe (anti-gravity does that for you!) and could have used their knowledge in other lands and on other sites. So (I hear you cry), where did they come from and where did they go?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">My instinct rejects little green men from other worlds. If they exist and are so advanced why would they bother with us? There are other possibilities that exercise the mind. At this point I can only advise you to read up on Multiverse theory and on Multidimensional concepts. A bit heavy if you don’t have much high math. Instinctively I reach for an explanation that suggests that a plane of higher knowledge exists and that we poor folk called <i>homo sapiens</i> or ‘saps’ for short, occasionally experience a ‘leakage’ from that higher plane to ours, possibly deliberately directed from the higher plane and channelled by those who have the talent to do so. The likely answer is therefore that ‘they’ were never here in the physical sense, but were the inspiration in the minds of the locals that enabled them to do remarkable (to us) things. Such inspiration could be the source of genius for the outstanding scientists and artists recorded in history.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><b><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The third question in our conundrum is ‘Why’?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><b><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">At this stage I’m going to disappoint you, Mike. I have absolutely no idea! The GP is an incredibly complex building. The other pyramids on the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> plateau are externally physically similar, but the internal structure is fundamentally a cheap copy of the GP and not even close.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The orientation suggests a relationship to the sun and to the stars. Whenever historians don’t know what’s going on, they say, “It had religious significance!” Well maybe it did have, but as with Stone Henge we can only speculate the form that the religious or stellar observance took until we are made privy to more data.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It is suggested by those who study these things that the king’s body was laid to rest for a limited period while his spirit built up the energy it needed to travel to stars. We have all sorts of explanations as to why the GP was used for this purpose, the current thinking being that the narrow shafts leading from the chambers were pointed at certain stars to ‘project’ the king’s soul towards Sirius or Orion or wherever! This very year 2012AD we might see where these shafts lead us. But as Egyptologists well know, ancient Egyptian belief suggested that souls were able to pass through solid stone in the form of false doors in tombs, so why build shafts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I could put forward the theories of many others, weird, fascinating and strange as they might be. Could it be a dimensional map of the future (ie from 2,500 BC forwards) left by star people? Perhaps it is a power generator. It sharpens razor blades and preserves meat (not proven). Its dimensions create certain energy levels (this is possible, but not proven). The fact is that it may be generating a form of energy that we are unable to measure. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I believe there is a reason for the GP and it may not be a reason we would recognise - a reason emanating from a different plane of consciousness. Perhaps one day…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Just to mention David H Lewis’ book about immense chambers deep beneath the pyramid. In my opinion it is as far-fetched and as unbelievable as HG Wells’ ‘The Time Machine’. The sketches in the Lewis book are kind of Egyptian in style, but the whole thing is too ridiculous. A chamber built to house microfilms to contain all the solutions to what ails the world! (Why microfilm? Why not silicon chips or even more advanced tech? Maybe microfilm was the leading edge of technology when Lewis wrote.) His remarkable descriptions may have more to do with his references to sipping Bourbon to wet his dry throat than to reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">There are natural voids under the GP and under the Sphinx. Ground penetrating radar has shown this to be so, but limestone is prone to this phenomenon. Water from the annual inundation of the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place> would seep through the limestone and the acidic water caused by rotting organic material would dissolve the limestone deep beneath the surface. Are there artificially enhanced voids? Probably! Adrian Gilbert (British author) certainly has made claims in that respect.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">But consider the lack of logic in the following claim: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">‘An advanced civilization, talented and wise, donated its store of ancient wisdom to an aggressive and possessive race of humans who got to the top of the food chain by dominating every other species by force; a human race that has used virtually every invention and discovery since the Stone Age for the purpose of war.’ (There were bronze swords while ploughs were still made of wood, and atoms bombs preceded power generators.) An advanced civilization would understand that conflict and domination, greed and violence are part and parcel of the human genome. Any additional technology would only serve to increase conflict on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">While you are looking for ancient wisdom beneath the GP check out the Emerald Tablet, Thoth’s gift to mankind. It’s worth reading, though not for serious study.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><b><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">So let’s get to ‘When?’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">One theory proposes that the GP was built before Khufu’s reign and he usurped it as a monument to himself. The support for this theory is tenuous to say the least, but it suggests that all three pyramids on the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> plateau existed before Khufu. To judge by other pharaoh’s actions, each king tried to outdo the previous one in construction achievements. There is a reason for this apart from ego. Each king wanted his name to spoken by the living after he died in order to protect his spirit in the after-life, so the bigger the monument the greater the probability of this happening. It is difficult to imagine why Menkaure’s pyramid is smaller than his father Khafre and Khafre’s pyramid in turn is smaller than his father Khufu (the GP). If however the pyramids pre-existed the 4<sup>th</sup> Dynasty, then Khufu would have grabbed the biggest first, Khafre the next and Menkaure would be stuck with the smallest.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Conventional wisdom is that the order of pyramid construction was:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">1: Djozer’s stepped pyramid at <st1:place st="on">Saqqara</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">2: Sekhemhet’s stepped pyramid at <st1:place st="on">Saqqara</st1:place> (not built – only the surrounds)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">3: Sneferu’s Meidum pyramid<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">4: Sneferu’s Bent pyramid at Dashur<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">5: Sneferu’s North (Red) pyramid at Dashur<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">6: <b>Khufu’s Great Pyramid at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city>.</b> The pinnacle of pyramid construction!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">7: Djedefre’s pyramid at Abu Rawash<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">8: Khafre’s Pyramid at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city>.<b> </b><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">9: Menkaure’s pyramid at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">10: and so on…….There are about 35 major and a hundred or so minor pyramids in Egypt and many more in Sudan.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">The time between the death of Djozer and the start of Khufu’s reign is only 60 years. The technological jump from Djozer’s stepped pyramid to Khufu’s GP is astonishing. The GP is about 2½times the height and nearly 8times the mass. It is far advanced in complexity and accuracy, all in 60 years; and then, just as surprisingly the technology began to fade away again. It’s like going from a bicycle to a jet fighter and back to a bicycle. It is this kind of anomaly that breeds alternative suggestions as to the origin of the technology, whence it came and to where it went. But it would all be possible if talented and skilled design-architects gave of their knowledge and time, and then left the locals to their own devices. The half-life of construction knowledge would be about one or two generations and the knowledge would gradually be corrupted and lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">To me, the most logical answer to ‘when’ is the time of Khufu (c.2550BC), but the achievement would require superior construction techniques and oversight by advanced technicians.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">So Mike, I hope you enjoyed this little dissertation. Let me have your reaction and maybe further questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Kind regards<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Tony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">January 2012<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:justify;background: #F6F6F6"><span style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "> </span><span style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-right-color: windowtext; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-left-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; border-right-width: 1pt; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; padding-top: 0cm; padding-right: 0cm; padding-bottom: 0cm; padding-left: 0cm; "><o:p></o:p></span></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-63000768500424199422011-12-21T23:52:00.000-08:002011-12-21T23:54:26.699-08:00<div><span ><span >Tragic loss of ancient manuscripts</span></span></div><span ><span ><span ><div><span ><span ><span ><br /></span></span></span></div>Napoleon's 'Description de L'Egypte' lost to fire amid clashes<br />Ahram Online, Sunday 18 Dec 2011<br /><br />Thousands of irreplaceable manuscripts at Cairo's Institute for<br />Scientific Research are lost to fire amid attack military attack on<br />protesters at nearby Cabinet building<br /><br />A fire that erupted on Saturday in Egypt’s Institute for the<br />Advancement of Scientific Research has resulted in the loss of several<br />precious manuscripts, according to Zein Abdel-Hadi, head of Egypt’s<br />Libraries and Archives Department, which has taken possession of many<br />of the books rescued from the fire. The original manuscript of<br />Napoleon’s historic “Description De L'Egypte” was reportedly among the<br />losses.<br /><br />Young revolutionaries rushed into the institute – which is located<br />next to the Cabinet building, the site of ongoing clashes between<br />security personnel and anti-government protesters – as soon as the<br />fire erupted in hopes of rescuing the thousands original manuscripts<br />housed there. Nearly 30,000 books were rescued out of a total of<br />around 196,000 in the institute’s collection, estimated Abdel-Hadi,<br />who went on to commend the young activists’ courage.<br /><br />The “Description De L'Egypte” was initially drawn up by the team of<br />French scientists who accompanied French empire-builder Napoleon on<br />his invasion of Egypt (1798-1801). The 20-volume book was originally<br />entitled “Description of Egypt, or the Collection of Notes and<br />Research Done in Egypt during the French Campaign by Napoleon<br />Bonaparte.”<br /><br />After the scientists’ return to France, the French interior minister<br />at the time, Jean Antoine Schpetal, organised a special committee<br />mandated with collecting and publishing all the material, which was<br />eventually published in ten volumes of engravings, nine volumes of<br />research, and one atlas.<br /><br />The volumes are considered among the most important historical works<br />of the early nineteenth century.<br /></span></span></span>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-41705418689041315632011-01-05T02:03:00.000-08:002011-01-05T02:26:18.162-08:00Ancient Egypt in an Hour<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5Oc1TYoowhTHjku3n9GJu6qGO7kbMwREL7dGrL-vUdthSJ2Bm5UJMHOgJBED10DZc_8mEUjm2CxSc58IbXEkFSl8jnfAmKntX0Asy4TRrupUqi3-uMTSzNleFU3BXoGA4vRvx4fKSY4/s1600/The_Pyramids%252C_Giza%252C_Egypt_A.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5Oc1TYoowhTHjku3n9GJu6qGO7kbMwREL7dGrL-vUdthSJ2Bm5UJMHOgJBED10DZc_8mEUjm2CxSc58IbXEkFSl8jnfAmKntX0Asy4TRrupUqi3-uMTSzNleFU3BXoGA4vRvx4fKSY4/s400/The_Pyramids%252C_Giza%252C_Egypt_A.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558646053608539906" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I have recently compiled a concise history of the 3,000 years that the ancient Egyptian culture existed and prospered in the Nile valley. The 10,000 word or one hour read is illustrated and provides an overview of the subject for those busy people who do not have the time or patience to wade through lengthy volumes on the subject. Below is a press release that describes the ebook and the series of History in an Hour. I highly recommend you to look into historyinanhour.com </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black">Ancient <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> In An Hour<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><b> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><u><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">LONDON</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> - For immediate release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">A new iPhone app on Ancient <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> has been launched this week by History In An Hour and specialist electronic publisher Collca.</span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black"> </span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Available from Apple's iTune and iBook stores, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ancient Egypt In An Hour</i> by Anthony Holmes is three thousand years of Ancient Egyptian history summarised in just sixty minutes of reading: hieroglyphs, mummification, Tutankhamen, Rameses the Great and Cleopatra are all here <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>- and much more in just one hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">The title is targeted at commuters, students and the curious who want to learn the facts and context about Ancient Egypt but don’t have much time. It features an engaging narrative, photos and timeline.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Founder of History in An Hour, Rupert Colley established the ebook series after he built an impressive but largely unread library of history books. </span><span style="font-family:Arial">He spotted a gap in the market for an introductory but straight narrative that could capture the essence of a subject with comparatively little effort.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"Many people want an introduction to </span><span style="font-family:Arial">different periods of history," he said, "but don’t always have time to read daunting books of 600 pages with 35 page introductions."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial">History In An Hour takes you <span style="color:black">straight in, to the point in sixty minutes, with no embedded links to divert the attention. Then, having absorbed the basics, the reader may feel inspired to explore further.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Ancient Egypt In An Hour</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> is the eighth in the History In An Hour series of ebooks to be made available as an iPhone or iPad app, or eBook.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Mike Hyman, Managing Director of Collca said:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"We had been looking for highly relevant eBook partners to work with in producing apps and found History In An Hour. We are very pleased with how the partnership has worked to produce <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ancient Egypt In An Hour</i>. Other titles from the series include <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">World War Two In An Hour</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Nazi Germany In An Hour</i>,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> The Cold War In An Hour </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> 1066 In An Hour</i>."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Quotes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"The format certainly makes for an ideal ebook ... This is the way of the future of history publishing."</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"> Andrew Roberts, historian.</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"Can I just say at this point that I think the idea of ebooks you can read in an hour is a fantastic one?" </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Editor,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </i>History Times<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"I must congratulate you on a great idea." </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">The<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> </i>Army Children Archive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"By the time my train journey was over I genuinely felt more knowledgeable. Good stuff, I look to the other titles coming out." </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Buyer review on the App Store.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"I really like the history in an hour series. Feel like I'm reading a million pages a week now." </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Twitter follower.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">"I've just used a couple of your free to download resources and I was hugely impressed with them." </span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">History teacher, Wales.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Collca</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;color:black"> is a brand-new electronic publisher specialising in book-derived and other reference and educational apps initially for the Apple iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch.<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">History In An Hour </span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">ebooks can be downloaded from <u>historyinanhour.com</u>, Apple's iBook store, <a href="http://www.historyinanhour.com%2C/"></a>Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and Stanza on various different e-book formats (MobiPocket, epub, Sony Reader, Palm Doc, and Apple's iPhone and iPad.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Contact:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black">Rupert Colley (History In An Hour)<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>rupert@historyinanhour.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; ">Mike Hyman (Collca)<span style="mso-tab-count:3"> </span>mike.hyman@collca.com</span></p> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; ">Anthony Holmes (Author)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; "><span style="mso-tab-count:3"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; ">mwtonyho@mweb.co.za</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><b><br /></b></span></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-92085475559858689572010-09-29T00:31:00.000-07:002010-09-29T01:31:14.445-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue">The Third Intermediate Period of Ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="color:blue">By Anthony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Note: The dates below are BCE (Before the Common Era)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The history of ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> is divided into several periods. Some periods were eventful and memorable for their achievements. The Old Kingdom remains famous for its pyramids and sphinx; the New Kingdom is remembered as the time of Tutankhamun and Rameses the Great, when tombs were excavated in the <st1:place st="on">Valley of the Kings</st1:place> and massive stone temples were constructed. The Hellenistic Period was the time of Cleopatra VII, arguably the most famous ruler of the Ptolemy Dynasty. There were other periods that did not enjoy the same fame or notoriety. One of these is the so-called “Third Intermediate Period” that occupied four centuries between the era of the Rameside kings of the New Kingdom and the start of the final throw of the dice for ancient <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> called The Late Period. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The New Kingdom began when the Hyksos invaders were driven out of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It was a great period which saw the rise of Tuthmose III and Rameses II, the two great warrior kings, but by the time Rameses VI came to the throne in 1141 the disintegration of the great Egyptian empire had begun. Little of note can be reported about the reigns of the remaining five kings of the <st1:place st="on">New Kingdom</st1:place> who all chose the name Rameses, probably in the hope that the magic of the name would rub off on them. When Rameses XI died the New Kingdom came to an end and <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> entered the Third Intermediate Period which lasted 400 years from 1064 to 664.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Period and </span></u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><u>Dynasties</u><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span><u>Dates<o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Predynastic Period: <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Naqada I & II & Dynasty 0 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span>4000 to3000 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Early Dynastic Period<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Dynasties 1 & 2 <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3150 to 2584<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Old Kingdom</span></st1:place><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Dynasties 3 to 6<span style="mso-tab-count: 2"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>2584 to 2117<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">First Intermediate Period<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Dynasties 7 to 11 part 1<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>2117 to 2066<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Middle Kingdom<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Dynasties 11 part 2 to 12<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>2066 to 1650<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Second Intermediate Period<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Dynasties 13 to 17<span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span>1650 to 1549<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">New Kingdom</span></st1:place><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;color:black">Dynasties 18 to 20<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span>1549 to 1069<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><u><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Third Intermediate Period Dynasties 21 to 25<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>1064 to 664<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Saite Period<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Dynasty 26<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span>664 to 525<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Late Period<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Dynasties 26 to 31<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span>525 to 332 <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Hellenistic Period<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Macedonians & Ptolemies<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>332 to 30<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Roman Period<span style="mso-tab-count:2"> </span>Egypt ruled by <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rome</st1:place></st1:city><span style="mso-tab-count:2"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>30 to 395CE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">In order to understand the Third Intermediate Period it is necessary to examine the rise and fall of the other kingdoms and empires of Asia and their impact on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. By 1064, the Hittite kingdom, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>’s great enemy and the <st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Mittani</st1:placename>, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>’s great ally had both collapsed and from 1020, the <st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Israel</st1:placename> was the most powerful trading kingdom in <st1:place st="on">Asia</st1:place> under its kings Saul, David and Solomon. After Solomon died the <st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Israel</st1:placename> split into two; <st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> in the north and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Judah</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the south. These were two kingdoms of similar people sharing a single religion. At times they were allies and at other times they were enemies, but throughout they shared one common enemy; the <st1:placetype st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Damascus</st1:placename> across the <st1:place st="on">Jordan River</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The Phoenician maritime traders expanded their activities in the Mediterranean Sea, founding colonies along the North African coastline as far as <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The most powerful Phoenician colony was <st1:city st="on">Carthage</st1:city>, in modern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tunisia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The trade between the Phoenicians and <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> prospered, with <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> exporting fine linen to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tyre</st1:place></st1:city>, where it was dyed purple. The increasing use of the Aramaic language in preference to Akkadian brought with it an increase in the demand for papyrus rather than clay tablets and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was the sole supplier of papyrus, a scarce commodity at that time.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><br /></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:black">THE MIDDLE EAST APPROX. 1000 BCE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEZ0ZJq6ajWT7lwIJh5avdbNm8RMA82Bi92ffcR5FOBr0HUPSexAopnhKLI8s5NhBcRSB9KwWK6Yep6XmDDsU1Zxr0EBWnQ1C50mfeWJu-lKVsnQkUtK0OxO0eKRQWKXtJlpHkAVh7cM/s1600/Middle+East+Third+Intermed.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEZ0ZJq6ajWT7lwIJh5avdbNm8RMA82Bi92ffcR5FOBr0HUPSexAopnhKLI8s5NhBcRSB9KwWK6Yep6XmDDsU1Zxr0EBWnQ1C50mfeWJu-lKVsnQkUtK0OxO0eKRQWKXtJlpHkAVh7cM/s400/Middle+East+Third+Intermed.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522237984853008690" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">While <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>’s trade prospered, the Assyrians (named for the ancient city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Assur</st1:place></st1:city>, their original capital) became the region’s dominant military power. From their national home between the Tigris and <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Euphrates</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Rivers</st1:placetype></st1:place>, the Assyrians surged forth with their military might. The Assyrian army continued to use heavy chariots with a three man crew, the design of which was pioneered by the Hittites. With the availability of larger breeds of horses they were also able to introduce cavalry, a new concept to middle-eastern warfare. The Assyrians conquered the various tribes of <st1:place st="on">Mesopotamia</st1:place> and then swept westwards, over-running the area. The kingdoms of <st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region st="on">Judah</st1:country-region> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Damascus</st1:place></st1:city> survived, but under Assyrian overlord-ship. Frequent rebellions in these kingdoms resulted in <st1:place st="on">Assyria</st1:place> reducing two of them to the status of provinces. Only <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Judah</st1:place></st1:country-region> was left as a kingdom. By 720 the Assyrian Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf into Anatolia (<st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Turkey</st1:place></st1:country-region>) in the north and to the Egyptian border in the southwest. Conflict with <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was inevitable.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ2mh01lh9ms54UsDUi-a4Ke2mNcsDvLw2RGqS1ydnDA7D0wnA5_xr9Lrv-rFM4yRDjLmy7I6WqX2iZgJOZOmAXMjmpxCV020e0oEssryWwzf9TC2QjCU-3FVfXcoY2MDWBXAyi4BqEc/s1600/Third+Inter+timel%3Bine.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ2mh01lh9ms54UsDUi-a4Ke2mNcsDvLw2RGqS1ydnDA7D0wnA5_xr9Lrv-rFM4yRDjLmy7I6WqX2iZgJOZOmAXMjmpxCV020e0oEssryWwzf9TC2QjCU-3FVfXcoY2MDWBXAyi4BqEc/s400/Third+Inter+timel%3Bine.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522237138687466178" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The Third Intermediate Period began in 1064 with the founding of the 21<sup>st</sup> Dynasty when Nesibanebdjedet, the former governor of the delta city of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tanis</st1:place></st1:city> acceded to the throne. The political control of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> had always been difficult because it was such a long, narrow land. Strong rulers were able to exert their control over the whole land from the Nile Delta to the first cataract at modern day Aswan (about 1,000 kms), but the country was frequently divided in two, with control of the delta region under a northern king and the control of the long southern region under a different king. The 21<sup>st</sup> Dynasty lasted 124 years and saw <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> split into two (again!). Lower Egypt (the delta region in the north) was under the rule of the King in the delta city of <st1:city st="on">Tanis</st1:city>, while Upper Egypt (the south) was controlled by the High Priest of the god Amun at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thebes</st1:place></st1:city>. Fortunately this time the division of the land did not result in conflict. In fact there was a high degree of co-operation between the two areas. During his 53 year reign, the fourth king of the 21<sup>st</sup> Dynasty Pasebkhanut I ruled from <st1:city st="on">Tanis</st1:city> as King and his brother Menkheperre ruled from <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Thebes</st1:city></st1:place> as High Priest. Understandably, researchers find it to be a period of confusion. The sixth king of the 21<sup>st</sup> Dynasty, Osorkon was of Lybian background. The Lybians were traditional enemies of <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>, but now their bloodline was infused into in the so-called royal family of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>. History records eight kings during the 21<sup>st</sup> Dynasty.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The 22<sup>nd</sup> Dynasty commenced in 948 with the accession of Shoshenq 1 and the reunification of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> (again!). The hereditary role of High Priest of Thebes as a ruler of <st1:place st="on">Southern Egypt</st1:place> in his own right was abolished and instead it became a position held by the son of the reigning king (a sort of ‘Prince of Wales’ appointment). This consolidation worked for a number of years. <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> reasserted its military force and at least two military campaigns were recorded under Shoshenq 1, one of which took place in the <st1:place st="on">Levant</st1:place> and is recorded in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Regrettably personal ambition prevailed and Harsiese, the High Priest of Amun did not wait for his turn on the throne, but took full kingly status for himself and passed the pontificate of Amun to his own son. So once again <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was divided. Royal and priestly titles were taken and conferred prolifically in <st1:city st="on">Tanis</st1:city>, <st1:city st="on">Memphis</st1:city> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thebes</st1:place></st1:city>. It was a royal supermarket! At this time several parallel kingships existed. The 23<sup>rd</sup> Dynasty commenced in 867 and the 24<sup>th</sup> Dynasty operated from 735, both running in parallel with the existing 22<sup>nd</sup> Dynasty. A Biblical passage that refers to the ‘kings of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>’ was in all probability a reference to this period. My all-time favourite king name for this period is King Takelot.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was the power of <st1:city st="on">Kush</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>’s southern neighbour from <st1:country-region st="on">Nubia</st1:country-region> (<st1:country-region st="on">Sudan</st1:country-region>) that was to see a change in the traditional line of kings of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Piye, the king of <st1:place st="on">Kush</st1:place> installed his sister as heir to the position of God’s Wife of Amun, a most influential female appointment, without encountering any opposition. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The 25<sup>th</sup> Dynasty called ‘Rule of Kush’ began in 752. King Piye moved north from Kush, defeating all in his way, but having succeeded in his mission of subduing <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>, he left <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> under the control of his newly appointed vassals and withdrew to his home base in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nubia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. His successor Shabaka was less accommodating. He took up residence in <st1:city st="on">Memphis</st1:city> in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> and curtailed the power of the vassal lords. Shabaka ruled as King of the lands of <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> and <st1:place st="on">Kush</st1:place>, but not without some internal resistance from the Egyptian princes of the Delta region who resented the Kushite invasion. With a little patience this period might have seen the resurgence of the power of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but it was not to be! The next king, Shabataka overreached himself by marching a combined Nubian and Egyptian army into <st1:place st="on">Asia Minor</st1:place> to challenge the Assyrians. The combined forces were soundly beaten by the mighty Assyrian forces. Shabataka’s impetuous challenge awakened the Assyrians to the potential (and the weakness) of Egypt/Kush and although Shabataka’s successor Taharqa followed a strictly domestic strategy, the ultimate fate of the Kushite kings was looming. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The Assyrian king Esarhaddon attacked <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> twice and on his second incursion he defeated and subdued <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> as far as <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Memphis</st1:place></st1:city>. Taharqa fought back and helped by the unexpected death of Esarhaddon regained a foothold in <st1:place st="on">Lower Egypt</st1:place>. It was not for long. The next Assyrian king, Assurbanipal renewed the Assyrian surge and drove Taharqa all the way back to <st1:city st="on">Napata</st1:city>, beyond the third cataract in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nubia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The Kushites tried one more time to reassert their rule over <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> and managed to reclaim territory as far as <st1:city st="on">Thebes</st1:city>, but Assurbanipal drove Taharqa’s successor Tanutamun back into <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Nubia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. By 656 the 25<sup>th</sup> Dynasty had ended. The Nubian royal line continued to rule upper <st1:country-region st="on">Nubia</st1:country-region> until the 4<sup>th</sup> Century AD, but the rule of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> passed into the hands of the Delta princes who had supported the Assyrians against the Kushites. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The Third Intermediate Period ended with the death of Tanutamun and the accession of Psametik I of the 26<sup>th</sup> Dynasty. This was the beginning of 60 years of rule of the Delta Princes from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sais</st1:place></st1:city>, called the Saite Period, after which The Late Period commenced.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">The four centuries of the Third Intermediate Period presented <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> and its southern neighbour <st1:place st="on">Kush</st1:place> with every opportunity to consolidate and re-assert the nation’s role as a powerful force in the region. It was a leading manufacturer of linen, papyrus and producer of wheat, but internal fighting for leadership and the lack of a single unifying force on the throne wasted that opportunity. With Assyria in power, Persia to follow and still later Macedonia and ultimately Rome rising up to take over the leadership of the known world, Egypt would never again achieve the heights of the golden age of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:90.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-65433762286943483392010-09-09T01:00:00.000-07:002010-09-09T01:24:26.086-07:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:9.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;color:blue">TAILS*<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>OF ANCIENT <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">EGYPT</st1:country-region></st1:place></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:18.0pt;color:blue"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><br /></st1:country-region></st1:place></span></b></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">*No, it’s not a misprint! We spend a great deal of study-time examining various aspects of the ancient Egyptian iconography from head to foot, but how often do we consider the importance of <b>the tail</b>? There are several depictions and references to ‘tails’ and they deserve more than a passing glance.<o:p></o:p></span></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">The first and by far the most important tail is the bull’s tail. The gods and the kings wore a bull’s tail as part of their regalia and it may be seen attached to every portrait or statue of a divinity or a king. The tail was hung onto the king’s belt during the coronation ceremony. The symbolism is clearly designed to imbue the king with the power and potency of the bull.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br /></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslO547hyK1AttBlsP-QlwQvRFKsZQrCSK7yl9r-DXPVNLGEOvwWJQSB8LgNzHGgRQ-HFpsPI7cWrtyzqPb4bE92FhDTINAwoMh4ZvyTVWCJCkuCpmnYeuqPscNl-AZa0ljOe6EIjqyiY/s1600/RamesesIII_confronting_Isis,_Valley_of_the_Queens,_Dynasty_XX,_1190-1160_BC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslO547hyK1AttBlsP-QlwQvRFKsZQrCSK7yl9r-DXPVNLGEOvwWJQSB8LgNzHGgRQ-HFpsPI7cWrtyzqPb4bE92FhDTINAwoMh4ZvyTVWCJCkuCpmnYeuqPscNl-AZa0ljOe6EIjqyiY/s320/RamesesIII_confronting_Isis,_Valley_of_the_Queens,_Dynasty_XX,_1190-1160_BC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514825003774703506" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 45pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When the king is seated and the back of the chair precludes showing the tail behind him, the artist shows the bull’s tail draped to the front of the chair or throne. Interestingly </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Akhenaten,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the monotheist is often depicted with a bull’s tail attached to his waist-band, showing that he did not totally eschew all the ancient traditions. As a further coronation blessing, the king was anointed with fat obtained from the powerful tail of a crocodile to impart the divine power of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sobek,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the crocodile god. The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">heb-sed</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, which means ‘the festival of the tail’, usually held after the king had been on the throne for thirty years, was designed to ensure the king still had the strength to rule his people. The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">heb-sed </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ceremony renewed the king’s strength and ensured that his ‘bull’s tail’ retained its earlier potency. Included in the king’s list of honours was </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">mut em ef</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, translated as ‘bull of his mother’, a further reference to the king’s strength and virility.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The cult of the</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Hap </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(or Apis bull) can be traced back to the early pharaonic period and it survived for nearly three millennia. A black bull with special markings was considered to be the animal form of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ptah,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> a creator god who dwelt in the underworld and was the patron of all craftsmen. In his aspect of the bull, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ptah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was revered in </span><st1:place st="on"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Saqqara</span></i></st1:place><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and it was here that the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hap </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">lived and died in his sacred stall, tended by the priests of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ptah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and surrounded by his harem of cows. Upon his death, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hap </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">was mummified, placed in a huge sarcophagus</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and lowered into an underground labyrinth. In its many depictions, the Apis bull is shown to be well-endowed with its normal reproductive equipment and additionally to have a great, long tail.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNIvO3YiD46NoZH71khQ7i3l4AYkyny2bhqEks4QZE11e93kszxCNcBLtJEZ5aQFU2sqDXz5mgspnu5jXxdqUbeZKDSJbBhQcpX1IKQynA86eBKWUPnm2VEOWzPnrWhplueicA5Y8fjk/s1600/bull8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNIvO3YiD46NoZH71khQ7i3l4AYkyny2bhqEks4QZE11e93kszxCNcBLtJEZ5aQFU2sqDXz5mgspnu5jXxdqUbeZKDSJbBhQcpX1IKQynA86eBKWUPnm2VEOWzPnrWhplueicA5Y8fjk/s320/bull8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514823889077350226" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The tail sported by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anubis,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the canine god of mummification is probably the most beautiful of the tails of ancient </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The elongated ears, the snout and the huge brush of the canine creature are all exaggerated by the artists. The tail that droops over the side of the shrine found in Tutankhamun’s tomb is wonderful example of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anubis’ </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">rear appendage. The black desert dog-fox that frequents the tombs and the pyramids is supposed to have been the inspiration for the deity, but the live specimens I have seen in </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> do not compare to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Anubis </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">when it comes to the magnificence of their tails.</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbonfr0EG0LkOVMy9atYxc_GGH95jdErTbjMPkjHBmvt1sIPeyZSwnR3x5JatnmQTv_EsTQ0em45934A6cRLBmcP1MFs90gmhppzVTHQEoEMkudnUE8v9xO6Oc9ybFyJ60G_AGpGMeu4c/s1600/8440746zHWpCFbMlm_fs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbonfr0EG0LkOVMy9atYxc_GGH95jdErTbjMPkjHBmvt1sIPeyZSwnR3x5JatnmQTv_EsTQ0em45934A6cRLBmcP1MFs90gmhppzVTHQEoEMkudnUE8v9xO6Oc9ybFyJ60G_AGpGMeu4c/s320/8440746zHWpCFbMlm_fs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514823477486458562" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The tail of the Sphinx, carved in the ancient stone of </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Giza</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, can be clearly seen as it curls round the lion’s haunch. Some years ago the suspicion that a chamber of ancient wisdom lay beneath the Sphinx waxed strongly (has it ever waned?). The prospect of entering the world’s most famous sculpture through its rear end presented us with another famous tale of a tail. Regrettably for some, the entrance next to the tail of the Sphinx proved to be shallow and unrewarding, however in 1988 Zahi Hawass reported that he had entered an obscure horizontal tunnel into the Sphinx where he found a pit inundated with water. Perhaps this was one of the taller of the ‘tales’ of ancient </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeeIxlDwMwAaItrVowwmgMP0DsGjDi3oWGMb7Mp8jsSq89tRKYqMfymgURToNzrCHAfIlc_xKAH_ZV8PRyKHWYWgDnMgKDD9t0H4-3Jx30ZC1mmO3hRpCLin9spM6kGNB2ntrzrg3tGA/s1600/sphinx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeeIxlDwMwAaItrVowwmgMP0DsGjDi3oWGMb7Mp8jsSq89tRKYqMfymgURToNzrCHAfIlc_xKAH_ZV8PRyKHWYWgDnMgKDD9t0H4-3Jx30ZC1mmO3hRpCLin9spM6kGNB2ntrzrg3tGA/s320/sphinx.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514823226980186626" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The side members of funerary beds or couches used in mummification were invariably crafted in the form of animals and frequently the tails of these animals, whether realistic or not, curved over the bed itself in a stylised arch. In this case the tail represented a form of protection for the body of the deceased.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUjHs-XfsLQ51u6rATsSO8Eq1FsyY3x6MHuKFUxxeGFEhCjhjH-44YOgwnaBxhBfqsL3DqR7we7OK7lkxw149mxNAzsxMYToJZO0beWD0QM_fEBcmPs4F4a8CyUQ7_ESErBM4LIwoNLk/s1600/cou.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUjHs-XfsLQ51u6rATsSO8Eq1FsyY3x6MHuKFUxxeGFEhCjhjH-44YOgwnaBxhBfqsL3DqR7we7OK7lkxw149mxNAzsxMYToJZO0beWD0QM_fEBcmPs4F4a8CyUQ7_ESErBM4LIwoNLk/s320/cou.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514822855775079570" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One tail that presents a puzzle is the one seen attached to the panther or cheetah skin worn by the high priest. The panther skin is normally shown on papyrus and depicted on walls with its spots (actually rosettes) clearly painted by the artist, but the tail is invariably shown with hoops or bands. A leading zoologist I consulted was unable to identify a feline, past or present, whose pelt would be of sufficient size and that had a coat with spots (or rosettes) and a tail with bands. I think we must assume that the artists were taking licence and going for speed rather than accuracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWQNbAW6lKmi3MxiyLs7oIChGSZKNZmlzyHDuC6PkepmgX-VuXpcgUjPFC1sq74K5TDevgtTA3Udj1i8FW97Dp4TvorhF7XqEraOEwrrrvYxgxFlkLeDMQaB4rlQkjf0lkCHbI3nKFZU/s1600/Front+Cover+mod.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWQNbAW6lKmi3MxiyLs7oIChGSZKNZmlzyHDuC6PkepmgX-VuXpcgUjPFC1sq74K5TDevgtTA3Udj1i8FW97Dp4TvorhF7XqEraOEwrrrvYxgxFlkLeDMQaB4rlQkjf0lkCHbI3nKFZU/s320/Front+Cover+mod.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514822548982132402" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The last tail to which I would like to refer is that of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> the murderer of his brother </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Osiris.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> When </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is depicted in his animal form he appears to be a combination of the features of several creatures. He has the body of a grey hound, an elongated snout, pricked up ears with flat tips, almond-shaped eyes and a long, fork-ended tail standing up from its body. The fork-ended tail has come down through the ages as a sign of evil, as has the name of the evil deity </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that transmutes into Satan in modern language.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There may be other tails that carry a tale, so to speak. Perhaps stories lurk in the tail of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bastet </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the cat or in that of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sekhmet </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the lioness and if you discover them, be sure to let me know.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-84121854236437317722010-08-27T08:37:00.000-07:002010-08-27T08:42:07.873-07:00<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue">The Pharaoh of the Exodus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue">By Anthony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The Biblical story of the trials and tribulations of the children of <st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> that eventually led to their departure from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> is documented in Jewish history, but singularly uncorroborated in Egyptian records. This situation is not entirely surprising because the Egyptians seldom made any reference to their defeats or misfortunes. Some students of ancient history accept that a migration did take place basically as described in the Bible despite the absence of Egyptian reports, while some commentators suggest that the Exodus never took place. They suggest the story is merely an allegory for the escape from physical torment through religious practice. Other writers have proposed that the story of the Exodus was subsequently contaminated by accounts of the Jewish experience of bondage in <st1:city st="on">Babylon</st1:city> many centuries later and that it should not be considered to be a realistic account of events in the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place> delta.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The reference in the Bible to the interaction between Moses and the Pharaoh does not specify which Pharaoh was on the throne at the time of the Exodus and this has led to considerable speculation. In this article we will do a little chronological sleuthing, and using the Biblical report as a baseline, we will try to place the events described in the Book of Exodus against a possible time frame that takes account of events in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">We have very few clues to guide us, but we are told the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Exodus 12.40 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Now the sojourning of the children of <st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region> who dwelt in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">430 years.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">In order to make use of this statement we need to deduce when the period of 430 years began. We know that the title “children of Israel” can only have started after Jacob had received the name “Israel”, and that the sojourn may have commenced when Jacob came to Egypt with his family of 76 persons or sometime later (but not before).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>The saga of the Exodus of the Israelites therefore has to begin with Jacob (called <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>) and his favourite son Joseph, he of the coat of many colours. Joseph was 17 when he was sold to the Midianites by his jealous brothers and taken to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. He was sold on to Potiphar an Egyptian officer of the pharaoh. Joseph did well and was made overseer of the house of Potiphar.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When Potiphar’s wife’s advances were spurned by Joseph, she framed him for rape and he was imprisoned.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Joseph was a model prisoner and developed a reputation as an interpreter of dreams. When the pharaoh wanted his own dream interpreted he was advised of Joseph’s talent. The pharaoh called for Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Joseph gave the seven years of plenty/seven years of famine interpretation and advised the pharaoh to place a wise man over the land to ensure the collection and storage of the surplus grain during the good years. The pharaoh appointed Joseph, the 30 year old Hebrew ex-convict to the highest position in the land other than the king. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Seven years of plenty came as predicted. Joseph arranged for the accumulation of the surplus grain. Seven years of famine began and Joseph was in charge of selling the accumulated grain reserve. Joseph was about 40 years of age.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Joseph’s brothers came from drought-stricken <st1:place st="on">Canaan</st1:place> to buy grain. Joseph made himself known to his brothers and it was sometime later that Jacob came to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> with his family. The pharaoh told Joseph to give his father and brethren the best land in the country in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Goshen</st1:placename></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Genesis 47.11<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the <st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Egypt</st1:placename>, in the best of the land, in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Ram</st1:placename></st1:place>’-e-ses as Pharaoh had commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">This verse indicates that the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Ram-e-ses</st1:placename></st1:place> existed at the time of Joseph, centuries before the accession of Rameses I (the first pharaoh to carry that name). Jacob lived for 17 years in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> before he died, at which time Joseph would have been +/- 60 years of age. Joseph lived on to 110 years of age.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Exodus:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">1.8<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now there arose up a new king over <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>, which knew not Joseph.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">1.9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> are more and mightier than we:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">1.10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">1.11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for the Pharaoh treasure cities, Pi-thom and Ra-am-ses.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">It is this reference to Ra-am-ses that many commentators use to state that the exodus cannot have taken place before the reign of Pharaoh Rameses, ignoring the previous, much earlier references to the ‘land of Rameses’. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">To limit the population growth of the Israelites, the pharaoh gave instructions to the Hebrew midwives to kill all new born sons, but to let the daughters live. The midwives ignored his instruction, using the excuse that by the time they came to deliver, the babies had already been born and smuggled away. The Pharaoh then gave the order that all new born sons should be cast into the river. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">It was into these circumstances that Moses was born. His story of being placed in a basket on the river and being found and raised as the son of the pharaoh’s daughter is well known. Moses grew up as an Egyptian and probably only spoke Egyptian. (Later, when instructed by God to speak to the Israelites, Moses tells God in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Exodus 4.10</i> of his lack of eloquence – presumably in the Hebrew language). After slaying an Egyptian and being in fear of his life he hid from the pharaoh in Midian. He fathered a son with Jethro’s daughter Zipporah. He then heard that the pharaoh had died.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Exodus 2.23 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">And it came to pass in process of time that the king of <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> died: and the children of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place> sighed by reason of their bondage,…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Moses returned to <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> with Aaron by his side and after the ten plagues had been visited on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> he eventually persuaded the newly enthroned pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Moses died at the age of 120 years after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. By subtraction he had been a man of about 80 when he led the Exodus out of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Another piece of information that might help us in our quest relates to the number of people involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">Exodus 12.37 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">And the children of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> journeyed from Ram-e-ses to Suc-coth, about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">six hundred thousand</b> on foot that were men, besides children.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Check the arithmetic: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Start with 76 persons at a birth rate of 2% after 430 years there would be 380,000. It would take 455 years for the population to reach approx. 600,000. With all the assumptions I think we might as well accept this number (455 years from the time Jacob came to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">We know of a single reference to the Israelites in ancient Egyptian records, dating to the fifth year of the ten year reign of Pharaoh Merenptah, the successor to Rameses the Great. On a stone stele Merenptah records the victories of his campaigns against <st1:country-region st="on">Libya</st1:country-region> to the west and <st1:place st="on">Canaan</st1:place> and other countries to the east. This would have been about 1210BC. Merenptah claims <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">“Israel is laid waste, its seed is no more”.</span></i><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Two interesting notions arise from the hieroglyphic inscription. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The first is that, unlike the Bible, the Egyptians did not use the term ‘seed’ to refer to the seed or progeny of man. T<span class="apple-style-span">he phrase "wasted, bare of seed" is often used of defeated nations. It implies that the store of grain of the nation in question has been destroyed, which would result in a famine the following year, incapacitating them as a military threat to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">The second interesting point is the way in which the Israelites are described in the hieroglyphs.</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> While the other defeated Egyptian enemies listed beside the Israelites in this stele such as Ashkelon, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Gezer</st1:place></st1:city> and Yanoam were given the determinative for a city-state—the hieroglyphs that refer to the Israelites employ the determinative sign used for<span class="apple-converted-space"> a </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">foreign people (not a foreign land).<i> </i>It appears that the Israelites at this stage were a semi-nomadic people still seeking their home land. This most likely took place in the time of Joshua.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Joshua battled with the many nations that resented the arrival of the Israelites and it was only after his leadership that the Israelites became a landed nation. Joshua’s activities as the leader of the tribe may have lasted at least 40 years. (He was 110 years old when he died). Add this 40 years of fighting to the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness and deduct the total of 80 years from 1210BC (the date of Merenptah’s stele) one comes to a date for the Exodus of 1290BC. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Who was on the throne at that time? Let us assume the margin for error is plus or minus 10 years (i.e 1300 to 1280BC). On that basis we can not get any closer than one of the following:-<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Horemheb<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>1319 to 1292BC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Rameses I <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>1292 to 1290BC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Seti I 1290 to 1279BC<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">A further consideration might help our search. It is clear from the Biblical account that the Pharaoh of the Exodus was a vacillator. On several occasions he agreed to the departure of the Israelites, only to renege on the deal when “his heart was hardened”. Looking at the three candidates above we know from records that Horemheb was a hard pharaoh who brought <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> back from the disasters of the Amarna Period. We also know that Seti 1 fought and won many battles and must have been a decisive ruler. What do we know of Rameses I? He was an old man of 60 when he ascended the throne. He may have been of poor health because he only reigned for 17 months. He was named as Horemheb’s successor because Horemheb had no children, but Rameses I (called Paramessu before his coronation) had several sons and grandsons. If anyone is a candidate for being described as a vacillator it is more likely to be Rameses I than the other two.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">We have another reference to the date of the Exodus in the Bible:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">1 Kings 6.1 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:black">And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:2.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">According to secular historians, Solomon’s <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city> would have been </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">started 971BC</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Traditional rabbinic sources</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"> however state that construction started in 843BC. The two dates differ by 128 years. One places the Exodus in 1451BC, while the rabbinic source places the Exodus in 1323BC, close to our deduced date of 1290BC. The date of 1290BC would put Joseph’s intervention (in the 7 plenty and 7 famine years) in the time of the 12<sup>th</sup> Dynasty.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Is there any indication of this? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">It has been established [refer <st1:city st="on"><em><span style="color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-style: normal">Bell</span></em></st1:city><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black">,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> </span></span><em><span style="color:black; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-style:normal">Barbara</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black">(1975) - "Climate and the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> </span></span><em><span style="color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;font-style:normal">History</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black">of Egypt: The Middle Kingdom"]</span></span> that the mid-12th Dynasty suffered erratic<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> (high and low) <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Nile</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place> </span></span>levels which caused crop failure and the resultant social disruption. It is understandable that low floods would be detrimental to crops, but one might ask why an unusually high<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"> flood </span></span>would hurt crops; <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bell</st1:place></st1:city>'s answer is that under such conditions it would take longer for the water to drain off the fields, and would thus impede the year's planting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In conclusion I suggest the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Joseph came to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1745BC in the 12<sup>th</sup> Dynasty<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Jacob (<st1:country-region st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>) arrived in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1715BC (Second Intermediate Period)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Moses was born about 1370BC in the reign of Amunhotep III</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Exodus took place in 1290BC in the reign of Rameses I </span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:36.0pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">who is therefore </span><span style="color:blue"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Pharaoh of the Exodus</span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-80813616236632281362010-08-14T06:43:00.000-07:002010-08-14T06:45:20.857-07:00<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">Observations on the topic of mummification <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">in ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:blue;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">By Anthony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">Mummification, the art of preserving a body, is a defining element of ancient Egyptian civilization. Mummification differs from the science of embalming. The latter is defined as delaying decomposition to keep the corpse looking natural. The traditional Egyptian mummy, swathed in bandages, is a far cry from an embalmed lifelike body such as that of Vladimir Lenin. However the two terms have become intertwined and are used interchangeably, even by experts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line">We have learnt that the word ‘mummy’ is derived from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">‘mummia’</i>, a bituminous resin found in ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Persia</st1:place></st1:country-region>; however ‘mummy’ is a relatively modern term. Apparently <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“mummia”</i> was not used in mummification, but when mummies were discovered covered with dark plant resin it was assumed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“mummia”</i> played a role and the term mummification was coined.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line">There are two elements to mummification, the physical process and the religious symbolism. The physical process was a secretive art. Our knowledge is derived from ‘reverse engineering’ of the mummies that survived. Information has been derived from the experiment in modern mummification conducted by Robert Brier. The recent discovery by Otto Schaden of KV63, the “embalmers’ cache”, has also helped to shed light on the subject. It is thought that shortly after death the body was taken to a place of purification <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(ibw), </i>probably a tent on hill where the wind would blow the smell away. The brain was ‘liquefied’ by using a hook inserted through the nostrils and rotated like a whisk. The body was turned upside down and the brain matter drained out and discarded. The cranium was cleaned by inserting strips of linen through the nasal cavity and swabbing the inside of the cranium. The body was washed in a natron solution. Natron is a naturally occurring salt of sodium carbonate and sodium bi-carbonate. A 10cm incision was made in the side of the corpse using an obsidian knife (sharper than modern day steel scalpels!). The internal organs were removed through the incision. The organs were cleaned, dried, wrapped and placed in four <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">canopic </i>jars. Four deities were assigned for the protection of the organs: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Qebehsenuf </i>(intestines); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Hapy</i> (lungs); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Duamutef </i>(stomach) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Imseti</i> (liver). The clean cranial space was filled with resin. The eviscerated body cavity was cleaned with palm wine and packed with small bags of natron crystals and of wheat chaff. The body was covered in natron salt crystals above and below until it was desiccated. About 250 kilograms of natron were used for a single body.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line">After 35 days the body was dry, but still slightly flexible. The natron was removed and the body was moved to the house of beauty <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(pr nfr)</i> where it was placed on blocks and carefully bandaged with linen strips and coated with resin. Particular care was taken with the fingers and toes. Amulets and spells were bound into the wrapping to give the body magical protection. The mummy was placed in its coffin, sometimes with a mask and garlands of flowers and herbs. The entire process of mummification took seventy days.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line">The religious symbolism may have stemmed from the mythological story of Osiris who was murdered by his brother Seth. In a depraved act Seth cut his brother’s body into several parts and distributed them over <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Osiris’s sister/wife <st1:place st="on">Isis</st1:place> searched until she found the pieces of her husband’s body and had the body reassembled and bound together using strips of linen. Using an act of powerful magic, Osiris was resurrected and granted the power to impregnate his wife Isis. She bore a son named Horus and Osiris returned to the state of death. He entered the afterlife and became Lord of the Dead. The myth describing Osiris’s re-assembly and resurrection is believed to be the foundation for the practice of mummification. Osiris was allocated the star constellation of Orion and his wife <st1:place st="on">Isis</st1:place> was identified with the bright star Sirius. Sirius is absent from the night sky for precisely seventy days every year as it dips below the Egyptian horizon. The bright star’s reappearance coincided with the start of the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place> flood and the period of the rebirth of the seasons. Perhaps <st1:place st="on">Isis</st1:place>’s seventy day absence was the basis for the time allocated to mummification.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;layout-grid-mode: line">Mummification was initially reserved for royalty, but over the centuries nobles and common folk who could afford it were also mummified. Some of the mummies that survived are incredibly well preserved and are providing a source of DNA for scientists engaged in unravelling the complex relationships of the royal families.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language: EN-US">Let us now ask the obvious questions: Why did the ancient Egyptians mummify their dead? Was it because they believed in the resurrection of the dead? Regrettably we only have theory and supposition to guide us. There is as yet no documentation that satisfactorily answers the questions. The most quoted answer is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">“Bodies buried in the hot dry sand of the Egyptian desert were naturally desiccated but when burials began to take place in tombs, the bodies decomposed. Mummification was introduced to replace what had occurred naturally in the past.”</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">In a recent article in the excellent journal ‘Ancient Egypt’ (Jan 2010), the editor Bob Partridge, makes a compelling case for the theory that mummification was essentially used to gain sufficient time for the deceased’s tomb to be completed. Mummification was instituted in order to preserve the body in an acceptable state for interment once the tomb was complete. One has to ask why the process was so complex if it was merely used for keeping the corpse from decomposing too soon. Partridge also questions the traditional view of the cause/effect relationship between the necessary practice of delaying decomposition in order to complete the tomb and the religious associations with mummification that may only have come about subsequently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">I have researched mummification from the religious perspective and conventional wisdom states the following as the religious reason for mummification:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US">“</span></i><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">Preservation of the body was essential. Without the body, the "Ka" could not return to find sustenance, and if the body decayed and was unrecognisable the “Ka” would go hungry and the afterlife of the deceased would be jeopardised. Mummification was therefore dedicated to the prevention of decay.”</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">There is a second theory containing a similar explanation:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">“The Ka, Ba and Akh, elements of the soul, were believed to be perishable and at great risk. The tomb, the whole process of mummification, the rituals and magic spells ensured the preservation of the dead body and its Ka, Ba and Akh. The purpose of mummification was implemented to keep the soul alive and ensure a clear path to the afterlife.”</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black">These answers have become accepted without much debate, but they deserve further scrutiny. It appears (with certain variations) the ancient Egyptians believed humans comprised seven elements:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Kha<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The mortal body that eventually died.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Ka<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Immortal Spiritual Double, born at the same time and spiritually associated with the placenta. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>was separated from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Kha</i> at death. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Ib<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Heart, portrayed as a vessel that held the deeds of a lifetime.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Sah<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Spirit-body of the deceased destined to become the glorified spirit (the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akh</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Ba<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Immortal Spirit of Intelligence, portrayed as a bird with a human head. At death it moved to a new-born infant and thereby accumulated the wisdom of several lifetimes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Ren<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Name of the deceased. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>was invigorated when the name was spoken favourably by a living person.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Khaibit<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The Shadow. Once the mummy was entombed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Khaibit </i>ceased to exist.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The mystical element called the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akh,</i> closely allied to the concept of a soul, appeared after the successful trial of the deceased.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight: normal">Akh<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">The immortal spirit (soul) created when the deceased received favourable judgement. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sah</i> was transformed into the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akh</i> and took the heart <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Ib) </i>to eternity. In the reign of Pharaoh Djoser (approx 2600</span><span style="font-size:8.0pt; font-weight:normal">BC</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">) the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akh </i>was believed to join the stars around the North Celestial Pole, (the imperishable ones). In the <st1:place st="on">New Kingdom</st1:place> about 1200 years later, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akh </i>was destined to ride with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ra </i>in the solar barque. 1400 years later with the advent of Christianity came the belief that a pure soul entered Heaven. The introduction of Islam about 600AD brought with it the concept of an afterlife spent in <st1:place st="on">Paradise</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">So what were the ancient Egyptians trying to achieve with mummification? Of the seven elements of the body, three remained after death; the name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Ren)</i>, the body <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Kha)</i> and the immortal double <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Ka)</i>. The physical heart was often left in the dead body, but the mystical heart vessel, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ib</i>, was taken to judgement. The name <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Ren)</i> of the deceased was protected by being inscribed in a mortuary temple. Providing its name was spoken, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>could use spells to transform any painting, model or sculpture into the “real” thing and to enjoy the pleasures of it forever. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i> could pass through the false door in the tomb to enjoy the afterlife, an existence much like normal life but free from its imperfections. This description does not however, explain the reason for the elaborate process of mummification of the body <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">(Kha)</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoTitle" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm; margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal">I have read treatises and listened to lectures on this subject by Egyptologists and read papers, articles and blogs by well-qualified individuals, but I have not come across a well-founded archaeological or Egyptological substantiation for the notion that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>needed the mummy in order to survive. The conventional wisdom may well be correct, but it lacks the incontrovertible authority of proof. I have come to the conclusion that the actual reasons for the practice of mummification in ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> have yet to be revealed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-56294424433217585242010-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:002010-08-12T06:46:23.076-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue">THREE <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">TEMPLES</st1:city></st1:place> SELDOM VISITED<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue">By Anthony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:blue"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span style="color:black">Tourists to <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> are generally taken to the major attractions; the pyramids and museums in the <st1:city st="on">Cairo</st1:city> area; the tombs of royalty and nobility on the western bank of the Nile at <st1:city st="on">Luxor</st1:city>; the great stone temples from <st1:city st="on">Luxor</st1:city> to <st1:city st="on">Aswan</st1:city> and a short flight to <st1:place st="on">Abu Simbel</st1:place> if they are fortunate. They may also visit the beautiful temples at <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Abydos</st1:city></st1:place> and Dendera. There are however many other wonders of ancient <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> that have survived and it takes many visits to the country to see them. Three small temples south of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Aswan</st1:city></st1:place> barely get a mention in the travel books, but each has its own intriguing story to tell. The three temples are those of Rameses II at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Wadi el Sebua</b> dedicated to Amun; the Greco Roman temple at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Dakka</b> dedicated to Thoth and the</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black"> Serapis Isis Temple of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Maharraka</b>.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;background:#F9F9F9"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt;background:#F9F9F9"><span class="apple-style-span"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue">The <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Wadi</st1:placename></st1:place> el Sebua<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7tUrIgUNrS1xVhJWtv-ZpIRGbUteZB-jUEWtxrTwZ90_XASFwTBnn6WJqXXnu1Yj6MpyfiSj2b6zNkq3XgLrnZl9Tw3S7e_hfuEBhMOw2krDjHqxxU2LEKjwwbJ_VgnuozuZOBAbk4/s1600/Wadi+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7tUrIgUNrS1xVhJWtv-ZpIRGbUteZB-jUEWtxrTwZ90_XASFwTBnn6WJqXXnu1Yj6MpyfiSj2b6zNkq3XgLrnZl9Tw3S7e_hfuEBhMOw2krDjHqxxU2LEKjwwbJ_VgnuozuZOBAbk4/s320/Wadi+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504518573918779890" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;background:#F9F9F9"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;background:#F9F9F9"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;background:#F9F9F9"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During the </span><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/ehistory.htm#New Kingdom"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">New Kingdom</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">'s</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">18</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></sup></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/hdyn19a.htm"><span style=" border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm; text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">19</span></span><sup><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></span></sup><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Dynasties</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> two</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/temples.htm"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">temples</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">were built about 140 kms south of Aswan</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">in ancient</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/nubia.htm"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nubia</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">on the west bank of the Nile. In the 1960s, when the Aswan High Dam was being built, one of these temples was rescued and moved to a new, elevated site several kms to the northwest. The temple was built by </span><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/19dyn03.htm"><span style=" border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm; text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rameses II</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and is now known as the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Wadi</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> el-Sebua. The earlier </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/amenhotep3.htm"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Amenhotep III</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">was left to be submerged beneath the rising waters of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/lakenasserfishing/"><span style=" border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm;padding:0cm; text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lake Nasser</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Both of these temples were part free standing and part spéos, meaning that sections of the temples were hewn from the surrounding rock</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#272727;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaIbf27_27MWuNhIAX3l601G6Y5zAheRxhk8fPIc-CwBaFygoLBXIbdhD6l1MS9axuhi2ekM0TK8sLZ3UqxB981a-4WgvIrAaeuIFcfDpAg-wX_7RgII8zUYkJLTUksg52-COS6wvSbY/s1600/sabua7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaIbf27_27MWuNhIAX3l601G6Y5zAheRxhk8fPIc-CwBaFygoLBXIbdhD6l1MS9axuhi2ekM0TK8sLZ3UqxB981a-4WgvIrAaeuIFcfDpAg-wX_7RgII8zUYkJLTUksg52-COS6wvSbY/s320/sabua7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504517772084537746" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rameses</span></i></b></st1:placename><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> beloved of Amun in the field of Amun</span></i></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to give it its full title,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was used as a quay or resting place for boats during their descent of the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nile</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">River</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The local people were inspired by the stone sculptures of sphinxes that lined the entrance to the temple and called the place 'Wadi es-Sebua' or the Valley of the Lions. </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is wonderful to visit this temple in the cool of the early hours of the morning just as the sun is rising. The early golden rays shine on the large third pylon and illuminate the avenue of sphinxes. Regrettably the first and second pylons which were built from inferior </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nile</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> mud-bricks are no more </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and only the stone gate passageway through them has survived.</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> The six sphinxes in the first court have human heads, but the four in the second court closest to the temple have falcon heads, the only example of this type of sphinx in </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The statue of Rameses at the entrance to the third court features his daughter Bint-Anath (possibly the daughter of one of Rameses’ Hittite wives). The </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> is dedicated to Amun-Ra and Ra-Harakhte and to the deified Rameses himself. The third court has ten Osiride (engaged) pillars in two colonnades. A ramp leads to the innermost part of the temple, which is cut from the rock. It features a hypostyle hall with 12 pillars. Offering rooms are on either side of the sanctuary. Rameses is shown making offerings to Amun, Ra-Harakhte, Ptah, Horus, Atum, Thoth, Maat, Hathor and Mut.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIbyj9esiKUxc6eFfYZDhu2mD3LOW1uounvOeaiicCOMvZnVpynnGTzaMGVGM57QWSV9KLicLihuDPQt9oE1DfMdVq_ZDf22uHDXKdc0xzLwpEnW2m8GsIJrfgonTi_9NRqj2reNAZv4/s1600/Rameses+sphinx.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIbyj9esiKUxc6eFfYZDhu2mD3LOW1uounvOeaiicCOMvZnVpynnGTzaMGVGM57QWSV9KLicLihuDPQt9oE1DfMdVq_ZDf22uHDXKdc0xzLwpEnW2m8GsIJrfgonTi_9NRqj2reNAZv4/s320/Rameses+sphinx.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504517117109138402" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color:blue;"></span></span></b></p><b><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the 5th century AD, the temple was converted into a Christian church. Some temple reliefs were covered with a layer of plaster on which religious scenes were painted. The plaster layer helped to preserve the original reliefs; the best examples being scenes depicting Rameses adoring the sacred boats of Amun-Ra and Ra-Harakhte. There is also an interesting scene in the central niche of the temple where two statues of Amun and Ra-Harakhte were hacked away by later Christian worshippers and replaced by an image of St. Peter. When the plaster coating was removed from the carved reliefs, it revealed an image of Rameses II offering flowers to St Peter instead of Amun-Ra.</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#272727;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dakka</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center; mso-line-height-alt:0pt"><b><span style="color:blue;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></st1:placename></st1:place></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The tourist walks along a well-constructed causeway to the</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dakka</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. It is an easy walk, but with a bit of a rock climb at the end. The temple was originally sited about 100kms south of Aswan High Dam, but was relocated to el-Sebua to save it from the rising waters of </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lake</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nasser</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today, the temple sits dramatically on a small bluff overlooking </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lake</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nasser</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. This is the only Nubian temple with a façade that faces to the north and is oriented north-south to parallel the course of the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/magazine/mag05012001/magf4a.htm"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nile</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. The pylon of the temple is now separated from the remainder of the temple due to the missing enclosure walls of the open court. Above the entrance in the pylon, a solar disk with a uraeus extends its wings. On the southern side of the temple, a small entrance leads into the interior of the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> huge </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.touregypt.net/Pylon.htm"><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:none windowtext 0cm; padding:0cm;text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">pylon</span></span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and to a stairway that communicates with several internal rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ZW5sEaMogJO86hNIiZHpOiNqPdix3WV0ClvJnyhCXCfOWUoEttywSKCRYTicvT72RLtAHLOJP-Q-fy7Q5FOWnjvCGiFoCnYWa1xjSRfuAOHR5i7HUAjFwMt71_2VTWpdKfnNyTkx5A/s1600/Dakka+Temple.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ZW5sEaMogJO86hNIiZHpOiNqPdix3WV0ClvJnyhCXCfOWUoEttywSKCRYTicvT72RLtAHLOJP-Q-fy7Q5FOWnjvCGiFoCnYWa1xjSRfuAOHR5i7HUAjFwMt71_2VTWpdKfnNyTkx5A/s320/Dakka+Temple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504516440689193666" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dakka</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was dedicated to the god “Thoth of the Sycamore Tree”, the god of wisdom and of scribes. Thoth was held to have two aspects and was depicted either as a Sacred Ibis or as a Baboon; both were considered to be very wise animals. The temple is a relatively recent structure dated to 200 AD or thereabouts. It was not finished because of the onset of Christianity. The capitals of the columns were not carved to completion. A niche that originally held a statue (possibly of Thoth) is over-painted with a picture of St. Peter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;mso-line-height-alt: 0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dakka is intimately connected with the ancient Egyptian myth of the destruction of mankind. As the sun god Ra grew old and feeble he began to fear the power of the Nubians. He sent his daughter Sekhmet the lion-headed goddess to deal with the problem. Sekhmet indulged in an orgy of death and destruction, devouring flesh and drinking blood. This horrified Ra. He sent his trusted god Thoth in his aspect of a baboon to entice Sekhmet back from </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nubia</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Thoth arranged for copious quantities of red coloured wheat beer to pacify her. (Some versions of the myth say red wine). He promised Sekhmet that she would be worshipped along the way back to her home in </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Heliopolis</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> and he built temples along her return route. Dakka was one of the temples.</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CUm-bmZvcGNtZJ2bsmscRuNsf8X4kLBxkmaitYO-97HrCnC-nstE4DDeIyfETQp9oL6dVcHfr2Dg6xkI4lAr8nUeREBp4FIOIBeE1RzeYuRnA1YKT2ntq-hsC7XxS8dIF7kcWNYuZ6c/s1600/Thoth+%26+Sekhmet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_CUm-bmZvcGNtZJ2bsmscRuNsf8X4kLBxkmaitYO-97HrCnC-nstE4DDeIyfETQp9oL6dVcHfr2Dg6xkI4lAr8nUeREBp4FIOIBeE1RzeYuRnA1YKT2ntq-hsC7XxS8dIF7kcWNYuZ6c/s320/Thoth+%26+Sekhmet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504515879948327490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dakka is unique among temples in that it has an entrance facing south to receive Sekhmet and an exit facing north to make sure she proceeds on her way home.</span></span><span style="font-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The story of Sekhmet is supported by the carvings in the temple that show the baboon, sent to entice Sekhmet home and later show him lying exhausted and resting under a tree!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzheVM_JbVSfJUsZ_tm_MxT0Map-_6eHYK67UIvUnKq1pqkZ_07gjpcUu-DZc23hBD96EjXI_IEqwn493oOawHB90W7ecDPqzUkMvmX5pxlUXzOLgYCnThcchYO2gQWkIfBMQMBk1Fh60/s1600/Dakka+%26+Maharraka.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzheVM_JbVSfJUsZ_tm_MxT0Map-_6eHYK67UIvUnKq1pqkZ_07gjpcUu-DZc23hBD96EjXI_IEqwn493oOawHB90W7ecDPqzUkMvmX5pxlUXzOLgYCnThcchYO2gQWkIfBMQMBk1Fh60/s400/Dakka+%26+Maharraka.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504515448877469890" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maharakka</span></st1:placename></st1:place></span></b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt; margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="color:blue;"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></st1:placename></st1:place></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <span style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is the third temple in the Wadi es-Sebua area and the tourist walks downhill from Dakka to the temple. It is a modest building and is unremarkable from the outside.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Inside it is decorated with bas-relief carvings. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEtLCH_duIG6FSAmmvegsAEC3M_j6W_l0pvS7jGNWcPIiJcaOEHZ-d8iYhEnHk3naPw2dp7J1lZVXgXNhYCcyjFWj2O-U2ikcilJwXPuDHFes03VXHMfIKq8dL-MzaOJEijNktE2MgYU/s1600/Maharraka+Temple.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEtLCH_duIG6FSAmmvegsAEC3M_j6W_l0pvS7jGNWcPIiJcaOEHZ-d8iYhEnHk3naPw2dp7J1lZVXgXNhYCcyjFWj2O-U2ikcilJwXPuDHFes03VXHMfIKq8dL-MzaOJEijNktE2MgYU/s320/Maharraka+Temple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504514459542517314" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:81.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A shoulder high wall is built between the columns on one side.</span><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The temple is dedicated to</span></span><b><span style="color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the god Serapis, a hybrid of Osiris, Apis and Zeus. </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Roman-built Egyptian temple cannot be securely attributed to any Roman emperor's reign since it was never fully completed nor inscribed. However, since it is known that temple building declined in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nubia</span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> after the rule of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus" title="Augustus"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline: nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Augustus</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maharraka</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> might be datable to his reign. The only part of the structure that was finished is a court surrounded on three sides by columns. The temple sanctuary was never actually built and in addition the temple lacks a formal </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pylon_(architecture)" title="Pylon (architecture)"><span style="text-decoration:none; text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">pylon</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqEX5ftHln_3YPit-wJV183ZDPc5ixX1OTFibqVB6fk6wh_rPCxg1CNMqs-JshBuFmGbdfXDvYzeChFdRZpPcFyur0cKU9YjvYr5NF4M4BxW2Chj9szPQAFiyMJdWXuXWLnoVSNa6FEk/s1600/maharraka12.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqEX5ftHln_3YPit-wJV183ZDPc5ixX1OTFibqVB6fk6wh_rPCxg1CNMqs-JshBuFmGbdfXDvYzeChFdRZpPcFyur0cKU9YjvYr5NF4M4BxW2Chj9szPQAFiyMJdWXuXWLnoVSNa6FEk/s320/maharraka12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504513734875302178" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Maharraka</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> however features an architectural curiosity at a corner of the court where a winding spiral stone staircase leads to its roof. This is the only Egyptian temple in </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nubia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> with a spiral staircase.</span></div><div style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Since its former location was threatened by flooding from the </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nile</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, this small temple was dismantled in 1961 by the Egyptian Antiquities Service. It was subsequently rebuilt along with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Dakka" title="Temple of Dakka"><span style="text-decoration:none; text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Temple of Dakka</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in 1966 at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Wadi_es-Sebua" title="New Wadi es-Sebua"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">New Wadi es-Sebua</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> site.</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"> </span></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-40362229555052001262010-08-04T01:58:00.000-07:002010-08-04T02:48:10.752-07:00<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><p align="center" style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:45.0pt;text-align:center;text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:blue">THE BOOK OF THE DEAD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:45.0pt;text-align:center;text-indent:9.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:blue">Comments by Anthony Holmes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Book of the Dead</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">is the common name for the ancient Egyptian funerary texts more correctly known as “The Spells of Coming Forth by Day”</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Book of the Dead was not a single document. It was a compilation of spells, hymns and illustrations. </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">By teaching passwords, giving clues, and revealing routes, </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the Book of the Dead </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">enabled the deceased’s spirit to overcome obstacles in the underworld. The Pyramid texts of the </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Old Kingdom</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (2,600BC) were the earliest recorded way of providing this instruction to the dead. The “hymns” or “utterances” were carved into the walls of pyramid chambers.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i-kZl3Xw6nwohaHRMlH8weheHGb49QvsUZIilDA_-LwuiRSfwkNKdGMHaotHk2_pKHB7I2xioAE-XBZAWrBVLjRrnnc3mCCdg9ZeHAifLIFeDjuw0ybTlFI8wuplBuEeEy0NCu6lpoA/s1600/Wns23-25SarcNorth1R.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4i-kZl3Xw6nwohaHRMlH8weheHGb49QvsUZIilDA_-LwuiRSfwkNKdGMHaotHk2_pKHB7I2xioAE-XBZAWrBVLjRrnnc3mCCdg9ZeHAifLIFeDjuw0ybTlFI8wuplBuEeEy0NCu6lpoA/s320/Wns23-25SarcNorth1R.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501487294670979026" /></a><br /><div><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Later similar information was carved inside the coffins of the Middle Kingdom (2,000BC). By the time of the </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">New Kingdom</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (1600 BC), the Book of the Dead had developed further. It was written on a papyrus scroll and interred with the mummy.</span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Most people desired to have a Book of the Dead interred with them. We are fortunate to have several examples that have survived to modern times. Each papyrus was hand written in hieroglyphs and illustrated by the scribes. The longer and more decorative the version, the more it would “cost” in terms of offerings of goods and time to the temple. </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If the prospective owner of a Book was wealthy and his death not untimely, he might commission a scribe to write a text based on his personal choice of spells and chapters.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNadJkcNSo6rL128Z_JWBE6chF-oleqOfpUMizgOh2yZbcEKMUWRepZ2zY5mf2UUMz3w7jiml3lFN5usVmEHX2DV0R4AjaZaM3KHNA2ELnR5K9kXR6GOTxGJkZpjIK1IH-0o-14231iYk/s1600/600px-BD_Hunefer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNadJkcNSo6rL128Z_JWBE6chF-oleqOfpUMizgOh2yZbcEKMUWRepZ2zY5mf2UUMz3w7jiml3lFN5usVmEHX2DV0R4AjaZaM3KHNA2ELnR5K9kXR6GOTxGJkZpjIK1IH-0o-14231iYk/s400/600px-BD_Hunefer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501486888616730706" /></a><div><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">T</span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">he papyrus scroll compiled for the </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Royal Scribe of the Divine Offerings</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> who name was Ani was originally 78ft (23.8m) long, separated into 37 sheets. The scroll is now in The British Museum. We will examine this Book in more detail later.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">L</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ess wealthy clients would have to make do with a ready made text, turned out in funerary workshops, with spaces being left for the name of the deceased to be inserted later.</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:9.0pt"><span class="apple-converted-space"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">New Kingdom</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> spells were</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><strong><span style="font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight: boldcolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">illustrated with pictures</span></span></strong><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> In many manuscripts the vignettes constitute a row of pictures, with texts placed beneath them. The texts are divided into individual spells or chapters, about two hundred in total, though no single</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> papyrus so far discovered </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">contains them all.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egyptian religion was based on the worship of up to 2000 gods and goddesses.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> The two chief gods were </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amun-Ra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Amun</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> the “king of gods” and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> the “sun god” were combined into a single deity. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was the “god of the netherworld” who ultimately decided on the fate of the deceased’s spirit. The dead were given the title “Osiris” to indicate their deceased status.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Extracts below are taken from “The Egyptian Book of the Dead” [The Papyrus of Ani – Royal Scribe of the Divine Offerings] translated by Dr Raymond O. Faulkner (printed in 1994) with illustrations based on the facsimile volume produced in 1890 under the supervision of P. le Page Renouf and E.A.Wallis Budge. Printed by The </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">American</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">University</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cairo</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Press. A complete translation of Ani’s Book of the Dead by E.A.Wallis Budge may be found at </span><a href="http://bit.ly/aMixqO"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://bit.ly/aMixqO</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, but Dr Faulkner’s more recent translation is considered by many to be far superior to that of Wallis Budge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What did Ani’s spirit expect to find and what did he have to do as he stepped through the False Door of his tomb into the world of the dead?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The spirit’s first activity was to recite a hymn of praise to the Sun-god </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, often depicted as being raised above the horizon by the scarab beetle god called </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kheper</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. The hymn commences with the words </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Hail to you, you having come as Kheper, even Kheper who is the creator of the gods,”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and continues with fulsome praise of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in all its forms. Ani then requests to be permitted to journey with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> on the Night-bark (through the underworld) and on the Day-bark (across the sky). </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“May he grant that I see the sun-disk and behold the moon unceasingly every day.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> The hymn ends with the words </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“may I be received into the presence of Osiris in the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Land</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Vindication</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. For the Ka of Ani.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkczIgHPlob4X8gWrXTMAJ8_Oa6ebqBSBZh9lGJNR_euMSi8qUvCS0vmZOpdCmF4Uh1WUjEl2tFZEu-Bz85cpy4IeuentZ5FCOLkrZWesEcuy92DpJ01ABnluRbG4G2qsq7TLROYWtczg/s1600/Ani+-Hymn+to+Osiris.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkczIgHPlob4X8gWrXTMAJ8_Oa6ebqBSBZh9lGJNR_euMSi8qUvCS0vmZOpdCmF4Uh1WUjEl2tFZEu-Bz85cpy4IeuentZ5FCOLkrZWesEcuy92DpJ01ABnluRbG4G2qsq7TLROYWtczg/s320/Ani+-Hymn+to+Osiris.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501485059913395570" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The second hymn is to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. The god of the dead is lauded with titles such as </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Great God”, “King of Eternity” </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> “Lord of Everlasting”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and ends with the plea for the pleasures of the afterlife, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“May there be given to me bread from House of Cool Water and a table of offerings from Heliopolis, my toes being firm-planted in the Field of Reeds. May the barley and emmer which are in it belong to the Ka of the Osiris Ani.”</span></i></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ahm8a0smFn-7muBN44OUpo3m5pDaxqV3XxMfiPQNHhwTC0BTEEYATzLYVkKI_MOOcJR0QHJDEC196XYQAGopI1IKzzsQB9c-8U3_3Sl14SWhibXhDRlQk7c5rsTTQv8riDRXt6LBAA/s1600/Ani+-+Confesion.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ahm8a0smFn-7muBN44OUpo3m5pDaxqV3XxMfiPQNHhwTC0BTEEYATzLYVkKI_MOOcJR0QHJDEC196XYQAGopI1IKzzsQB9c-8U3_3Sl14SWhibXhDRlQk7c5rsTTQv8riDRXt6LBAA/s320/Ani+-+Confesion.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501483538895436194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An important aspect of the final judgement of the spirit of the dead is the ‘declaration of innocence’ . In a form of “negative confession”, the spirit recites a list of all the transgressions he has </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">not</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> made. He calls on the names of each of the 42 assessor gods (one for each nome or province of the ancient land). The declaration states such things as:-</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Wide-strider who came forth from </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Heliopolis</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, I have done no wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Fire-embracer who came forth from Kheraha, I have not robbed...<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Swallower-of-Shades who came forth from Kernet, I have not slain people...<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O He-who-sees-what-he-has-brought who came from the house of Min, I have not (wrongly) copulated…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And so forth. Some of the sins do not seem particularly serious to our eyes 3,500 years later, but they must have had relevance in their day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Ihy who came forth from the Primordial Waters, my voice was not loud…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Possessor of Faces who came forth from Nedjefet, I have not been impatient…</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:black;"></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><span style="Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O Upraised of Head who came forth from the shrine, I have not stolen the Khenef-cakes from the Blessed.”</span></span></i></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:73.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:45.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"></span></i></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15px;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">”</i></span>The most important chapter occurs early in Ani’s Book. Straight after the hymns of praise comes a Chapter known as the ‘Chapter for not letting Ani’s heart create opposition against him in the God’s Domain.’ This chapter contains “The weighing scene” and “The introduction of Ani to <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">”. Ani’s heart is placed on one pan of the balance and a feather (the symbol of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ma’at</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> the goddess of justice and order) is placed on the other. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Anubis</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the canine god of embalming controls the balance while </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thoth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the god of wisdom stands by to record the outcome. A horrible beast called </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ammit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> waits hopefully, because if the heart fails the test it is thrown to the beast to consume. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Geb</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> the earth god, his daughters </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Isis</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nephthys</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and other gods are present. Ani pleads that his own heart will not let him down </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Oh my heart I had from my mother!....do not make my name stink to (the) Entourage who make men. Do not tell lies about me in the presence of the god,”</span></i></p><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XCVGsfzmPNCJK7v4kSrwgStzVBsspVjXsOOb4tKTGlJSEoFwhEz_c7FEiCTEVsWbanbgVW_0-9Lv7zQmCe_XbD5ViG0lK-VRD8ThD6Gz4EqKEORBHWJSiQAodBw986aZcK295DoCKy8/s1600/600px-Bookdead.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XCVGsfzmPNCJK7v4kSrwgStzVBsspVjXsOOb4tKTGlJSEoFwhEz_c7FEiCTEVsWbanbgVW_0-9Lv7zQmCe_XbD5ViG0lK-VRD8ThD6Gz4EqKEORBHWJSiQAodBw986aZcK295DoCKy8/s320/600px-Bookdead.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501482988414474322" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The judge of truth, the god </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Thoth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, declares his findings to the Great Ennead. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thoth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“I have judged the heart of the deceased, and his soul stands as witness for him. His deeds are righteous in the great balance, and no sin has been found in him...” </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The assembly of gods of the Great Ennead reply to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thoth</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“This utterance of yours is true. The vindicated Osiris Ani is straightforward, he has no sin…let there be given to him the offerings which are issued in the presence of Osiris and may a grant of land be established in the Field of Offerings as for the followers of Horus.” </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At this point Ani’s heart has passed the test of the balance and he is led by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Horus</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> into the presence of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> who is shown on his throne with his sisters </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Isis</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nephthys</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and with the four sons of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Horus</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> standing on a lotus flower. Ani the Scribe is shown sitting before the throne of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kgP_2Xkyc2tXhlwdEOgJduLXjg7C690H5V4K9laQz8hDQleypBVPio-v_HqJwZphubRJAKKv5SsAuoZc8xdg9T2T3C-U-zpt4DotIdNd0RmicqQgsILCgVmfzeAQU7lS3dn7Ju5qV8k/s1600/Ani+-+Osiris.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kgP_2Xkyc2tXhlwdEOgJduLXjg7C690H5V4K9laQz8hDQleypBVPio-v_HqJwZphubRJAKKv5SsAuoZc8xdg9T2T3C-U-zpt4DotIdNd0RmicqQgsILCgVmfzeAQU7lS3dn7Ju5qV8k/s320/Ani+-+Osiris.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501477394321406946" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:73.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Ani says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“Here am I in your presence, O Lord of the West. There is no wrong doing in my body, I have not wittingly told lies; there has been no second fault. Grant that I may be like the favoured ones who are in your suite, O Osiris, one greatly favoured by the good god, one loved of the Lord of the Two Lands </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(the Pharaoh)</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, Ani, vindicated before Osiris.”</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:73.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With the blessing of Osiris, the Royal Scribe Ani passes into the Field of Reeds to enjoy eternity in the afterlife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:73.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> This short article cannot hope to present a full appreciation of the beauty and depth of content of the Book of the Dead. My recommendation for further study would be to obtain a copy of Dr. Faulkner’s translation of the Papyrus of Ani and, if possible, to visit the special exhibition of The Book of the Dead in the British Museum to be held from 4 November 2010 to 6 March 2011. This short article cannot hope to present a full appreciation of the beauty and depth of content of the Book of the Dead. My recommendation for further study would be to obtain a copy of Dr. Faulkner’s translation of the Papyrus of Ani and, if possible, to visit the special exhibition of The Book of the Dead in the British Museum to be held from 4 November 2010 to 6 March 2011.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:73.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:73.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 9.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-60561300572777126242010-07-24T07:51:00.000-07:002010-07-24T08:04:09.550-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:21.0pt;color:blue">FALSE DOORS IN TOMBS AND <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">TEMPLES</st1:place></st1:city><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></b></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXE1VKx6_uXwMuCNxnC2n8bcZ1c0I-Fox81G-BIxHjY75qUlQY992GJEK1DumFTbHSXLmKOUzOOa2DLKCvlbFzfoxnGYdYdAcpC0f9H6GdFRSOrMHoaTl6gJLPnU4cXGfk3uIqBOtsw4/s1600/False+door+article+heading.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXE1VKx6_uXwMuCNxnC2n8bcZ1c0I-Fox81G-BIxHjY75qUlQY992GJEK1DumFTbHSXLmKOUzOOa2DLKCvlbFzfoxnGYdYdAcpC0f9H6GdFRSOrMHoaTl6gJLPnU4cXGfk3uIqBOtsw4/s400/False+door+article+heading.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497487385920007394" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The ‘Spirit Door’ is the threshold between the mortal world and the eternal space where the spirits of those who have died go to enjoy the pleasures of their afterlife. Because it was not a real door, archaeologists have chosen to call this spiritual access a “False Door”, a rather unfortunate choice of name that tends to demean its important role.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdH_vPIGLPfN1NIOWDSFyVeR380Y6cqzReCjQQlqoVdeCFXvIA9d62Ls4tc0vIFK_PiF6ogdM-u08qhLMjJHCXWbseMBFCtIIpMZ5s6tdx4EX_xoGKlHgsRvfabBrj07_ZBAGQowyIeM/s1600/falsedoorcolour.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 117px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdH_vPIGLPfN1NIOWDSFyVeR380Y6cqzReCjQQlqoVdeCFXvIA9d62Ls4tc0vIFK_PiF6ogdM-u08qhLMjJHCXWbseMBFCtIIpMZ5s6tdx4EX_xoGKlHgsRvfabBrj07_ZBAGQowyIeM/s200/falsedoorcolour.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497487030229084994" /></a><div><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In ancient </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> it was believed that a person was formed from clay on the wheel of Khnum the divine potter. At the same time Khnum also fashioned a duplicate of the person. The duplicate or copy was indistinguishable from the person except that it was contained within the person’s body and it was immortal. When a person died and was mummified, this spiritual copy called the person’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ka</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> was released in ceremony called “the opening of the mouth”. The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ka</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> drew its energy from the memories of mortals and it was invigorated each time the deceased’s name was spoken with love or reverence.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ks7_ZY4IIBq2oXTqjmULes3LN1KxIFco3JCu2wU4zlVMgH0kD4P6f1lEL6_reZiaAqYGZ8YAQlrwY_obXtFGwqXq99v_7c5mWaRaa-jx_eeX77A5L_MAG8IUdQfvkLxxVw_LlHdoLqQ/s1600/falsedoor.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 119px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ks7_ZY4IIBq2oXTqjmULes3LN1KxIFco3JCu2wU4zlVMgH0kD4P6f1lEL6_reZiaAqYGZ8YAQlrwY_obXtFGwqXq99v_7c5mWaRaa-jx_eeX77A5L_MAG8IUdQfvkLxxVw_LlHdoLqQ/s200/falsedoor.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497486726630948146" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">Ancient Egyptians understood the need to demarcate the supernatural access through which the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i> could pass between the worlds of the living and the dead. A newly released <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i>, unfamiliar with the ways of eternity, would be directed by spells on the walls to the spirit door. The door frame was often decorated with portraits of the deceased mortal. It was inscribed with the deceased name and the offices held and honours bestowed on the dead individual. In some instances a figure of the deceased was erected in the doorway as if emerging from the spirit world. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Ka</i> passing through the spirit door was able to read the achievements of which it should be proud; statements that could be made to the assessor gods to justify its position in the afterlife.</p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidba5cED_mkHLEXFk-4r4hjbP9Ghkwu6haI3GASBttaezS6Io6nxp-UDtfoAXBrTSTDJl-455RlXFQ8zJ6jxP0GkoYQWU30WoJhTB2yhueC2zG9GNeHbE55Dn7Rxe8Soje4OELmP0PTIY/s1600/falsedoor5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidba5cED_mkHLEXFk-4r4hjbP9Ghkwu6haI3GASBttaezS6Io6nxp-UDtfoAXBrTSTDJl-455RlXFQ8zJ6jxP0GkoYQWU30WoJhTB2yhueC2zG9GNeHbE55Dn7Rxe8Soje4OELmP0PTIY/s200/falsedoor5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497486245982902834" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">The access doors to the world of gods and spirits were usually made of stone. The ideal stone would have been granite from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Aswan</st1:place></st1:city>, the stone used to line the King’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid, but this stone was difficult to work and not easily obtained. Many doors were made of limestone painted to look like granite. Occasionally false doors were made from wood such as the one on the left.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssRXuWWBMFESzENU6ChFtG1N_wNl8GkX6n3V6jmtpfbyKIzh2J8_6zc95orooJcGeqpTbmwG8kZSmcb-gWpSTw5ANetGBe8cQDpjQKfaW-Jx_cwwVAFAofX9V2WZl3sf0GzU9j9NFIAM/s1600/false+door+temple+wall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssRXuWWBMFESzENU6ChFtG1N_wNl8GkX6n3V6jmtpfbyKIzh2J8_6zc95orooJcGeqpTbmwG8kZSmcb-gWpSTw5ANetGBe8cQDpjQKfaW-Jx_cwwVAFAofX9V2WZl3sf0GzU9j9NFIAM/s200/false+door+temple+wall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497485864137365074" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">Spirit doors were not confined to the inside of tombs, but could also be found on the exterior of the walls of some temples where they represented a channel of communication between the god of the temple and the mortal world. A spirit door might also be associated with “the hearing ear” chapel of a temple. The god to whom the temple was dedicated resided in the temple and the general public did not have access to the interior of the temple. The spirit door was on the outside wall of the temple so that a plea or prayer meant for “the hearing ear” of the divinity would be heard by the god within the temple. Offering tables or slabs were placed at the spirit door for the petitioner to leave offerings for the god who could use the spirit door to access and partake of the offerings. Naturally it was the priests who benefitted from this arrangement.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">What did the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i> expect to find when it went through the spirit door? The first task for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>was to take the heart (called the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ib</i>) of the deceased to the home of the gods to be weighed in the balance against a feather. The feather was the symbol of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ma’at,</i> the goddess of justice and order. If the heart was filled with the lightness of good deeds and if the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i> proclaimed its innocence of any evil acts, the life of the deceased was judged by the assessor gods to have been justified and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>was recommended to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Osiris,</i> the god of the dead for a place in eternity. Thereafter the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka </i>would return to the tomb and whenever it wished to go through the spirit door it would find fields of plenty, a feast-laden table and a life of pleasure, meeting those who had gone before while awaiting the arrival of those yet to die. Heaven to the ancient Egyptians was a perfect and eternal version of their life on earth in the land of their birth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:64.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">The spirit door or false door was a concept that enabled the spirits to access their vision of a perfect afterlife. Without this gate to the spirit world, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ka</i> might forever be denied the pleasures of eternity.</p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-80142959152502187372010-07-11T04:17:00.000-07:002010-07-11T04:33:09.659-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oatDhvN6eNKatNPbv90aQUv42cGq57S1vYlw7woWbgkqLr_CvEJGf4U6CdvVs5jZ-DOz7EDGctIVCb4Arw3Af_51MVZQGg7yaG394V4q9AkRT59pUk8GWQNuHm8b3QwUg_sKWLvdfoQ/s1600/six+icons.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 87px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oatDhvN6eNKatNPbv90aQUv42cGq57S1vYlw7woWbgkqLr_CvEJGf4U6CdvVs5jZ-DOz7EDGctIVCb4Arw3Af_51MVZQGg7yaG394V4q9AkRT59pUk8GWQNuHm8b3QwUg_sKWLvdfoQ/s320/six+icons.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492609341572736530" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-right: 100.3pt; text-indent: 27pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">SIX ICONS FOR REPATRIATION</span></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;color:maroon;"><br /></span></b></em></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><em><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;color:maroon;">Dr Zahi Hawass</span></b></em><em><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;color:maroon;">, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has made it his mission to repatriate as many ancient Egyptian artifacts as possible. He has already achieved remarkable results. His stated ambition is to recover </span></em><strong><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;color:maroon;">six major icons</span></i></strong><em><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;color:maroon;"> of ancient <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> that currently reside in foreign museums. They are, in no particular order; the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">bust of Nefertiti</b> in Berlin’s Neues Museum, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Zodiac</b> from Dendara Temple in the Louvre Museum; the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Rosetta Stone</b> in The British Museum; the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">statue of Rameses II</b> in Turin; the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">bust of the vizier Ankhaf</b> in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">statue of Hemiunu</b> in the Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim, Germany. In a short series of articles we will describe each item and where possible, determine its provenance.<o:p></o:p></span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">The first three items on the list, the Bust of Nefertiti, the Zodiac from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dendera</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> and the Rosetta Stone are the subjects of my previous articles. The final three items on the list of icons for repatriation to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> are a statue of a young Rameses II; the painted limestone bust of the vizier Prince Ankh-Haf and the statue of the vizier-architect Hemiunu.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE STATUE OF RAMESES II</span></b></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ6izSRVl3UHvL8Q7B2NIs526Eg0UCpv6YpMwBzIGR833Uj7JbNXpVKkEw7yaDLydjeIkbt1j59TTjvEsrf7DHLZoNmU0c-kDF69Pzbg7RDz-w30xPr4CNcQ3l2pUB1zC0bvw4MyTKH0/s1600/2866334984_f89a169ea9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ6izSRVl3UHvL8Q7B2NIs526Eg0UCpv6YpMwBzIGR833Uj7JbNXpVKkEw7yaDLydjeIkbt1j59TTjvEsrf7DHLZoNmU0c-kDF69Pzbg7RDz-w30xPr4CNcQ3l2pUB1zC0bvw4MyTKH0/s200/2866334984_f89a169ea9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492607500898618562" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt">The longest reigning monarch of all time, Usermaatra Setepenre Rameses, known to us as Rameses the Great was the third ruler of the 19<sup>th</sup> Dynasty. He came to the throne at the age of 18 and ruled <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> for 67 years.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Rameses, the son of Seti I was crowned in 1279BC. During his long life, Rameses’ likeness was captured in stone and pigment more that any other pharaoh. Statues, carvings and paintings have been discovered in <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> from the northern-most part of the Nile delta to the southern border at <st1:place st="on">Abu Simbel</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">The seated statue in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Turin</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> depicts a very young Rameses, probably at the time of or shortly after his coronation around 1250BC. <span class="apple-style-span">Rameses had many wives, the primary royal wife being the beautiful Nefertari. Ramses died at the age of 85, an extremely old age when the average life expectancy was around 30 to 35 years. He had over 100 sons and one presumes because it was not recorded, just as many daughters. The seated statue of Rameses is a portrait of the young King in which grace and grandeur are intermixed. </span>The statue is remarkably well preserved, although broken in antiquity it has been reassembled. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Rameses the Great was well known for his military prowess and his exploits at <span class="apple-style-span">the battle of Kadesh are displayed in the <st1:city st="on">Temple</st1:city> at <st1:place st="on">Abu Simbel</st1:place>. According to the Egyptian version of the battle, Rameses was facing the army of Muwattali, King of the Hittites and found himself surrounded by 2500 Hittite Charioteers with only his personal bodyguard to help him. As the enemy closed in around him, Pharaoh Rameses leaped into his chariot, tied the reigns around his waist to leave his hands free, sent forth a great cry for help to the state god Amun and charged six times against the Hittites, finally breaking through and winning the battle. According to the Hittite version, Rameses barely escaped with his life and the battle was inconclusive, but sufficiently costly for the Egyptians that they returned to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> and sued for peace with the Hittites, a peace treaty that was duly recorded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Despite the large number of existing statues of Rameses II in <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>, Dr Hawass would like this one to be repatriated from the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Turin</st1:placename></st1:place>. There appears to be no reason to justify his demand other than a desire for <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> to repossess this beautiful work of art.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>THE LIMESTONE BUST OF ANKH-HAF</b></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhz3hvF9yOQfvF85tVGglgcrQAkS_ZokstvTpzNABNtcRYW7YgCwKApfkhAaMEK-afl_6E1-U6nlVkEul5udvsLTelaSjbjPym05pvtp_w6PoWqrbyVS7NLqVe73oq1C55wPHmPKHxw/s1600/boston_03_2006+444+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJhz3hvF9yOQfvF85tVGglgcrQAkS_ZokstvTpzNABNtcRYW7YgCwKApfkhAaMEK-afl_6E1-U6nlVkEul5udvsLTelaSjbjPym05pvtp_w6PoWqrbyVS7NLqVe73oq1C55wPHmPKHxw/s200/boston_03_2006+444+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492607119473725234" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify">The painted limestone bust of Prince Ankh-Haf dates to the reign of Khafre, 2558-2532BC in the 4th Dynasty.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Ankh-Haf’s tomb was excavated by the Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition in 1927, and the bust was assigned to the MFA in the division of finds by the government of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">The bust is made of limestone covered with a thin layer of plaster, into which details have been moulded. The face is individualistic rather than the more common stylised form of the period. From inscriptions in his tomb, we know that Ankh-Haf was the son of King Sneferu, half-brother of King Khufu, and that he served Khafre as Vizier and Overseer of Works. In this last capacity, he may have overseen the building of the second pyramid at the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city> complex and also the carving of the sphinx.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Ankh-Haf is depicted as a mature man with a receding hairline. His eyes were originally painted white with brown pupils. He has a strong mouth over a probable short beard lost in antiquity. He was clearly a man of determination well used to giving orders and being obeyed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Ankh-Haf's mastaba was the largest in the great <st1:placename st="on">Eastern</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Cemetery</st1:placetype> at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city>. His bust faced the entrance to a small mud-brick chapel on the east side of the tomb.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="color:black;">In accordance with the terms of the Museum's contract with the Egyptian government, Ankh-Haf’s bust should have gone to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Cairo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>. It was awarded to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city> in 1927 by the Antiquities Service in gratitude for the Harvard-Boston Expedition's work to excavate and restore objects from the tomb of Queen Hetepheres. It appears that the Supreme Council of Antiquities in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> has no justifiable claim on this artifact.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:100.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE STATUE OF ARCHITECT HEMIUNU</span></b></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEcgQyal3Wh1n0CsaIpKgH91tMWErw3vzZyrHBlzYjvewoV1wYCyaU_6OIT9mG4nexuzRD9UuYjKxuPJlksxI8rNqrfSYHcL8mp4uAoTD8z-4TAPvIVVJMTTCLDIOVUFzGKFVhCQ2Epo/s1600/190px-Statue-of-Hemiun.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEcgQyal3Wh1n0CsaIpKgH91tMWErw3vzZyrHBlzYjvewoV1wYCyaU_6OIT9mG4nexuzRD9UuYjKxuPJlksxI8rNqrfSYHcL8mp4uAoTD8z-4TAPvIVVJMTTCLDIOVUFzGKFVhCQ2Epo/s320/190px-Statue-of-Hemiun.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492606501475483474" /></a><div><div><p class="paragraph" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:100.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:26.95pt">Hemiunu was a son of prince<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ancient-egypt.org/glossary/people/nefermaat_itet.html"><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:black;">Nefermaat</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span>and a grandson of king<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"> Sneferu</span></span> of the 4th Dynasty. There is no information about any wives of children of Hemiunu. He was a vizier during the reign of his uncle,<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"> Khufu</span></span>, and is credited for having been the architect of this king's pyramid at <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Giza</st1:city></st1:place>, known today as the Great Pyramid.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color:black;"> </span></span>Among the references to his titles are several priestly titles. Hemiuni was a priest for Bastet, Sekhmet, Mendes and Thoth, although it is possible that some of the priestly titles were honorific. Hemiunu is said to have lived until the 19th year of the reign of Khufu, which means that the Great Pyramid was either completed by then, or that it was completed by a different architect. He was buried in a mastaba (mortuary enclosure) at <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Giza</st1:place></st1:city>, near the royal pyramid. </p> <p class="paragraph" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:100.3pt;margin-bottom: 0cm;margin-left:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:26.95pt">The life-size statue was found in a niche of his mastaba. It depicts Hemiunu, seated on a block throne, his right hand decisively clenched, his left hand resting on his knee. His body is heavy with large breasts, perhaps an indication that Hemiunu was fat or a recognition that he was a wealthy individual. The statue's head has been restored around its eyes, which were originally likely to have been inlaid with crystals.<span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="normal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:100.3pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt; margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:27.0pt">Hemiunu’s statue was discovered in 1912 by the German/Austrian Expedition, inside the chapel of his mastaba in the western cemetery and is now exhibited in the Roemer and <st1:placename st="on">Pelizaeus</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Hildesheim</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>. Although it appears that the Egyptians have no real or moral claim on this ancient statue, it <span style="color:black;">may be loaned back from <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> to take part in the opening of the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Grand</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Egyptian</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> in at Giza 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-12515432869424096222010-06-29T03:12:00.000-07:002010-06-29T03:53:19.969-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></p><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Bust of Nefertiti</span></span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#800000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></em></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><em><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:#800000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has made it his mission to repatriate as many ancient Egyptian artefacts as possible. He has already achieved remarkable results. His stated ambition is to recover </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">six major icons</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of ancient </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> that currently reside in foreign museums. They are, in no particular order; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rosetta Stone</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in The British Museum; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bust of Nefertiti</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Berlin’s Neues Museum, the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Zodiac</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> from Dendara Temple in the Louvre Museum; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">bust of the vizier Ankhaf</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">statue of Hemiunu</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Hildesheim near Hannover; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">image of Rameses II</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in Turin. In a short series of articles we will describe each item and, where possible, determine its provenance.</span></span></span></em></span></div></b></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><b>The Bust of Nefertiti</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt">Perhaps the most readily recognized and certainly the most controversial item on Dr Hawass’s wish list is the 3,300 year old bust of Nefertiti, the primary royal wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. Exhibited in the <st1:placename st="on">Neues</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:state>, the bust depicts a beautiful woman in royal attire adopting a regal and somewhat haughty pose. The structure of the face is fine and the coloring is distinctly paler than that shown for other women from the area at that time. Nefertiti’s name means ‘The Beautiful One has Come’. Her name and her non-Egyptian features have led many to wonder whether Nefertiti came from another country. There is no proof at this time that she was born of other than Egyptian parents in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">The bust is an iconic work of art depicting a famous ancient Egyptian royal personage and that alone is sufficient reason for the Supreme Council of Antiquities in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> to want the item to be returned to its original home. The two pictures of Nefertiti’s bust show how the object might have looked before it was damaged and how it currently appears.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC0wJYA8JmnJJzNo4AzPOYKQ1TeTg8-bdQ8b83UElr0yA-E0gfLPsIDSTmxaARyBuXJpJb3heCk6Y-t0-b8T458TU2P0Iuvko8sGkLsWq1GFp6YrWV2Lia9HaYkhs9CPQUKjFmvVwLKQ/s1600/Nefertiti+sidebyside.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC0wJYA8JmnJJzNo4AzPOYKQ1TeTg8-bdQ8b83UElr0yA-E0gfLPsIDSTmxaARyBuXJpJb3heCk6Y-t0-b8T458TU2P0Iuvko8sGkLsWq1GFp6YrWV2Lia9HaYkhs9CPQUKjFmvVwLKQ/s320/Nefertiti+sidebyside.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488140056152898642" /></a><div><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The full story of Nefertiti’s bust; how it was found; how it became German property; the so-called “second face” of Nefertiti and the possibility that it might be a fake makes for fascinating reading.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The first question is: ‘Did </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Germany</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"> obtain the bust legitimately?’</span></span></span></u></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"></span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The bust was found on the site of the capital city established by Pharaoh Akhenaten called </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Akhetaten,</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> the ‘Horizon of the sun Disc’. Today the archaeological site is known as Tel Amarna. A German archaeological expedition of 1912 claimed to have found the bust in the ruins of the studio of a famous sculptor named Thutmose.</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Chief archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt was captured by its beauty, and it is suggested that he hatched a plan to remove the piece from </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></span></span><span style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Egyptian Antiquities Authority was responsible for dividing the spoils of excavations between the foreign archaeologists and </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, and to determine which should stay and which were permitted to leave.</span></span></span></span></p></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZp0izt33TjSTjMdOx6EcABOXhGvXv2LSeHALRd2jZobE8Eff50B_IRXkSt5UcrdwelXvr_wayZcDU-c-5kHEzpsenbvlrsJ1Jfz5RXq3DMBXvuym8IqYx2FxaU5NCtq0pbq0Eg7QU7g/s1600/Nefertiti-bust-first-photo-.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZp0izt33TjSTjMdOx6EcABOXhGvXv2LSeHALRd2jZobE8Eff50B_IRXkSt5UcrdwelXvr_wayZcDU-c-5kHEzpsenbvlrsJ1Jfz5RXq3DMBXvuym8IqYx2FxaU5NCtq0pbq0Eg7QU7g/s320/Nefertiti-bust-first-photo-.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488139382478004994" /></a><div><p style="margin-top:7.2pt;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:7.2pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Gustave Lefébvre, the inspector of Antiquities was responsible for dividing the finds from the Amarna region. Lefébvre was not an Egyptologist and he settled for a 50/50 division, with objects made of plaster going to the Germans. It seems that Borchardt hurried the negotiation and listed the bust of Nefertiti as that of ‘a painted<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-style:normal;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">plaster</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> bust </span>of a <em><span style="font-style: normal;mso-bidi-font-style:italic">princess’ of little value. He offered as proof</span></em> various cropped photographs of the bust to Lefébvre who apparently, without studying the dirty object in great detail, relinquished the bust to the Germans. It has been suggested that Borchardt applied the dirt and described the bust as “plaster” as a deliberate ruse to ensure the item was on the German “to go” list. In fact the bust, while it has a limestone core, has a stucco surface and it would have qualified as a “plaster” item.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:7.2pt;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:7.2pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt"><span style="color:black;">Borchardt, under no illusion as the beauty of the bust and elated with his success wrote the following entry in his diary: ‘Suddenly we had the most alive Egyptian artwork in our hands. You cannot describe it with words. You can only see it.’<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;">The bust of Nefertiti was exhibited in <st1:state st="on">Berlin</st1:state>'s <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Egyptian</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> in 1923. The delay of eleven years was not explained. Apparently it stood in Borchardt’s sponsor’s living room for ten years. It has remained in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> ever since. The Egyptian government has made several attempts to have the bust returned, but <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> has so far refused. Even Adolf Hitler, enamoured with the bust, announced that it would remain in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> forever. In 2007 a request for the bust to be loaned to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> was rejected on the grounds that the bust was to fragile to travel.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">The second question concerns the ‘second face’ of Nefertiti.</span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><span style="color:black;">In March 2009, researchers in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> announced that they had used computed tomography or CT to scan the bust of Nefertiti. The scan had revealed that the bust of Nefertiti has two faces. The team led by Dr. Alexander Huppertz, director of the Imaging Science Institute at <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Berlin</st1:place></st1:state>'s Charite hospital and medical school, discovered a detailed stone carving that differs slightly from the external stucco face. The findings, published in the monthly journal ‘Radiology’, are the first to show that the stone core of the statue is a highly detailed sculpture of the queen.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><span style="color:black;">It was previously believed that the limestone internal structure was merely a support for the stucco features. The stucco covering is only 2 to 3mm thick, which gives some credence to the claim that it is too delicate to travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRblKyv4wCbWADoQyFgz_pE3xYFhpCt3WQZYuLDw7qwiGsJtQ-dXR3hYfmyk_1d0-8a_Vc3HpKGb-aK74WpV76rMLayujk_yFzq9E3gCvceyii85WUrbTQ-dt9FSJbvQq_U-pn4PSa8Y/s1600/448F6B7B-B30E-0016-0A3F9BD677734FAA_3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRblKyv4wCbWADoQyFgz_pE3xYFhpCt3WQZYuLDw7qwiGsJtQ-dXR3hYfmyk_1d0-8a_Vc3HpKGb-aK74WpV76rMLayujk_yFzq9E3gCvceyii85WUrbTQ-dt9FSJbvQq_U-pn4PSa8Y/s320/448F6B7B-B30E-0016-0A3F9BD677734FAA_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488138585006905778" /></a><div><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><br /></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt">The differences between the faces are minor, but the external face eliminates some slight imperfections. Certain features have been ‘improved’ such as the creases at the corners of the mouth and a bump on the nose of the stone version. It appears that someone, possibly the Pharaoh or Nefertiti herself, may have ordered the adjustments between stone and stucco.</p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><span class="apple-style-span">Starting with the pictures from the CT scan, two Italian scholars -- Franco Crevatin, an ethnologist at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Trieste</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and Stefano Anselmo, an expert in the history of cosmetics -- produced a computer-generated image which they believe is closer to Queen Nefertiti's actual face than the one shown in the famous painted bust.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfgGusFkiIO_xkGr1JWAgD5qgTxLCUmBFdnuk32Us5E3DEsoM4We0vBzY8TflQtX1dAY8lSQo0pf9AWnH9SdFF_mlP8mYemNGRQeYrx0XUDg-L2giOzO0fhVODtjHdf26xbc6cVYiMOg/s1600/nefertiti2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 151px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfgGusFkiIO_xkGr1JWAgD5qgTxLCUmBFdnuk32Us5E3DEsoM4We0vBzY8TflQtX1dAY8lSQo0pf9AWnH9SdFF_mlP8mYemNGRQeYrx0XUDg-L2giOzO0fhVODtjHdf26xbc6cVYiMOg/s200/nefertiti2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488137168639672242" /></a><div><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:4.8pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:10.8pt"><span class="apple-style-span">The wider nostrils and the creases at the corner of the mouth have some justification, but the plump lips, rounded chin and the skin colour cannot be scientifically justified. In fact it appears that the “Africanisation” of the face is based more on imagination that science.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-bottom: 4.8pt; margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="apple-style-span"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The third question concerns the possibility that the bust is a “fake”</span><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt;line-height:12.6pt">An art historian and expert on ancient <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> claimed that the bust of Nefertiti could be a fake. Henri Stierlin, who has studied the subject for 25 years, believes it was made in 1912.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt;line-height:12.6pt">Stierlin believes the bust is a gypsum copy. "It seems increasingly improbable that the bust is an original," he said. He suggests it was made by an artist named Gerardt Marks on the orders of Ludwig Borchardt to test pigments used by the ancient Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt;line-height:12.6pt">A number of clues have led him to suspect the piece to be a fake including the missing left eye, which he says was an insult for an ancient Egyptian who believed the statue was the person.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt;line-height:12.6pt">He also said the style of cutting the shoulders straight was not used by the Egyptians and that Nefertiti’s facial features were accentuated similarly to the Art Nouveau style, which was popular in <st1:place st="on">Europe</st1:place> at the time.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt;line-height:12.6pt">The bust was made of stone and covered in plaster, neither of which can be dated, but the pigments appeared to be “really ancient,” he said.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt">Documents published earlier this year show that Borchardt did not supply a description, which is surprising for an exceptional work which was found intact. A team of French archaeologists working at the same dig never mentioned the find.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:#333333;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">Summary.<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">The legality of taking the bust out of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;">Although Borchardt may have devalued the bust in his description to Lefébvre, but the bust is essentially, on the surface at least, a plaster object. In accordance with the terms of the division of spoils applied by Lefébvre the Germans were “within the law” to take the bust with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">The claim that it is too delicate to transport:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;">The bust has endured through 3,300 years. The original discovery site was destroyed by time and pillage. The bust was found in 1912, handled, wrapped, crated, shipped to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> and moved several times since. It experienced two World Wars, has been subjected to several studies including a CT scan and yet it has survived. More probably the German authorities are using the fragile excuse because they believe they would have little chance of getting the bust back if it was loaned to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">The two faces:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;">The CT scan clearly shows the limestone details of the face of the same woman, a face with certain imperfections perhaps realistically reflecting her age. When Nefertiti moved to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Akhetaten </i>where the bust was found, she was already a mother of three daughters. What is not acceptable is the computer graphic reconstruction of her “real” face which, unlike forensic facial reconstruction techniques is based on imagination rather than science.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><u><span style="color:blue;">The claim that it is a fake:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;">In view of the recent CT revelation of the stone face beneath the plaster, it is unlikely that the charge of it being a fake can be sustained. The evidence is too flimsy. A suggestion that a plaster coating was applied to the stone bust to smuggle it out of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> is somewhat disingenuous. If Borchardt had wanted to disguise the find, surely the beautiful plaster and pigment workmanship was entirely unnecessary. He could have made a ‘cow’s head’ instead to hide the original limestone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;">The bust will remain the subject of intense scrutiny and challenge, but in the opinion of this writer it will remain legally and logically in the hands of the German Museum Keepers.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:8.0pt;color:blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left: 0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-indent:18.0pt;mso-line-height-alt: 10.8pt"><span style="color:blue;"><br /></span></p></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-9512539274507186092010-06-20T05:38:00.000-07:002010-06-20T05:57:45.740-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Six Icons for Repatriation?</span></b></span></div><div><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has made it his mission to repatriate as many ancient Egyptian artifacts as possible. He has already achieved remarkable results. His stated ambition is to recover six major icons of ancient </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> that currently reside in foreign museums. They are, in no particular order; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Rosetta Stone</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in The British Museum; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">bust of Nefertiti</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Berlin’s Neues Museum, the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Zodiac</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> from Dendara Temple in the Louvre Museum; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">bust of the vizier Ankhaf</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">statue of Hemiunu</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Hildesheim near Hannover; the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">image of Rameses II</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Turin. In a short series of articles we will describe each item and, where possible, determine its provenance.</span></span></span></i></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Dendara Zodiac</span></b></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccQ0h1xQ-7ll8IJ66XhtuebcylvyZZJ6Ezcjf589efcrZvUt8eyE30LucQ71ZRt26ti0aABr4Kzaeqdy62hV2kCex86KClUx08wQmK_ingLdrgO9_xG4QqPoVJAbJUdPQcrHP10YU6EU/s1600/250px-Dendera_7_977.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccQ0h1xQ-7ll8IJ66XhtuebcylvyZZJ6Ezcjf589efcrZvUt8eyE30LucQ71ZRt26ti0aABr4Kzaeqdy62hV2kCex86KClUx08wQmK_ingLdrgO9_xG4QqPoVJAbJUdPQcrHP10YU6EU/s320/250px-Dendera_7_977.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484836879886341746" /></a><div><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 46.3pt; "><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dendara</span></span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Temple</span></st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> is a Ptolemaic Temple built on the site of several previous ancient Egyptian Temples dedicated to the goddess Hathor. It was built over a period of several decades around 100 BC to 50 BC. The temple is located about 60 kms north of </span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Luxor</span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> on the western bank of the </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nile</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">River</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> opposite the provincial town of </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Qena</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l1NgochRX4GwcDzdis30u5kPO1gk2bRA0sWQCpbSJok2Wl_ZRX6IweWFcP8nll9HM2IsFtKez75CIrA3JekhOZ-3i5YYeF3MV_CnEuDSm2mV1fes4eRXu4goRudnI-GLQ-qM0k43CQY/s1600/200px-Denderah3_Cleopatra_Cesarion.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l1NgochRX4GwcDzdis30u5kPO1gk2bRA0sWQCpbSJok2Wl_ZRX6IweWFcP8nll9HM2IsFtKez75CIrA3JekhOZ-3i5YYeF3MV_CnEuDSm2mV1fes4eRXu4goRudnI-GLQ-qM0k43CQY/s320/200px-Denderah3_Cleopatra_Cesarion.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484836527891022850" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 46.3pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">The sculptured <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">bas relief </i>of the star map was found carved into a sandstone slab mounted in the ceiling of the portico of the Osiris chapel at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dendara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The circular star map shows the position of the stars and includes various animal shapes conforming to the constellations. A calculation based on the position of the stars on the map combined with the age of the temple building, indicate that the zodiac shows the night sky in about 50BC, possibly in the reign of Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ptolemaic Dynasty. Cleopatra’s image is carved into the rear wall of the temple.</span></p></span></div><div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:center"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify">In 1802, during Napoleon’s occupation of <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>, the zodiac was sketched by Vivant Denon (who was later appointed the first director of the Louvre). Examination of Denon’s sketch aroused controversy concerning the date of the zodiac. Various “experts” presented opinions of its age ranging from tens of thousands of years to a few hundred years and there was additional disagreement as to whether the carving was a true star map or an astrological chart.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;">The sandstone slab was removed from the ceiling of the chapel by master mason Jean Baptiste Leloraine using masonry drills, chisels, saws, jacks and, according to one report, even explosives. The zodiac of Dendera was transported to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1821 apparently with the permission of the Egyptian ruler of the time Mohamed Ali Pasha. The sandstone slab was installed in the National Library of Louis XVIII in 1824. In 1964 the zodiac was moved from the Bibliothèque Nationale to the Musée du Louvre, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">In modern days, visitors to <st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region> who view the plaster replica of the zodiac bolted to the ceiling of the chapel in Dendara and those who study the original sculpture in the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Louvre</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, look in vain for an image of the present day astrological chart. The ancient Egyptians did not use the positions of the stars to produce astrological readings, although they did believe that certain constellations could have a negative effect on events. Regrettably for modern astrologers who cast horoscopes based on the stars, the zodiac does not represent an early form of the zodiac they currently use. The Dendara zodiac is fundamentally a star map. It shows the actual position of the stars in 50BC; a true night skyscape used when celebrating the mysteries of the resurrection of Osiris, the lord of the underworld.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify">The artwork of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">bas relief </i>is of a very high standard. As previously mentioned, the original slab was sandstone, a more difficult medium for fine sculpture than limestone which forms the basis for the beautiful <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">bas relief </i>sculptures in the temple at Abydos and in other sites.</p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdpQLfFh0TkWwM1pUm-4NfR38U_O3942FRH35HdqQfmLBQzaC2fl6yZydpPtEdAVkdYPBcbGxBVV_uewGwENU8kLsFm-VRAIxMv4Sy_bRat8IEcrugSi7_XzwrVEKdc4OMu9mBD2ucFw/s1600/egypt_dendera_zodiac.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdpQLfFh0TkWwM1pUm-4NfR38U_O3942FRH35HdqQfmLBQzaC2fl6yZydpPtEdAVkdYPBcbGxBVV_uewGwENU8kLsFm-VRAIxMv4Sy_bRat8IEcrugSi7_XzwrVEKdc4OMu9mBD2ucFw/s320/egypt_dendera_zodiac.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484834655314439378" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify">The night sky is represented by a disc, held up by four female figures assisted by falcon-headed beings. The thirty-six divisions around the circumference each represent 10 days totalling the 360 days of the Egyptian year. The additional five days making up the full year were always considered to be the days “outside the year” won by the sky goddess Nut. The constellations within the circle include the signs of the zodiac, most of which are seen as they are today. Aries, Taurus, Scorpio, and Capricorn are readily recognized, whereas other forms are more Egyptian: Aquarius is shown as Hapy, the god of the <st1:place st="on">Nile</st1:place> flood, pouring water from two vessels and the Great Bear is shown as a bull's foreleg.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:46.3pt;margin-bottom: 12.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify">Two eclipses are represented exactly where and when they occurred. The solar eclipse of 7 March 51 BC is depicted as the goddess Isis holding a baboon (the lunar god Thoth) by its tail, signifying her attempt to stop the moon from hiding the sun. The lunar eclipse of 25 September 52 BC is represented by a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">udjat-eye</i>. The five planets (in addition to Earth) that were known at the time are associated with certain signs of the zodiac. Venus, the morning star is behind Aquarius; Jupiter is near Cancer; Mars the red planet is directly above Capricorn; Mercury and Saturn are shown in this particular configuration that occurs only about once every thousand years. It has been dated between 15 June and 15 August 50 BC. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">It is clear that a date in mid 50BC had particular significance, but what that significance may have been has been lost over time. One credible suggestion is that it may have been the date of the completion of the construction of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Dendara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> and that the sculptured zodiac commemorates that date in the same way an official opening plaque might do today.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify">The Dendara zodiac was removed and transported to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> in an act that would be described as gross vandalism and theft if it occurred today. The wanton removal of this historic work of art resonates with the similar act performed on the Elgin Marbles. The permission granted by <span style="color:black;">Mohamed Ali Pasha to the French was at best flimsy and certainly did not take into account the preservation of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s heritage. The zodiac might be considered to be more representative of Greek astrology than Egyptian, but the Macedonian pharaohs of the Ptolemaic Dynasty are an integral part of ancient Egyptian history. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:maroon;">Egypt’s claim on the Dendara Zodiac<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;">It would seem that <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place> might have a realistic expectation of having the zodiac returned to them, particularly if French archaeologists are denied access to Egyptian digs unless the zodiac is repatriated, a strategy that might be employed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;">The French may claim that by exhibiting the zodiac in the <st1:placename st="on">Louvre</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city>, many more visitors have the opportunity to see this ancient artefact that would be the case if it were returned to its original place in Dendara. This is probably true. There is a replica of the zodiac in the ceiling of the Osiris chapel in Dendara temple, but many visitors to Egypt do not even visit Dendara temple and of those who do, only a fraction are taken by their guides to see the zodiac.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;">What would the Supreme Council of Antiquities in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region> do with the slab of sandstone? Perhaps it should not be reinstalled in Dendara temple, but rather set up for viewing in an <st1:placename st="on">Egyptian</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype>, but how would that be better and more accessible than the <st1:placename st="on">Louvre</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype> in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="color:black;"><br /></span></p></div></div></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-9007979902286377682010-06-14T05:07:00.000-07:002010-06-14T05:33:24.699-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:center"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Six Icons for Repatriation?</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has made it his mission to repatriate as many ancient Egyptian artifacts as possible. He has already achieved remarkable results. His stated ambition is to recover six major icons of ancient </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> that currently reside in foreign museums. They are, in no particular order; the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Rosetta Stone</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in The British Museum; the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">bust of Nefertiti</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Berlin’s Neues Museum, the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Zodiac</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> from Dendara Temple in the Louvre Museum; the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">bust of the vizier Ankhaf</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts; the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">statue of Hemiunu</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Hildesheim near Hannover; the </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">image of Rameses II</span></u></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in Turin. In a short series of articles we will describe each item and, where possible, determine its provenance.</span></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:16.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Rosetta Stone</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The technological achievements of the ancient Egyptian civilization can readily be seen in the splendid temples and tombs that adorn the ancient land. However the key that archaeologists needed to unlock the secrets of the civilization was an understanding of their hieroglyphs. Without the meaning of the hieroglyphic inscriptions we would have scant knowledge of ancient </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. That was the scenario before the discovery and deciphering of the Rosetta Stone, arguably the most significant discovery in Egyptology. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The question posed is whether the Rosetta Stone was obtained legitimately by the English</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">.</span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiKcURsOmbAiPdaq3eQyLRxNvS6WOqPhe7ZhjALIzV2Wi1n8T7fo5kNATLAqPiYIch6B5h5gnN-gT3UNHBpvtVfgTL_lwlwACR2ihTR_fsOk_VfEVc94Mc96WlnwzOuflJXKmDlHaMQg/s1600/rosetta-stone.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiKcURsOmbAiPdaq3eQyLRxNvS6WOqPhe7ZhjALIzV2Wi1n8T7fo5kNATLAqPiYIch6B5h5gnN-gT3UNHBpvtVfgTL_lwlwACR2ihTR_fsOk_VfEVc94Mc96WlnwzOuflJXKmDlHaMQg/s200/rosetta-stone.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482603870791401282" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Rosetta Stone was discovered in </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in 1799 by a Lieutenant in Napoleon’s occupying army named Pierre-François Bouchard. The 760 kg slab was found built into the foundation of an old wall during the renovation of </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fort</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Julien</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> near the port city of </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rashid</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, known to Europeans as Rosetta. Napoleon had brought 167 scientists or ‘savants’ with him on his campaign to </span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and they had formed the Institut de l’Égypte in </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cairo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. The Rosetta Stone was cleaned and sent to the Institut in July 1799 where the scholars recognised the importance of the </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">artifact</span></span><span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Napoleon returned to </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">France</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> shortly after the discovery of the Rosetta Stone while the savants remained behind with the French troops. The French army resisted the attacks of the British and Ottoman forces for a further 18 months. In 1801 when the English troops under Sir Ralph Abercromby threatened to capture </span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cairo</span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> from the French expedition, Napoleon’s famous savants left </span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cairo</span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for the supposed safety of </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Alexandria</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, taking all the ancient artefacts they had found, including the Rosetta Stone, with them. Had they remained in </span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cairo</span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, in terms of the capitulation of the city they would have been permitted to leave and take their collection (including the stone) back to </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">France</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. However, when Alexandria was captured some five months later, the terms of capitulation had changed and they were compelled to hand over their collection, including the Rosetta Stone, to the English General Hutchinson.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Rosetta Stone was not shipped to </span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">England</span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> immediately, but remained in </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for a further year, stored in a warehouse along with the defeated French General Menou’s personal baggage. Despite the terms of capitulation, when the English Colonel Tomkyns Hilgrove Turner claimed the stone, the French General refused to hand it over, claiming it was his personal possession. A heated and acrimonious discussion ensued. The object was eventually handed over to the English along with dire warnings as to what would happen if the French Troops still billeted in </span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Alexandria</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> heard of the “theft”. The English took possession of the Rosetta Stone in the streets of Alexandria from where it was shipped to Portsmouth on a captured French frigate the HMS Egyptienne arriving in February 1802. At the end of the year, after various copies of the script had been taken, the Rosetta Stone was transferred to the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">British</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Museum</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> where it remains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The inscription of a single text in three different scripts enabled scholars and particularly Jean-François Champollion to decipher hieroglyphs for the first time. Remarkably nothing quite like it has been discovered since. Before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, slow progress was being made in deciphering hieroglyphs. Scholars had come to recognize that hieroglyphs were neither symbolic nor esoteric, but characters used to write ancient language; and that Hieratic and Demotic were cursive forms of the same script. Eventually hieroglyphs would have been deciphered without the Rosetta Stone, but who knows how long it would have taken.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6m4YbDMmN2L3J3yaZOwxsqNiXh8TgPZDfjMWD4c5lHkernoHYMoMaSQkT4nYg4XdWgE3kU0zLpM6FNmGzu6HaKrGanayW5GJeR8UKE6o7A9OmGse5c0xKDjM7vk2WthHtErq7GUJ6R4/s1600/champollion_144.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6m4YbDMmN2L3J3yaZOwxsqNiXh8TgPZDfjMWD4c5lHkernoHYMoMaSQkT4nYg4XdWgE3kU0zLpM6FNmGzu6HaKrGanayW5GJeR8UKE6o7A9OmGse5c0xKDjM7vk2WthHtErq7GUJ6R4/s200/champollion_144.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482603456439670690" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Visitors to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">British</span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Museum</span></st1:placetype></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> will have seen the slab of stone, clearly engraved in three sections, each using a different script. In earlier years the 760 kg Rosetta Stone was often incorrectly identified as basalt, because of its black colour. It is however granitoid stone. The black colour was the result of the stone being coated on numerous occasions with printer’s ink. Paper was laid on the “inked” stone and an impression was transferred to the paper using a rubber roller. The impressions were sent to various institutions for study. In recent years the stone has been cleaned and its original grey granite colour has been revealed.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The stone is damaged and the inscription incomplete, nevertheless sufficient of the three scripts (hieroglyphs, Demotic and Greek) remained to enable the Greek version to be used as a basis to unravel the Egyptian scripts. Thomas Young started the process by working on the relationship between Demotic and Greek. He found a word in Greek occurring more than once and he looked for a group of signs in Demotic appearing an equal number of times. He also selected the frequently recurring groups such as “king” “Ptolemy” and “</span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">” and found likely equivalents. Young had discovered many elements of hieroglyphs from other temple inscriptions such as royal names, gender determinatives and certain phonetic signs. He was able, through this method to identify about eighty Demotic words with their hieroglyphic equivalents. He was convinced that individual hieroglyphs had phonetic values.</span></span><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEbFiv7Miz9RGq8V9qVmsHjbA8n0dt93IuCUzjMCahK7PVSS7B9HmoyK5AOCjO0-aNYHwNkXkQzDWEPKw_Srw-c6QIv-BXS9TrC3UmJcIxRz0v-EbVXJfaDvkzPkCEILhFf8MsMzCo1Q/s1600/demotic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEbFiv7Miz9RGq8V9qVmsHjbA8n0dt93IuCUzjMCahK7PVSS7B9HmoyK5AOCjO0-aNYHwNkXkQzDWEPKw_Srw-c6QIv-BXS9TrC3UmJcIxRz0v-EbVXJfaDvkzPkCEILhFf8MsMzCo1Q/s200/demotic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482602897566508370" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Young sent his findings to Champollion in 1819, but despite this evidence Champollion continued for two years to believe that hieroglyphs were symbolic and devoid of phonetic values. Only when he received a copy of a bilingual inscription in Greek and hieroglyphs from the base block of an obelisk excavated by W.J.Banks at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Philae</span></st1:place></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, with Banks’ deduction that one of the cartouches in the hieroglyphic section spelled Cleopatra, did Champollion abandon his previous theory. Once he accepted Young’s work as correct (which he never acknowledged) Champollion went on to use the Rosetta Stone to lay the foundation on which the present knowledge of hieroglyphs is based.</span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4rR2LBSmz7EJvLoy9A9T7SKrmHhgycTUaeMCtwvJX9XqjDTE6CSI7im7zvDkyLCGxr9qrH8XIxVx45uPoaUDGZpd-X13p0CYXouV9lqnxvJFAiudNaeA6WABqNVl_jQDYyjzIWRBvQ/s1600/Sedge+and+bee+only.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4rR2LBSmz7EJvLoy9A9T7SKrmHhgycTUaeMCtwvJX9XqjDTE6CSI7im7zvDkyLCGxr9qrH8XIxVx45uPoaUDGZpd-X13p0CYXouV9lqnxvJFAiudNaeA6WABqNVl_jQDYyjzIWRBvQ/s320/Sedge+and+bee+only.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482601690995387890" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The translation of the Rosetta Stone reveals how difficult it must have been to decipher the hieroglyphs. For example we might consider that having found the word “king” in Greek, it would be a simple matter to find the word in the other scripts. However the word for “king” in Demotic was written as </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“he of the great house”</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (Pharaoh) whereas in hieroglyphs the same word was written as </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">“he of the sedge and the bee”</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (ruler of Upper and </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lower Egypt</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thanks to the inspirational work of Young and Champollion we are now able to read the wonderful history of ancient </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> directly from inscriptions on temples, tombs and papyri. The Rosetta Stone is indeed the key to our understanding of the ancient civilization of </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. It was found by the French during Napoleon’s occupation of </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. It was claimed by the English as the spoils of war when the English defeated the French in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 27.0pt"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <b><span style=" font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">The question is, should it remain in the </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">British</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Museum</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> or does it rightfully belong </span></span></span></b><b><span style=" font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">to the people who made it, the Egyptians?</span></span></span></b>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-20579231588293981082010-05-30T04:58:00.001-07:002010-05-30T05:43:16.546-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In the Beginning - Part Five</span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Part five of five </span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color: black; "><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>The Final Act</i></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">In part four of this stylised version of one of the creation myths of ancient Egypt, we were introduced to the five children of the sky goddess Nut and the earth god Geb. Their names were Osiris, Seth, Haroeris, Isis and Nephthys. While Haroeris returned to The Complete One, Osiris became the first King of Egypt. When it was time for him to stand aside for his brother Seth, their father Geb decided that Osiris should remain on the throne. While Seth brooded on the injustice of the decision in Nubia, Ptah, god of the word invented the concept of an ‘heir’. He instructed Osiris and his sister Isis to marry and to produce an heir to the throne. The word ‘heir’, carrying with it the possible establishment of a dynasty that excluded Seth, was heard in the desert far to the south, in the place Seth had made his home. This is the final part of the series on the creation myth of ancient Egypt taken from the book “Pharaoh Ay Remembers” by Anthony Holmes. </span></span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color: black; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Seth heard the word <b>“heir”</b> in the vast reaches of the </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">desert</span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> of </span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Nubia</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. He was determined not to permit this travesty of justice to take place. He was determined to take his place on the throne. He waited until the time for the celebration of the wedding of Osiris and </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Isis</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> was announced. Seth set a messenger to the palace from where Osiris ruled at Men-nefer. The message read,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">“Your brother Seth, Son of Geb and Nut and Prince of Nubia </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">(</span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Sudan</span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">, greets his brother Osiris and his sister Isis, the King and Queen of Upper and Lower Kemet </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">(the southern part and the delta region of </span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">. I congratulate you on your accession to the dual thrones of your country. At the time of the announcement of your extended rule I had succumbed to the dark side of my humour and, not being worthy company in your celebration, I withdrew myself to a remote place. A full cycle of time has now past and I have emerged from the gloom into the new light of your reign. I wish to participate in the happiness of your forthcoming marriage and, together with our sister Nephthys, I wish to attend the marriage ceremony so that we, the four Earthly children of Geb and Nut, may stand together in your time of joy. My messenger awaits your response.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Osiris and Isis were pleased to receive this conciliatory message from their estranged brother. Their response to Seth, although couched in the formal terms of their office, was warm and welcoming.</span></p><p></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxx9TBT_kJY_PaHH5Op5kvoQpU596PmE5rMAGTMV256EBWcrUr8tkk6P-hZRqcYHTunxcpyT2fTK_JrUpHuzw1RAiHlUaYIlBs-LP3P6gDU-bvSshvNvsDCxvf1kJDKoSLIEWqxGah18/s1600/Seth+and+Osiris.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxx9TBT_kJY_PaHH5Op5kvoQpU596PmE5rMAGTMV256EBWcrUr8tkk6P-hZRqcYHTunxcpyT2fTK_JrUpHuzw1RAiHlUaYIlBs-LP3P6gDU-bvSshvNvsDCxvf1kJDKoSLIEWqxGah18/s200/Seth+and+Osiris.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477038164771474002" /></a><div><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth arrived in Men-nefer several days before the wedding. He presented himself to his brother and sister and the reunion was seen to be friendly. All seemed to be peaceable and correct.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">At a family gathering of the four siblings, Seth came up with the apparently spontaneous suggestion that Osiris should attend a dinner in his honour, given by Seth and his friends, as a final celebration of his status as an unmarried male.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘Enjoy the last night of your freedom from marital ties.’ was the humorous invitation extended by Seth. And so it was that Osiris attended the fateful meal that was to change the future of Kemet </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(</span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_OYxIbM-h8AagK3sGkf3lHw3_Sx1NGqVJJq4LKQ6zMyvDNi7MgHkib4OJGCJs6zE2cY3Rl_QfazXfRj7emrLYR6g_HTnA51uvfqT_b9tC4Hb86unfOMAvy2JVDqPq05IfcrsrkQEQ4/s1600/Osiris+and+Isis.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn_OYxIbM-h8AagK3sGkf3lHw3_Sx1NGqVJJq4LKQ6zMyvDNi7MgHkib4OJGCJs6zE2cY3Rl_QfazXfRj7emrLYR6g_HTnA51uvfqT_b9tC4Hb86unfOMAvy2JVDqPq05IfcrsrkQEQ4/s200/Osiris+and+Isis.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477037661619528322" /></a><div><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The meal was held in the large tent that Seth had erected outside the walls of the palace. Seth had been invited to stay in the palace but he had declined, saying that he had come to appreciate the nomadic lifestyle and was more comfortable in the large tent. In addition to Osiris and Seth there were forty-two men present at the banquet. The cushions were set out in two parallel lines with Seth and Osiris seated at the head of each line. A large wooden chest, bound with bronze strapping was placed between the lines.</span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The meal proceeded with much joviality. The servants from the palace were finally dismissed and the group settled down to a session of stories of their exploits, some possibly true but mostly pure exaggerations of minor events. Finally, his curiosity exceeded his caution and Osiris asked about the wooden chest.</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth laughed and said it was merely something that travelled with them but it was not of any interest to the King of Kemet. Osiris persisted, his interest aroused.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘It is a means of making wealth.’ Seth finally admitted. ‘Anyone we meet on our travels may, on payment of a single gold piece, try to fit himself inside the chest. The inside of the chest is not empty. It is fitted with various wooden blocks, carved in strange shapes. The individual has to fit himself precisely between the blocks so that the lid can be closed. If this can be achieved, the successful man wins the chest filled to the brim with gold pieces. It represents a huge fortune.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth looked at his brother and laughed,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘So far we have not had to pay anyone, although thousands have tried their luck. Of course the challenge is of no interest to you, for you have more wealth than ten thousand chests of gold.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But Osiris had consumed sufficient beer to be foolish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘Show me how it works.’ he demanded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One of Seth’s friends opened the chest. It held a complicated compendium of blocks of all shapes and sizes. Seth called to one of his friends.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘Climb inside the chest and show the King how this device works.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Osiris watched as the young man climbed into the box, arranging his limbs in what appeared to be the most excruciating formation as he tried to fill every small space available. Finally he signified he was ready but as the lid was gently lowered it was apparent that there was no possibility of closing it. A knee here and an elbow there made it clear that this was not a good fit. The lid of the chest was raised again and the young man climbed out amid much laughter, stretching his cramped muscles and shaking his numb limbs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘I wish to try.’ exclaimed Osiris.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘I would not advise it’’ said the young man who had recently demonstrated the problems involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">‘I would not do it for gold,’ said Osiris, ‘but merely for the sport.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The more Seth and his company tried to dissuade Osiris the more stubbornly he insisted on trying. Eventually they acceded to his demand and opened the lid of the chest once more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Osiris was a supple man. He climbed into the chest and organised his body to suit the profiles of the wooden blocks. He appeared to melt into the shape as if it had been specifically made for his body. He said he was ready. The lid was lowered. It closed all the way. Seth leapt forward and slid a rod through the bronze hasp, locking the lid. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth immediately struck camp and the band of followers split up and travelled in different directions, each one heading for a different </span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nome</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <i>(Province) </i>while Seth rode back southwards towards Upper Kemet </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(The upper reaches of the </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nile</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">River</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Osiris did not last very long in the airtight chest. When Seth considered sufficient time had elapsed he opened the chest and beheld the dead body of his brother. But Seth was the son of a god and he well knew the divine ability of the gods to raise the dead and return life to them. What he then proceeded to perform compounded the evil of this most horrible act of fratricide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Seth cut Osiris’s body into several pieces, some say fourteen. He instructed his followers and they scattered the pieces all over the Land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9w8KmbnqkPtzG0PcC2uoYqUWovuQp0wefl-kxo36h7IPgqSo_3DkSAzIRxFBZg7msPyUhucfNHiEYYM-uz_F6MKxVoPH_2gKq-pdRJ6GfeZCX1CKAp769wd5tmeiUw1qsgmNAj94oY0/s1600/OSIRIS+MUMMY.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9w8KmbnqkPtzG0PcC2uoYqUWovuQp0wefl-kxo36h7IPgqSo_3DkSAzIRxFBZg7msPyUhucfNHiEYYM-uz_F6MKxVoPH_2gKq-pdRJ6GfeZCX1CKAp769wd5tmeiUw1qsgmNAj94oY0/s200/OSIRIS+MUMMY.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477036865380704290" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That should have been the end of Osiris, but it was not. His sister Isis who was also his prospective wife, with the help of her sister Nephthys searched the entire land and managed to gather together the pieces of her dead brother. The pieces were bound together with linen strips in the way embalmers have done ever since. Then, transforming herself into a fluttering kite by the use of powerful magic she invigorated Osiris for one final act in this life. In her bird form she hovered over Osiris and mated with him. Osiris then returned to the state of death and entered the afterlife. He became the Lord of the Dead and rule over the Underworld to which all dead persons travel. As a result of his final mortal act </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isis</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> conceived and produced a son she called Horus.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime Seth had not been idle. He called on his father Geb to fulfil the decision originally made by ‘The Complete One’, and raise him to the throne. Geb now had no choice but to proclaim Seth monarch of Upper and </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lower Kemet</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. He reigned for years and was recognised by the populace as a stern but fair king.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Naturally, when Horus reached maturity he wanted to avenge his father’s death. In terms of the laws governing the succession to the throne, any person with a legitimate claim to the throne was permitted to challenge the incumbent to battle to determine the rightful claim to sovereignty. Horus issued a challenge to his uncle Seth. An inconclusive battle resulted in which each was seriously injured. Horus lost an eye and Seth’s testicles were so crushed that they had to be removed to save his life. Finally the god of the Earth Geb decided that the land should be divided and that Horus would rule Lower Kemet from the first branch of the Delta northwards to the Sea, while Seth would rule </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Upper Kemet</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> from the Delta southwards to the first cataract.</span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZOoFJK4yTXJiYUwpRTAHT_EsN1I13EWjFTmxznLkvxN6noR4v_bcDXv8uUdsV7NmMMAj76qEIVzxEqC0q0s6wgtvlaRudPlDASWytXjtJ9QPX4wIddhfAUNXsZanK4P1DFpRjJmadMI/s1600/HORUS+CROWNED.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 82px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZOoFJK4yTXJiYUwpRTAHT_EsN1I13EWjFTmxznLkvxN6noR4v_bcDXv8uUdsV7NmMMAj76qEIVzxEqC0q0s6wgtvlaRudPlDASWytXjtJ9QPX4wIddhfAUNXsZanK4P1DFpRjJmadMI/s200/HORUS+CROWNED.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477036088038582866" /></a><div><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Although it seemed to be an ideal solution, Ma’at intervened. She claimed that Seth had forfeited his chance to rule any part of Kemet because the murder of Osiris weighed heavily against him on the Balance of Justice. ‘The Complete One’ agreed with Ma’at. He instructed Ptah to say the words and Horus was given full authority over both of the Two Lands. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Seth was banished by ‘The Complete One’ to the land below the horizon to the south. Seth became the first King of Nubia, where he ruled with wisdom and justice for many years. Finally, after serving his time of banishment, he departed from this life to join the other gods, from which time he was revered as the main god of </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nubia</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Horus ruled the lands of Upper and </span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lower Kemet</span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> with strength and wisdom. His wise leadership was established as the example for all subsequent Kings to follow. Each King who ascended the throne of the </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Land</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> of </span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kemet</span></span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> thereafter was referred to as the “Living Horus”</span></span></span></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4B298kylipBzQ16u03GotUD6E4iqHGnRdj8v_1HKq6nO_imKShlcMJgvqOf5-o5M4XlUepOztAsbhiUueB3iMOfzGOpjI35nRqGhBM__t9lOtQu6OkojWLVLw4FPSXGGg9iZyKuzKE/s1600/tut+mask.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4B298kylipBzQ16u03GotUD6E4iqHGnRdj8v_1HKq6nO_imKShlcMJgvqOf5-o5M4XlUepOztAsbhiUueB3iMOfzGOpjI35nRqGhBM__t9lOtQu6OkojWLVLw4FPSXGGg9iZyKuzKE/s200/tut+mask.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477031548839570882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">THE END</span></span></b></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-18624663352908701402010-05-24T03:27:00.000-07:002010-05-24T03:44:49.109-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black;">In the Beginning – Part Four</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This story of creation and the early pre-history of ancient </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, reflects the basic tenets of the belief system of the ancient Egyptians. The legend has been embroidered by the author Anthony Holmes in his book “Pharaoh Ay Remembers” from which it is taken. In the previous three parts of this imaginative version of the ancient Egyptian creation myth we read of the creation of the universe by’ The Complete One’ and the manner in which his daughter Ma’at formed a beautiful world in which to place a worshipful human being. Ma’at created man and woman with freedom of choice and a spiritual aspect to their existence that might live on after their death. However all was not well among the gods…</span></span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the Beginning part four of five</span></b></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the first period of creation, the god of the air, Shu had become jealous of the attraction between his son Geb and his daughter Nut. He had separated them by placing himself between the earth and the sky. He recognised that his daughter, with her vibrant blue colour in the day and the twinkling stars across her body at night was extremely attractive and he was very jealous of her beauty. Shu realised that a liaison with Nut would become the aim of every male in the totality of creation. He feared that Nut’s beauty would lead her to conceive a child and that her pregnancy would cause her belly to swell downwards as she arched over the world, bringing the stars within the reach of the earth. Shu therefore placed a spell on his daughter. The enchantment declared that she would not bear a child on any day of the year.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6UrTkEc7e7ie0-GOekO7sedcWRV_lIaoMQfLOLjXpXb3ZWLCR0PFCW6LZ84b-_32wB71ntQkXL4ZJijIOX9ReB0B70t_YxTpYqtCtIOxw5hv-XHp8OT8SNe2ELg3rD4MoEVKfJRJii0/s1600/SHU+SEP+JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6UrTkEc7e7ie0-GOekO7sedcWRV_lIaoMQfLOLjXpXb3ZWLCR0PFCW6LZ84b-_32wB71ntQkXL4ZJijIOX9ReB0B70t_YxTpYqtCtIOxw5hv-XHp8OT8SNe2ELg3rD4MoEVKfJRJii0/s320/SHU+SEP+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474783109020936098" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nut was not to be denied motherhood by her jealous father. She challenged the god of time to a game of chance. Nut won five days from Thoth; five extra days that were additional to the year of three-hundred and sixty days defined by Ptah. The spell of Shu could not apply to the extra five days because they were not “in the year”. Nut conceived and gave birth to five children, one on each of the extra days she had won.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The first child was male and was called Osiris. He was beautiful of countenance and powerful of physique, a golden god-child with light brown hair and gold flecked eyes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The second child was a boy called Haroeris. He was gifted with remarkable intelligence. He was pale, almost translucent in his lack of pigment.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">He had pink eyes and white hair.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The third child was male and his name was Seth. He was dark with eyes like chips of obsidian and hair like the darkest night. He was handsome and strong, but he was belligerent of character.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The fourth child was a girl. She was gloriously fair with hair like spun gold and eyes of the finest sapphire. Her beauty was beyond compare and her nature was as sunny as her appearance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The fifth and last child was a daughter. She was voluptuous with auburn hair that cascaded beyond her shoulders. She was kind and caring, destined to be the lady of the mansion. Her eyes were full of the promise of the evening and her skin was kissed by the sun. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The five children were presented to ‘The Complete One’, but the creator of the universe was disturbed and he said to Nut their mother, </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">‘Although you did not break your father’s spell, you thwarted your father’s wish, a thing no child should do. Because of this I will penalise you. You may only keep four of your children in your world. Those four children will not inherit every divine attribute, but will be part mortal and part divine. The fifth child will become a deity and join me in my realm and you will not see that child again. It is for you to choose.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nut considered her five children and after deliberation she chose to surrender the pale skinned Haroeris to ‘The Complete One’ where he might live more comfortably than on the sun-drenched world below.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 46.3pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The four children of Nut grew to maturity on the earth. Osiris was blessed with an open countenance and a bronze complexion. Seth on the other hand was dark and brooding. </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Isis</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was the complete antithesis of Seth. Where he was dark, she was wonderfully light. Everything about </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Isis</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> spoke of purity. The last of the siblings, Nephthys was a little shorter than </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Isis</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> but sensuous and warm. Like her brother Osiris she was clearly a child of the earth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw5Dn3c51UIS_Q2t2mKsGEUuzEAkdA1Dm5Nf6TBZcD1-jweHxcK6_SEHx2yMYz4K5C_Rvu-YskuS8WQeq2p5QUYIGYfQPJTOceyq1PX2QimjsAKNwrAq7N73gLIQIpEKa4GLUgGTYsxU/s1600/CHILDREN+OF+NUT.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw5Dn3c51UIS_Q2t2mKsGEUuzEAkdA1Dm5Nf6TBZcD1-jweHxcK6_SEHx2yMYz4K5C_Rvu-YskuS8WQeq2p5QUYIGYfQPJTOceyq1PX2QimjsAKNwrAq7N73gLIQIpEKa4GLUgGTYsxU/s400/CHILDREN+OF+NUT.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474782497595890914" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0px; margin-right: 46.3pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They were magnificent demi-gods exhibiting all the wonderful aspects of their parentage. It was natural that mankind should look to them to provide a leader.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ma’at heard the plea of the people that a leader should be appointed, but in the eyes of the goddess of justice all four of the children were equally deserving of the role of leader. In the balance of her mind could not determine whether one had better qualifications than the other. She therefore called on her father for help. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">‘The Complete One’ made the decision. The first leader of mankind would be Osiris because he was the first-born of Nut’s children. He would reign for a period to be chosen by Thoth. After the period had elapsed, Seth would become leader for an equal time, followed by Isis and finally Nephthys. Thereafter the cycle could be repeated.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">‘Osiris became the first ruler of the combined land that included both Upper and Lower Kemet (</span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Upper Egypt was the southern part – the upper waters of the </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nile</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Lower Egypt was the delta region where the Nile flowed into the </span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mediterranean Sea</span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Osiris was both a demi-god and a good king. Mankind was taught by Osiris to use the benefit of the flood to plant and reap food. He taught men about the justice and order of Ma’at and his rule lasted for a thousand years. When it came time for Osiris to step down from the throne his father Geb vacillated. Osiris had been such an outstanding king that Geb was reluctant to change the status quo. He decided to extend the rule of Osiris.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Seth was furious at being denied the right to rule the land and he and many of his followers left the land of Kemet and journeyed to the south, where they lived in Nubia, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Sudan)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> awaiting the day that Geb would recall Seth to take the throne.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was at this precise time that Ptah loosened one of his bandages without being instructed by the creator so to do. For a short moment he was free to say a word that was not the will of ‘The Complete One’. Ptah spoke the word ‘heir’ and for the first time the concept of a child who would take over a function from his father came into existence. Ptah instructed Osiris to take his sister Isis to be his wife and produce a child to be the heir to throne. This was against the order of Ma’at because the goddess of justice required that Osiris’s twin brother Seth should rule for the same length of time as Osiris. Balance would be disturbed if Osiris should produce an offspring before Seth had his allotted time on the throne, but the word ‘heir’ had been spoken by Ptah and the concept had come into the world…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-78651942739973704432010-05-13T06:14:00.000-07:002010-05-17T03:57:20.878-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:small;"><div id="preview" style="clear: both; width: 600px; margin-left: 0.7em; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 2em; padding-bottom: 2em; padding-left: 2em; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div id="previewbody" style=" color: rgb(102, 102, 102); margin-left: 0.2em; display: block; font-size:17px;"><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); "><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt; "><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;">In the Beginning – Part Three</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></span></i><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); ">In parts one and two of this whimsical version of the ancient Egyptian creation myth, taken from the book “Pharaoh Ay Remembers” by Anthony Holmes, we read that Ma’at, the daughter of 'The Complete One' accepted her father’s challenge to select a single world; to fashion it from its original chaos and to populate it with beings that would have the free choice to either adore the creator of the universe or to reject him. With the assistance of the three gods of creation, Ptah the word, Atum the power and Harakhte the disseminator, Ma’at created a beautiful world, but now she had to create a worshipful entity with freedom of choice. With the help of Thoth, the god of wisdom, after eons had elapsed, Ma’at was finally ready to define a human being…</span><o:p></o:p></i></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><b>In the Beginning - part three of five</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Ma’at instructed Ptah to speak the word of creation by calling on the name of ‘Man’. The goddess described all the features and characteristics she had discussed with Thoth, and many more, for man had to be a balanced entity with the ability to choose which characteristics he would follow and those which he would ignore or reject. A man may be honest or he may choose to be dishonest. A man may choose to be kind or he may turn his back on kindness. A man may love or he may hate. Most of all he may choose to adore his god or not.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">One choice was withheld from man and that was the choice of the length of his life, for what man would not choose to live forever? Instead, man was given another choice. He could choose to live forever in the afterlife, in the fields of abundance where no pain, no storms and no anxiety exist. He could make that choice in his present life by ensuring that his heart was filled with the lightness of good behaviour and not weighed down by evil deeds. At his death he would be judged. His heart would be weighed in Ma’at’s own balance and if he had lived a good life and his existence in the world was justified, then he would partake of eternal life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Ptah spoke the word and the concept of man existed. It was now the task of Atum-Ra to use the power of creation to turn Ptah’s word into reality, but Atum-Ra hesitated.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘It is possible for me to call upon the skill of the great potter, ‘Khnum’ to form this man from the clay of the earth so that man will be a child of Geb, the god of the earth. I can instruct Khnum to create man as you have described him and according to the word spoken by Ptah, but if I do so, man will be just another animal on the earth. You have said he will inhabit the afterlife once he is dead, but what is there left of an animal after it is dead? Their bodies decay, their bones turn to powder and ultimately there is nothing. Perhaps you wish me to create an aspect of man that will survive after his death so that he may enjoy the pleasures you have promised him?’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Once more Ma’at and Thoth the god of wisdom sat down under the Persea Tree to consider his suggestion. They invited Ra-Harakhte to participate in their discussion. They talked the matter over for a long time because it was to be a decision that would affect man for all time. They proposed and disposed many concepts until they finally agreed. They called Ptah and Atum-Ra together and Ma’at addressed them thus:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘I will describe to you the concepts we have agreed upon. Ptah will name them and Atum-Ra will ensure they are created as inherent components of man.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIaAX3ts61ghjr8IcuUSQgwTMnHAQBDTLQvG4j-otA47yrboiVfT2923In97tQUDjdVtacYfuhSUvP4hN6PrEPg0liyJmgURfaJmKGC_4qfD_IdXjlNPAXxOm-V52LKc-DIdorwQlNZc/s1600/KHNUM+JPG.jpg" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIaAX3ts61ghjr8IcuUSQgwTMnHAQBDTLQvG4j-otA47yrboiVfT2923In97tQUDjdVtacYfuhSUvP4hN6PrEPg0liyJmgURfaJmKGC_4qfD_IdXjlNPAXxOm-V52LKc-DIdorwQlNZc/s200/KHNUM+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470736268326803250" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px; " /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘Man will be formed from clay on the wheel of Khnum the divine potter. At the same time Khnum will also fashion an exact replica of the man. The replica will be indistinguishable from the man except that it will be contained within him and it will be immortal. Upon the man’s death this replica will be released to enjoy the pleasures of the afterlife from the grave. The replica will draw its energy from the memories of mortals and it will be invigorated each time the deceased’s name is spoken with love or reverence.’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">And Ptah spoke the word,</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘The replica will be called the Ka of the man.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Atum-Ra instructed Khnum accordingly and the divine potter with his twisted horns and ram’s head took clay and constructed a ‘Man’ and his Ka on the potter’s wheel.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">It was the turn of Thoth to put forward the next concept.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CEgJGXlUJ8pDSrx6OUAv70EuSrhVVnUc_ILVrXw05kF1HGjuFsponahyAoH3FTEkcke9jRBMCd5ztOnN4UwHeUv00EZgBPmd9kpqWja-GTl3QBu-sEJdD57K6u8r5mEABEGTyOFhbKc/s1600/BA+BIRD+JPG.jpg" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CEgJGXlUJ8pDSrx6OUAv70EuSrhVVnUc_ILVrXw05kF1HGjuFsponahyAoH3FTEkcke9jRBMCd5ztOnN4UwHeUv00EZgBPmd9kpqWja-GTl3QBu-sEJdD57K6u8r5mEABEGTyOFhbKc/s200/BA+BIRD+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470735300246376530" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘I am the god of wisdom and it is therefore incumbent upon me to place wisdom in the heart of man. But wisdom does not start with a man’s birth, nor does it end with his death. You will therefore name and create wisdom in the form of a bird with the head and face of a man. The bird of wisdom will enter a man’s heart when he is delivered of his mother and it will leave the man on his death to fly to another new born baby. The bird will inhabit many successive lives, thus imparting its accumulated wisdom to the heart of the child.’</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">And Ptah spoke the word,</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘The bird of wisdom shall be called the Ba. A child born with a Ba of great experience will be wise beyond his years whereas a child born with a young Ba will be naïve and innocent.’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Once more Ma’at spoke of the concepts that had evolved in the discussion under the Persea Tree:</span></p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_hvt4Wrk5EzZj0ykWZ_48acc-wvhCDc-V5waQpnXidVui_Q2UZdiiJmSxqzI-mgTsfCcxMJwPVH5mC9b82h0iH2O6dvYYdSTeGqiHoGEqyceE0jzPtqG0x-g5HyR4biK59LSQNOEIE/s1600/T.JPG" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 204); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_hvt4Wrk5EzZj0ykWZ_48acc-wvhCDc-V5waQpnXidVui_Q2UZdiiJmSxqzI-mgTsfCcxMJwPVH5mC9b82h0iH2O6dvYYdSTeGqiHoGEqyceE0jzPtqG0x-g5HyR4biK59LSQNOEIE/s200/T.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470734307713203522" style="border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 118px; " /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">‘When man dies his Ka will journey to the great hall of The Complete One. The Ka will bring with him the man’s heart, for in his heart will be the total of all his deeds, be they heavy or light. His heart will be weighed in the balance while the Ka makes its declaration of innocence to the forty-two assessor gods.’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">It was Thoth who provided the final question.‘What will happen after the heart has been weighed?’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Ma’at whispered her reply to the divinities around her.‘If the heart is heavy with the foulness of greed, treachery or debauchery, the assessor gods will not accept the declaration of innocence; the heart will be thrown to the beast that will devour it. The Ka will return to the grave, but few will hold the man’s memory dear and the Ka will whither and fade.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">'But if his heart is light with happiness, with love and good deeds and the assessor gods judge his mortal life to be justified his heart will become a bright light in the presence of my father, to exist in the realm of the divine for ever. The Ka will return to the tomb where it will partake of all manner of offerings and bask in the pleasures of the afterlife, reinforced by the kind memories of those who yet live and his name will be spoken through all the ages.’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Amun-Ra imbued the man with all that which had been decided by Ma’at and Thoth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Ma’at instructed that man be given a companion to keep him company and assist him in all that he did, and Khnum took clay and formed a woman and her Ka on his wheel. Khnum then placed a potter’s wheel in the womb of the woman so that henceforth she might do his divine work of creating men and women.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); margin-right: 46.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">But all was not well with the gods…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div id="SubmitTwo" style="display: block; padding-top: 1em; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; clear: both; margin-bottom: 300px; "><div class="cssButtonSize-small cssButtonSide-left" dir="ltr" style="float: left; display: inline; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div class="cssButtonColor-orange" style="float: left; "><a id="publishButton" class="cssButton" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=530385871838153136&postID=7865194273997370443" target="" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1px; display: block; position: relative; font-size: small; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; text-transform: uppercase; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; "><div class="cssButtonOuter" style="float: left; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; position: relative; border-top-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-right-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-left-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); "><div class="cssButtonMiddle" style="float: left; border-top-width: 2px; border-right-width: 2px; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-width: 2px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; margin-top: -1px; margin-right: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px; margin-left: -1px; position: relative; border-top-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-right-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); border-left-color: rgb(153, 51, 0); "></div></div></a></div></div></div></span>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-25049851938505219692010-05-12T06:11:00.000-07:002010-05-14T09:00:12.169-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style=" ;font-size:14.0pt;color:black;">In the Beginning - Part Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><i><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">This fanciful version of the ancient Egyptian creation myth is taken from the book “Pharaoh Ay Remembers” by Anthony Holmes. In part one we read that 'The Complete One' created the universe as a pleasurable diversion, but his daughter Ma’at told her father that it was insufficient for the universe to exist merely for him to gaze upon. To be fulfilled, what it needed was a being that would recognise and adore its creator. 'The Complete One' was not convinced, but he gave his daughter the choice of selecting a single world out of the universe and causing it to be inhabited by a rational being with the choice of whether to worship his creator or not. To assist her he gave her three divinities: Ptah with the power to use words to describe a creation, Atum with the power to bring the word to reality and Harakhte who could fly over the world and place the creations where they were required. Ma’at accepted the challenge…</span></span></span></i></span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><b><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Part two of five</span></span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘When Ma’at came to the world, she found it to be completely shrouded in thick grey fog and clouds. There was hardly any light and the moisture was dank and dark all about her. She asked Ptah what this thick blanket was called and he advised her that it was called ‘Nun’ and that it was the stuff of life that had not yet been ordered into being. It was merely a formless substance of air and moisture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘The first thing I intend to do,’ Ma’at decided, ‘is to bring order into this world. Order is fundamental to my own being and it is a requirement for any form of creation.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">She turned to Ptah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘I want you to name this moisture and this air and tell me their names.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘I name the air ‘Shu’ and I name the moisture ‘Tefnut’ and they shall be a god and a goddess,’ proclaimed Ptah.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at turned to Atum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘You will separate these two substances that have received their names.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDarAEHTvllQAUecFk2szuwt_FflMABk7D9qYKkDYB4w2cXCTsXG1gkc_ECHQmu5PHf8WwKCUj0EqK8O5aJipnz_imCjhDXvdRiW3SKhU9vpLKXjuGw-gr_8aZoGDoRnYkZ6D9YxYemA/s1600/SHU.JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 75px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDarAEHTvllQAUecFk2szuwt_FflMABk7D9qYKkDYB4w2cXCTsXG1gkc_ECHQmu5PHf8WwKCUj0EqK8O5aJipnz_imCjhDXvdRiW3SKhU9vpLKXjuGw-gr_8aZoGDoRnYkZ6D9YxYemA/s200/SHU.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470381659947381970" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIpJGyxJM0suuEL41aJ0-KqAUtM_ll03Z6cy5rfNWHz1MY9JLvEKt72qZ2YfwBf6jzJDjkZwxkIftzOl5tnc8n-D5m5JK7p-l3gKB_0tt5dJWO3xyOqYmtWhASsdJunD7ZvheJM_dRPo/s1600/TEFNUT.JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIpJGyxJM0suuEL41aJ0-KqAUtM_ll03Z6cy5rfNWHz1MY9JLvEKt72qZ2YfwBf6jzJDjkZwxkIftzOl5tnc8n-D5m5JK7p-l3gKB_0tt5dJWO3xyOqYmtWhASsdJunD7ZvheJM_dRPo/s200/TEFNUT.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470381117206695698" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Atum used the power of creation that he had received from ‘The Complete One’ and separated the god Shu and the goddess Tefnut so that the moisture became the seas and the rivers, and the air became the breeze and the wind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Harakhte flew over the whole world and he reported that the moisture and the air had been separated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">With the separation of the moisture and the air there came about a great wonder because Ma’at could now see the glory of her father’s creation. The great orange ball that shone with her father’s power now cast its light onto the world and the wonder of it was revealed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kFhDWnGMq9AvlHteedLXtS3zjckl8r5lZkQbtTJNRJ5qguW3XPT0ouSxnEQLIduj5-voaI-4g-eYHXCZtiROfHFqGBRhHLIMQfoMd3V6N0OCwPPrJUEaLzZa3dk1CuZS9ReuR5BAYGo/s1600/GEB.JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 56px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kFhDWnGMq9AvlHteedLXtS3zjckl8r5lZkQbtTJNRJ5qguW3XPT0ouSxnEQLIduj5-voaI-4g-eYHXCZtiROfHFqGBRhHLIMQfoMd3V6N0OCwPPrJUEaLzZa3dk1CuZS9ReuR5BAYGo/s200/GEB.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470380340252830914" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at could see above her and below and she said,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘What do I call this on which I stand and what do I call that which I see above me?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ptah replied to her question thus,</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘That which is below you and upon which you stand I will name ‘Geb’ and he will be the god of the Earth beneath your feet and that which you see above you I will name ‘Nut’ and she will be the goddess of the Sky above you. Geb and Nut will be known as the children of Shu and Tefnut. </span></span></p></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJLdK4fxng2yGv2RskzjbqkxEX-KYiKWsvo8FxTqb02e4ZXj27UzbFoLB6tEOcsC7pMXxFZGeUqb8CI7HOMmQZKJTnF7W3CAOHTuvmj9AH_MRbF0KbE9j9ViVlAv1tT5lfmQY76Oo9VE/s1600/NUT.JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJLdK4fxng2yGv2RskzjbqkxEX-KYiKWsvo8FxTqb02e4ZXj27UzbFoLB6tEOcsC7pMXxFZGeUqb8CI7HOMmQZKJTnF7W3CAOHTuvmj9AH_MRbF0KbE9j9ViVlAv1tT5lfmQY76Oo9VE/s200/NUT.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470380154936038434" /></a><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at looked up into the beautiful sky and she saw the glory of the great orange ball that hung in the sky and she enquired of Ptah for the name of the brilliant light.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">His name is ‘Ra’ and he shall be called the god of the Sun. It is Ra who will bring light and warmth to this world and allow life to exist and all that is living to grow and flourish.’</span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgY7HgV_M-U6F4b_pcLwQP888vS35unWE75zdIQNeG8ZyQsQYKofQIz-oM0G2G6j3sWGNMdF8A62NjDKPtLdIthgREduh8UUVM2uHHQKFB0fiziGFKQzatcnOvo3mjvAR1N7G6f3pQQU/s1600/RA+HARAKHTE.JPG.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 85px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgY7HgV_M-U6F4b_pcLwQP888vS35unWE75zdIQNeG8ZyQsQYKofQIz-oM0G2G6j3sWGNMdF8A62NjDKPtLdIthgREduh8UUVM2uHHQKFB0fiziGFKQzatcnOvo3mjvAR1N7G6f3pQQU/s200/RA+HARAKHTE.JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470374927911982098" /></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYzkGEfDUX9Su_k1f06zZvIrMOFZFYk8Js2Met4FyZmS8niseTa-wfAP5-xcf1KqgH0u9bHAvJ1ZsFvtgtdMYedm7qCu6HjE4YSamQpA_fdrkY9Yhym0UilXaOMKiXP2ROrev2eJdi5I/s1600/ATUM+RA+JPG.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 73px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYzkGEfDUX9Su_k1f06zZvIrMOFZFYk8Js2Met4FyZmS8niseTa-wfAP5-xcf1KqgH0u9bHAvJ1ZsFvtgtdMYedm7qCu6HjE4YSamQpA_fdrkY9Yhym0UilXaOMKiXP2ROrev2eJdi5I/s200/ATUM+RA+JPG.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470374645916931826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘Surely he will become weary of being high in the sky</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> all the time? </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Atum turned to Ma’at,</span></span></span><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘Ptah does not have the power to alter that which he has already named. That power is with me. I shall provide Ra with a golden barque upon which he can sail across the sky and Harakhte shall carry his symbol on his head so that he will rise in the eastern sky in the morning. Henceforth he shall be known as Ra-Harakhte. I will carry Ra to the western horizon when he is tired and weary in the evening and I shall be known as Atum-Ra.’</span></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘Ma’at saw that Geb, the god of the earth was very comely and his sister Nut, the goddess of the sky was very beautiful and they were enamoured with each other. They lay together in an embrace. But their father Shu, the god of the air was jealous of his daughter and he reached between them and separated them. He lifted Nut high above Geb so that they might not touch each other, except at their toes and finger-tips, which is where the sky meets the earth at the horizon. The sky was thus separated from the earth by the air.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">'The Complete One' looked upon the works of his daughter Ma’at and was pleased with what he saw, for the world was now a beautiful place. The earth was complete with its mountains and its deserts, watered by the seas and the Rivers, warmed by the sun and cooled by the breeze under the beauty of the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Once more Ma’at turned to Ptah. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘The earth and the sky are beautiful,’ she said, ‘but when the barque of Ra disappears below the western horizon at night and darkness sets in, nothing can be seen of its beauty. I wish you to name a light for the night to alleviate the darkness.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ptah did as he was asked and he named the light of the night the Moon. Atum-Ra forged the moon from silver and Ra-Harakhte carried it high into the night sky where it rested among the stars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at called again upon the divinity of Ptah that he might name the time that Ra crossed the heavens and returned again to the eastern horizon. Ptah considered the time and he named it a ‘day’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now the earth and the sky were fully formed. Ma’at instructed Ptah to start naming the plants and the animals and the fish and the insects. Ma’at allowed her imagination to range free as she described each creature to Ptah. Some were huge and some were so small that only the magical eye of Ra-Harakhte could see them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The ages went by as Ptah named all the creatures and Atum-Ra created whatsoever Ptah instructed and Ra-Harakhte placed them in different lands. Sometimes Ma’at decided that which she had imagined was inadequate and she instructed Ptah to change the creature into a more pleasing shape. On occasions the outcome of Ma’at’s imagination was so unsatisfactory that she had to instruct Atum-Ra to reverse the process of creation and to destroy the creature. Finally, after eons of time had passed, the earth was full of all kinds of plants and animals and Ma’at was satisfied.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at spoke to Ptah. ‘According to the power given to you by 'The Complete One', I now wish you to give a name to the entity that will inhabit this world and give honour to my father for his creation.’</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But Ptah could not do what Ma’at asked him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘It is true that I have the power to name anything and having named it, it will exist but what you ask is impossible even for a god. I cannot name something that I cannot imagine, and you have given me no description of the entity you want me to create.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at understood the problem for she realised that in truth she did not know how such an entity should look or how it should behave. She spoke to her father,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘I wish to create an entity to give you adoration for your works, but I cannot do so because I lack the wisdom to imagine its form and shape.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Complete One replied to his daughter’s plea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘I will send you my wisdom in the form of the god Thoth that he may help you in this matter.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QWBDelyC2FcHl1Vg192wCGcY-wZ171PzbqaZuLGfDyXsmtMIJ5OHr18Vj0hEythu1v51UCeQvnMSVHJ17rGwUzoLxjDJDME58FchDZsP__sfW2iIKOS1yi67kRLfHKUBbXCzeLoiLk8/s1600/thoth_01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 117px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QWBDelyC2FcHl1Vg192wCGcY-wZ171PzbqaZuLGfDyXsmtMIJ5OHr18Vj0hEythu1v51UCeQvnMSVHJ17rGwUzoLxjDJDME58FchDZsP__sfW2iIKOS1yi67kRLfHKUBbXCzeLoiLk8/s200/thoth_01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470373465862875026" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The god Thoth immediately appeared on the earth before Ma’at. He was in the form of the sacred ibis bird, with a long, curved beak and large eyes, with beautiful black and white plumage. He carried the staff of millions of years and round his neck hung a scribe’s block and brushes. Thoth was the god of wisdom and he also controlled time, keeping a continuous record of all events that took place in the totality of creation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Before they considered the creation of an entity to populate the world, Thoth spoke to Ma’at.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">‘It is in my divine duty and my nature to count and record time. There is no measure of time on this world other than day which is the time that Ra crosses the sky and returns through the underworld to the eastern horizon once more. Beyond that you have not caused Ptah to call upon the name of time.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ma’at agreed and called on Ptah to give names to the concept of time. Ptah determined that thirty days would be called one month and that four months would be one season and three seasons would be called one year. Each year would therefore comprise three hundred and sixty days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Thoth and Ma’at sat under a Persea Tree for ten thousand years and to compose the entity that would inhabit the world.’…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p></div></div></div></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-530385871838153136.post-75051681403034793722010-05-09T05:10:00.000-07:002010-05-10T08:52:11.658-07:00<div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:-34.7pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"></span></span></b></p><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:center; text-indent:18.0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black;"></span></b></p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">In the Beginning </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style=" ;font-size:14.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i><span style="font-size:10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The ancient Egyptians had more than one religious precept when it came to the origin of the world. Each cult centre proposed its own creation myth. The particular version people believed depended on the period and the region in which they lived. The various stories of creation had one common element. They were all based on the belief that originally there was a dark nothingness which developed, through divine intervention into the world they knew and into a netherworld that they would come to know in their afterlife. The myths are known by the cult centres and regions in which they predominated. The cult of Ra, the sun god came from Iunu (or </span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Heliopolis</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">), the cult of Ptah from Men-nefer (or </span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Memphis</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">), the Theban myth from Waset (or </span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Thebes</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> now </span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Luxor</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">) and so forth. While using the basic legend, the following is an imaginative variation of one of the ancient Egyptian creation stories. It is taken from the book “Pharaoh Ay Remembers” by Anthony Holmes published in 2008.</span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><i><span style=" ;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></span></span></i></p><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div><b><span style="color:black;"><b><b><span style="color:black;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color:black;"><b><b><span style="color:black;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Part One of Five</span></span></span></p></b></span></b></b></span></b></div><div><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div>In the beginning, 'The Complete One' reached out from the vastness of his realm, across an immeasurable distance, through the barrier of time to a place that had not yet come to be.</span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There, as his pleasure dictated he placed an infinitesimal drop of his glorious essence in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">empty nothingness. That drop of divinity, pregnant with his power, exploded with incandescent radiance and in an instant it converted the nothingness into a star-studied sky.</span></span></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Time, which is the measure of the parade of all the events that were to follow, began at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">precise instant of that creation. </span></span></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><p></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'The Complete One' looked at the result of his pleasure and beheld its beauty.</span></span></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></span><p></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 24px;"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span><p></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></span></span><p></p></b></span></span></b></b></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b></b></span></span></b></span></span></p><b><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin-right: 46.3pt; text-indent: 18pt; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Complete One' summoned his daughter Ma’at, the one he called his ‘Eye’ to behold the vision of his creation. It was she who was imbued with the spirit of truth, justice and order. Ma’at gazed in rapture at the inestimable constellations that sparkled and spun in the blackness. Within each constellation she saw the countless suns that shone with the raw energy of her father.</span></span></p></b></span></span></b><p></p><p></p></b><p></p></span></span></b><p></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzTcEceAtx90lxS8q9F4HDX0UY05Tks5NSDdaOWygppFNR7rTpBHgZ7hr4mBYOAm1KjgygE5dJmUNqsnnaMeVDMci09xZQoZH1xB9kczE2AfRoFRmNdJCKEIOtarwIsHVGNQte_t7jlI/s1600/Maata.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzTcEceAtx90lxS8q9F4HDX0UY05Tks5NSDdaOWygppFNR7rTpBHgZ7hr4mBYOAm1KjgygE5dJmUNqsnnaMeVDMci09xZQoZH1xB9kczE2AfRoFRmNdJCKEIOtarwIsHVGNQte_t7jlI/s200/Maata.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469249793270391986" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-34.7pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"></span></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘Father, you have created a truly wonderful thing,’ she exclaimed, ‘but what do you intend to do with it other than to appreciate its glory?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'The Complete One' asked her,<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘Is it not sufficient that it exists, to be gazed upon when I wish to be diverted?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Ma’at considered her father’s proposition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘You know that I may speak only the truth, so I have the temerity to say to you that what you propose is not enough. You have made a great wonder, but apart from you, who is there to admire your handiwork and to venerate you for the divine magic of your creation?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Her father smiled and in his deep, echoing voice replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘But I am complete unto myself. I do not need the admiration or adoration of another. Were I to create some entity to pay me homage, it would be an act of self-worship and thus would be a mockery’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Once again Ma’at weighed her father’s argument in the balance of her mind, for it was in her nature to examine both sides of every proposition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘What if you were to create an entity and grant it the power of choice?’ she asked her father. ‘Such a being could decide whether to adore you or not.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'The Complete One' smiled at his daughter’s suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘If I were to create such a being, would its decision be founded upon sound reasoning and understanding, or perhaps on its inability to distinguish between what is a true wonder and what is not?’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘That would depend on whether it was instilled with an appreciation of beauty, an understanding of right and a passion for truth,’ responded Ma’at immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'The Complete One' pondered his daughter’s words, for he knew they were the words of truth. Eons passed while he considered the quandary she had posed.’</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Finally 'The Complete One' spoke to Ma’at.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘I have come to a decision. I will allow you to choose just one of the incalculable numbers of worlds I have created. On that world I will cause to be placed certain beings having the ability to choose whether or not to admire my creation and adore my divinity. Your challenge will be to ensure that these beings are filled with your own attributes of truth, justice and order, so that their response to my work may be fair, honest and just.’</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ma’at looked into the infinity that her father had created. She examined the great groups of suns that spun and jostled and followed their paths through the blackness. She studied the myriad of worlds that floated in the sea of darkness. She sought a gathering of suns and worlds that would reflect the innate balance of her own nature. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Finally, after ages had passed she found a mass of twinkling lights in the shape of a double spiral. One arm of the spiral seemed to balance the other in the black void, as the pans of a beam scale balance each other. In one of the spiral’s arms she found a small orange sun that spurted and spluttered with her father’s energy. When she studied the worlds that paid obeisance to this sun she gasped at the beauty of what she had found. A beautiful blue-white sphere nestled in the blackness like a precious gem as it revolved around its orange sun.’</span></span></p><p></p></span></span></span><p></p></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtizSCjPYZ4M9n4w-ihUUmdL3bfZf2YIrw4q4IllYAIXHrGLMgKhsa8FaQWPCvgEme20yaWzszDp7gLdErTTn6sjTXpuQHTH9UQH353uTa2rEwKx9nuP6pnK6iowmTF6jVZf_PoSMDCfo/s1600/Earth.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 100px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtizSCjPYZ4M9n4w-ihUUmdL3bfZf2YIrw4q4IllYAIXHrGLMgKhsa8FaQWPCvgEme20yaWzszDp7gLdErTTn6sjTXpuQHTH9UQH353uTa2rEwKx9nuP6pnK6iowmTF6jVZf_PoSMDCfo/s200/Earth.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469248826433534866" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:-34.7pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"></span></span></span></p><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> ‘Ma’at looked closely at the beautiful sphere. It was shrouded in mist and clouds. It was a secret place where she could grapple with the challenge her father had given her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘Father, I have chosen.’ she whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘It is a strange choice, my daughter, for the world you have chosen is not large, nor does it occupy an important position among the stars. But the choice is yours and I will not dispute it. </span></span></p><p></p></span></span></span><p></p><div> <div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 84px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MsqkxO1ANOxJf6oGqTpCOvTM4GPqAMuhLeSW2jmR3cEvgYnQTtgrcMKVXVvlN9bZIHpxgtKF_lXOTcAsVNbtxOSZD3R5lchUwEoacSrh5DvK6FSY67h2AoMeleLucHUBUOt7ok4NDIM/s200/PTAH+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469243274673195538" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I will now assign certain of my powers to you to enable you to fulfil the challenge that awaits you.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Complete One brought forward a divinity, a god tightly swaddled in a linen shroud with only his head and hands free. On his head he wore a blue skull-cap and in his hands he carried three staffs of divine power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘This is Ptah, the power of my word. Ptah will speak the words that will name everything. Once an object is named by him, it will exist. But Ptah is tightly bound so that he does not have the freedom to undertake anything other than that which is my wish.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'The Complete One' then brought forward a second divinity.</span></span></p></span></div></span></div><div><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdo8zAJBbfa2I38bhO1GSIPCCz-mIAPN8T_QonRMGMXQd7Sfqzb4dpCo-Em177mfPUNOirFVyyEOjxdf-wCRQ9I5FHY1nBBxh0FMw5Jwl1v0e-z16YxrKu9tL7A-wTPn22HivxoGzzJc/s200/ATUM+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469242987452201730" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘This is Atum, the active power of my creation who will hear the words of Ptah and transform the words into reality. He is a mighty god, but he is constrained to keep his feet on the ground, for he may not roam anywhere he wishes without my permission.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Atum stepped forward. He was a powerful deity with a well developed physique and strong arms. He wore a strange crown and carried the staff of transformation in his hand.</span></span></p></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_xx0j6IG2bRmf5Lvhrxa8n8DKHWlT-UISJYRXMhPhUq1Mg6DDFBAwaYNkv69njWE0ecg4K-cRUsKNpZUnSEng3ykU66bpK4liL4D4DVXsQkXBQM6Qlbj2B69ofeW7sedM33IgnDYVk/s1600/HARAKHTE+JPG.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 200px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR_xx0j6IG2bRmf5Lvhrxa8n8DKHWlT-UISJYRXMhPhUq1Mg6DDFBAwaYNkv69njWE0ecg4K-cRUsKNpZUnSEng3ykU66bpK4liL4D4DVXsQkXBQM6Qlbj2B69ofeW7sedM33IgnDYVk/s200/HARAKHTE+JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469241867425470562" /></a><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-size:medium;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style=" ;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘Finally I will place under your control the god called Harakhte. He has been given the one ability that both Ptah and Atum lack. He can fly anywhere and carry the word of Ptah and the active power of Atum wherever you require it to be applied.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style=" ;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Harakhte was a god with the head of a bird and like the other two gods he carried a staff of power.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style=" ;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">‘Go my daughter. Take my powers with you in the form of these three gods. Take them to the world you have chosen and do that which my challenge requires of you. Should you require my help or guidance merely call me and I will respond.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:46.3pt;text-align:justify;text-indent: 18.0pt"><span style=" ;font-size:10pt;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And with those words, Ma’at and her three divine accomplices left the realm of 'The Complete One' and entered our world…’<o:p></o:p></span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330033;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tony Holmeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08165932601652674609noreply@blogger.com0