theralsilca: Memphis

The Mystery of the Obelisk

ARCHIVE 8/04/2569

The Mystery of the Obelisk

Ancient Egyptian obelisks are tall tapering structures made of sandstone or granite. Their surfaces are inscribed with hieroglyphs depicting stories of gods and pharaohs. These types of obelisks were often erected in honor of gods such as Amun and are frequently found at the Karnak Temple or Luxor Temple in Egypt. Hatshepsut's Obelisk made of red granite is located at the Karnak Temple in Egypt. The bas-relief carving at the top of the obelisk depicts Pharaoh Hatshepsut in male royal attire performing a ceremony with the god Amun crowning her.

The Obelisk of Theodosius an ancient Egyptian stone pillar is located in Sultanahmet Square also known as the Hippodrome in Istanbul. It was erected for Pharaoh Tutmose III in the 15th century BC.

Thutmose III of ancient Egypt the sixth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty is revered as... Known as the "Napoleon of Egypt" for his outstanding military prowess and extensive empire expansion the Obelisk of Theodosius stands in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul Turkey. Originally constructed in the 15th century BC for Pharaoh Tutmose III at the Karnak Temple in Egypt it was later moved to Constantinople. The pink granite column is inscribed with delicate and relatively well-preserved hieroglyphs.

The Luxor Obelisk located in Place de la Concorde in Paris France is an ancient granite obelisk over 3,300 years old

which was moved from the Luxor Temple in Egypt.

The enigma of the ancient Egyptians is how they dragged massive square pointed stone pillars across the Nile River and erected them in front of various temples without machinery. The techniques of quarrying hard granite with copper tools moving pillars weighing hundreds of tons the ancient stone cutting process using wedges and dripping water a truly amazing transportation method and the stories and praises of the gods especially the sun god Ra all contribute to the mystery of these unfinished pillars.

"Tekhen" or obelisk represents light and prosperity and was used to record the names of pharaohs as well as mythology and hieroglyphic inscriptions. Today famous obelisks stand around the world. These ancient Egyptian architectural structures feature tall tapering rectangular columns topped with pyramids, constructed from a single piece of granite to worship the sun god Ra Symbols of power and victory during the Roman Empire obelisks associated with power and the gods the Bennu bird the origin of the phoenix legend communicating with the heavens.

The Tomb of Wahty the Priest of Saqqara

Amarnafeatures 7/30/2569

Pharaoh Ramses III A Powerful Warrior

ARCHIVE 7/21/2569

Pharaoh Ramses III A Powerful Warrior

Ramses III was a powerful warrior pharaoh. Bas-reliefs depict the pharaoh slaying his enemies. The image shows the mighty and powerful warrior king subduing adversaries on walls battling seafarers or pirates. In the eighth year of his reign Ramses III subdued sea enemies near the Mediterranean coast who attempted to invade Egypt from its eastern land borders. Until the fall of Mycenae and the beginning of the Trojan War Ramses III also faced battles with the Libyans near Egypt's western borders as well as defending the Egyptians from invasions and attempts at settlement by seafarers or pirates until many people migrated from the vicinity. Pharaoh Ramses III again subdued Egypt's sea enemies.

The statue depicts Pharaoh Ramses III between the gods Horus and Seth a 20th Dynasty granite sculpture from Medinaet Habu. It stands approximately 195 centimeters tall and is currently on display at the Egyptian Museum. Pharaoh Ramses III is centered between the gods Horus and Seth who are performing the coronation ceremony for the pharaoh.

The image of Ramses as a conquering king dominates historical thought but an equally important image of the king is that of a religious ruler who submits to the will of the gods a tradition accepted by the dynasty. In contrast his religious texts present the idea of a devout king son of the gods and a god-first worshipper. He was humble and driven by a desire to serve the gods and submit to divine will reflecting the emergence of a powerful new religion unique to ancient Egyptian dynastic literature.

The pink granite sarcophagus of Pharaoh Ramses III of the 20th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. The surface of the sarcophagus is carved with texts from the "Book of Amduat" on the outside and the "Book of Gates" on the inside. The sarcophagus weighs approximately 18 tons and is currently housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Ramese III was a powerful warrior pharaoh. Bas-reliefs depict the pharaoh slaying enemies images show the mighty and powerful warrior king subduing adversaries on walls fighting seafarers or pirates. In the eighth year of his reign Ramese III subdued sea enemies near the Mediterranean coast who attempted to invade Egypt from its eastern land borders. Until the fall of Mycenae and the beginning of the Trojan War Ramese III also faced battles with the Libyans near Egypt's western borders as well as defending

The Egyptians from invasions and attempts at settlement by seafarers or pirates until many people migrated from nearby areas. Pharaoh Ramese III once again subdued Egypt's sea enemies. Ramese III succeeded an empire that was severely plagued by economic and social problems and threatened by major political changes occurring in the ancient Near East. However his reign is notable for significant social and cultural transformations in Egyptian society particularly important religious developments in the relationship between people and gods.

The Black Pharaoh's Pyramid of the Kush Dynasty

Alexandria 7/21/2569

The Black Pharaoh's Pyramid of the Kush Dynasty

The Meroe Pyramids located in Sudan are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site comprises over 200 ancient pyramids built by the Kingdom of Kush. These pyramids are characterized by their smaller size and steeper slopes compared to the pyramids of Egypt. Efforts are currently underway to protect this cultural heritage site amidst ongoing conflicts in the region. Southern cultures gradually replaced Egyptian cultural heritage. The pharaohs of the Kush dynasty migrated south to the savannas of Sudan and established their capital at Meroe. In terms of the afterlife northern cemeteries at Meroe during the 3rd and 4th centuries BC became the focus.

The Pyramids of Meroe located in northeastern Sudan are Nubian-style pyramids that are narrower and steeper than typical Egyptian pyramids. These pyramids served as ancient tombs for the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Cush.

It is believed that due to the existence of earthly life in the past the construction of large tombs as permanent dwellings for the dead reflected the earthly status of the pharaoh son of Amun-Ra the sun god. His life followed a cycle akin to the rising and setting of the sun and his union with the gods in heaven at night a stairway to paradise. Beneath these tombs a burial site was discovered in a cemetery near the ancient city of Kematon in Sudan. These pyramids are over 2,000 years old and date back to the reign of the kingdom known as Kush in Sudan. Some pyramids were not built as tombs some are buried beneath simple rectangular structures called mastabas some have stone stacks on top called tumulis while others show no signs of burial.

The Pyramids of Meroe located in Sudan and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site were built by the Kingdom of Kush approximately 2,700 to 2,300 years ago. They are Nubian-style pyramids characterized by their narrower and steeper slopes compared to typical Egyptian pyramids.

A large steep pyramid stands at the very top. The pyramids symbolizing the stairway to heaven were lavishly decorated. A small chapel on the east side was used for offerings to deceased pharaohs and as a place for prayer and funeral ceremonies. The chapel doors overlooking the sunrise illuminated the altar in the back wall. During the late Middle Kingdom the Black pharaohs of the Kush dynasty ceased pyramid construction.

The cave tombs with their underground chambers and passages symbolized the nighttime dwelling of the sun god. The 223 pyramids in Nubia exceed those in Egypt by 16. The pyramids have three main sections each containing an underground tomb symbolizing the underworld where mummies lie. The mummies of pharaohs and queens were placed on beds according to the ancient Kerma tradition filled with small statues of people destined to be resurrected by the gods.