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Sun over Pyramid
One of the most popular explanations
for why the ancient Egyptian kings built their tomb monuments in the
shape of a pyramid is that it symbolizes the rays of the sun descending
to earth. This picture captures that concept exactly. |
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Luxor Temple There
are two major temples on the east bank of ancient Thebes (modern Luxor).
The smaller of the two was completed by Ramses II, but the work of his
predecessor Amenhotep III is of superior quality. The Avenue of
Sphinxes led 2 miles north to the Temple of Karnak. |
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Ramses II Six
statues of Ramses II were constructed by the ruler at the front of the
Luxor Temple. The facade of the temple was built by Ramses II and
decorated with a depiction of the Battle of Kadesh, of which Ramses was
most proud. Most historians however believe that Ramses II was
unsuccessful in this conflict with the Hittites. |
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The Philistines A
group of seven Sea Peoples invaded Egypt in the days of Ramses III.
On his mortuary temple at Medinet Habu, the pharaoh had depicted his
successful land and sea battles against these migrant peoples. One
of these groups, the Philistines, settled on the southern coast of Canaan
and became famous through the biblical record. This picture is one
of the best we've ever seen of the depiction of the Philistines. |
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Sailing on the Nile River The
5th c. B.C. Greek historian Herodotus declared that Egypt is the
"gift of the Nile." He simply stated what all have always
known to be true: without the Nile, there is no Egypt. Where the Nile
overflows its banks, the land is green; where it stops, the desert
begins. Ancient Egyptians didn’t have a name for this river; it was
simply known as al-taru, or "the river." The ancient
Greeks called it the Nile. The total length of the river is 4,000
miles, of which only 900 miles is in the modern country of Egypt. |
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Nile River Sunset
We're
not sure what teaching value there is to this picture, but perhaps it has
some therapeutic benefit. Imagine yourself sitting on the shore of
the Nile with a cold drink in hand and no worries. If there aren't
some pesky locals around trying to sell you something, then you know it's
not real. |
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