History

Pharaonic Relics from Egypt As the Great Sphinx, which was erected by the ancient Egyptians to serve as a protector and overseer of the pleated Giza, is the focus of numerous myths and legends, it is crucial to your 2020 Egypt & Nile cruise adventure. Some of the most asked concerns are the meaning of the Sphinx, what it represents, and how the Great Sphinx was constructed.

Sphinx: What does that mean?

The term “sphinx” is not just associated with the ancient Egyptians; it was also used to describe creatures that looked similar in Greece and South and Southeast Asia. These creatures had the winged body of a lion and the head of a human. It is quite impossible to ascertain the ruins’ original name. This is mostly due to the fact that it is absent from all Old Kingdom inscriptions. Nearly 2000 years after the agreed-upon construction date and the rules of classical antiquity, the Sphinx received its current name. The name is derived from a beast from Greek mythology that had an eagle’s wings, a woman’s head, and a lion’s body. The head of a man is used in place of wings in the ancient Egyptian form. The enormous Sphinx As the Greek sphinx strangles anyone who cannot solve a riddle, the English word for comes from Greek and means “strangle.” The Arabic moniker “Abu al-Haul,” which translates to “the awful one,” is another well-known one.

How was the Big Sphinx constructed?

20 metres from the bottom of its skull to the top of its head and 19 metres across the back of its hips make up the sphinx’s enormous height. The building is thought to have been constructed during the time of Pharaoh Khafre in the Old Kingdom. The Giza Plateau, which also included the Pyramids of Giza and was used as a quarry, is where the Sphinx was cut into the bedrock. The body of the modern Sphinx was progressively constructed from layers of monetary limestone, each with a varied resistance to weathering. This enormous building measures 73 metres (240 feet) from head to tail, 20 metres (66 feet) high from base to crown, and 19 metres (62 feet) wide at the end.

Regarding who built this historic wonder of the world, there are numerous theories and hypotheses. Everyone does, however, concur that the Great Sphinx was constructed circa 2500 BC. for Pharaoh Kefre, built. The aforementioned Sphinx-Kefle relationship has some supporting evidence. The design resemblance to the Valley Temple and the upside-down figure of Khefre, among other pieces of nearby evidence, are proof of this.

 

The Giza Necropolis was abandoned and neglected at some unknown time, and the Sphinx was eventually buried head-to-head in the sand. This persisted until Thutmose IV’s earliest recorded excavations, which took place around 1400 BC. The Dream Stele, a granite block, was placed between his two front legs after much digging was required to free them. Ramesses carried out another another excavation, followed by a second excavation, and by the beginning of 1887 the chest, feet, altar, and the entire Giza Plateau had been dug and were all visible.

An engineer employed by the Egyptian government made the last repairs to the Great Sphinx in 1931. The neck had been considerably eroded, and a portion of the headpiece was broken. The bear and the nose are two further components of the Sphinx that are missing. The removal of the sphinx’s nose was thought to have been caused by a cannon shot by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops. Al-Makrizi, an Arab historian, believes that Mohammed Salim al-Dar had the nose cut off because he regarded it as an act of iconoclasm.

Regarding who built this historic wonder of the world, there are numerous theories and hypotheses. All believe, however, that the Great Sphinx was constructed approximately 2500 BC. for Pharaoh Kefre, built. The relationship between Kefre and the Sphinx, which was previously mentioned, is supported by certain evidence. The design resemblance to the Valley Temple and the upside-down figure of Khefre, among other pieces of nearby evidence, are proof of this.

How can you Visit the Sphinx?

You can visit the Great Sphinx in Giza, during your tour in Cairo, Also you can visit if you are in Luxor by an over day to Cairo with flight, for example, you can do your Hot Air Balloon flight with Balloon over Luxor company, then go to Luxor Airport to fly to Cairo, so you can visit the Great Sphinx in Giza, Pyramids in Giza and Egyptian Museum, Later back again to Cairo Airport to fly back to Luxor.

Ramesses II was one of the most well-known Egyptian rulers to reign during Egypt’s golden age. He was Egypt’s 19th dynasty’s third-most powerful pharaoh. Prince Ramses was crowned by King Seti I, and he was succeeded by Ramses II. “Prince of Egypt” Ramses was given a house and a harem, and before becoming king, he served alongside his father in military operations where he earned valuable military and regal experience.

Ramses II, who is he?

One of Egypt’s most powerful and well-respected pharaohs during its golden age was Ramesses II. He was Egypt’s 19th Dynasty’s third-most powerful pharaoh. Prince Ramses was crowned by King Seti I, and he was succeeded by Ramses II.
He has conducted a number of trips and is committed to achieving his objectives. He was given the moniker “sovereign of rulers” for this, which mirrored his vision of a powerful country. Because of this, history buffs refer to him as “Ramesses the Great.” Moreover, throughout his 66-year rule, Egypt was at its pinnacle of strength and splendor.

Ramesses II Family and Youth

The amount of women and kids this great pharaoh had is another thing that makes him well-known. Although historians are unable to pinpoint an exact figure, some contend that it was more likely 162 kids. Ramses, Merneptah, Meritamen, Nebettawy, Khaemweset, and Amun-her-khepeshef (Nefertari’s firstborn) are only a few of the well-known children.

Around 1303 BC J.-C., Ramesses II was born in an Egyptian peasant household. He was the child of Queen Tuya and Pharaoh Sethi I. Ramses is named after his military hero grandfather Ramses I, who turned his commoner family into royalty.

Ramses was schooled and trained by his father while growing up in the Egyptian court. Because Ramesses’ father became pharaoh while he was just five years old, he was granted this honor.

Ramesses currently has an older brother who is in the process of succeeding him as pharaoh. He passed away, nevertheless, when Ramses was around 14 years old. Ramses II was thus named second in command of his father’s military operations and was immediately set to succeed him as pharaoh of Egypt.

Ramesses wed Nefertari, his first and most cherished wife, after taking the throne. She rose to prominence on her own and was given the title of the pharaoh’s royal bride. The royal couple had at least four sons, two daughters, and maybe more children throughout their marriage.

At the age of 25, Ramesses was crowned pharaoh of Egypt in 1279 BC following the death of his father. He was renowned for his superb leadership of the Egyptian army. He was able to engage in bloody combat to protect the Egyptian border against the Nubians, Syrians, Libyans, and Hittites as a result.

The Sherden Pirates, who posed a serious threat to ancient Egypt’s marine operations, were apprehended by Ramesses in 1281 BC A.D. Ramses was determined to put a stop to it with heroic bravery and a comprehensive strategic strategy. He set up ships and troops at strategic coastal locations and patiently awaited a pirate attack. They were deftly trapped in a violent naval combat as their craft neared.

1274 BC , At the conclusion of his fourth year in power, Ramesses began a military operation to retake the absconded northern regions. At that time, the young king led a little force of 20,000 soldiers in battle with an impressive Hittite force of 50,000. It continues to be one of the earliest wars in history that has been written about.

Ramses was the war’s greatest hero despite the fact that the combat was unresolved (it is unknown who won or lost). He put up a valiant fight, evaded death in a fight to the death, and took back the enemy’s stolen capital.

BEST BUILDINGS, RULES, AND CONSTRUCTIONS OF RAMSES

Ramses II was a skilled builder who had a deep love for the subject. He constructed and repaired numerous structures, temples, and monuments over the course of his 66-year rule.

The enormous temples at Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum are two of his most well-known creations. In terms of scale, design, and complexity, these two monuments reflect a fresh approach to architecture. What else; The enormous statue of Ramses himself is the one thing that these two temples have in common.

The beauty of the Abu Simbel Temple, which was constructed in Nubia in Aswan southern Egypt, is still evident today. At the entrance to Abu Simbel, there are four enormous statues of the mighty Ramses II, each standing at a height of around 20 metres. The Ramesseum temple, which was built on the banks of the Nile, is regarded as Ramses’s mortuary temple.

Along with these temples, Ramses also constructed Pi-Ramses, the new Egyptian capital. The city developed a number of enormous temples, a vast palace complex, and extraordinary infrastructure as the king’s rule went on.

The Ramses II Temples

Numerous temples were built by King Ramses the Great. The first is the Abu Simbel Temple, which was immortalised by the great Egyptian gods as a temple unto itself. The Little Temple of His Wife Nefertari, the Ramesseum Mortuary Temple, the Delta Temple of Pi Ramses, and the Great Temple of Karnak are some further temples.

A residential community called “Per Ramessu,” which translates to “house of Ramses, Biblical Ramses,” was established because the Ramses II family’s home was situated in the Nile Delta. His city is well known for its lovely waterfalls, orchards, and gardens.

Ramesses II lived a very long life, especially for the time he did. He had numerous wives and children when he passed away at the age of 90, but his lengthy life and lengthy reign as king allowed him to leave behind a significant building legacy.

Many of Egypt’s most iconic structures are attributed to Ramses the Great, including the Ramesseum, a massive memorial temple at Luxor, West Bank, and the well-known temples of Abu Simbel, which marked the southern limit of his reign. Additionally, he added or refurbished a number of other well-known sites, which you can see it from your Hot Air Balloon flight with Balloon over Luxor company, during your tours in Luxor.

Ramesses II did not construct the Luxor Temple in downtown Luxor, but his achievements are depicted in reliefs and sculptures that were added during the remodeling. He also contributed to the construction of the Karnak temple complex and left shell casings on countless other structures to claim them as a part of his legacy. Another notable structure is his huge statue, which can be found in Memphis, close to Cairo, as well as his wife Nefertiti’s exquisite tomb in the Valley of the Queens.

King Ramses II passed away when?

Ramses’ reins gradually came to an end, as with all wonderful things. He was initially buried in KV7 in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Thebes when he passed away at the age of 90 from “arthritis.” Ramses was a magnificent ruler and a powerful monarch who gained fame around the world for extending and upholding the realm of Egypt.

Later, in 1881, it was found again in a hidden royal treasure in Deir el-Bahri. The famous pharaoh’s mummy was then put in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo in 1885, where it remained until 2007.

The British Museum in London houses a statue of Pharaoh Ramses II known as the Young Memnon. This statue, which dates to around 1250 BC, shows him as a heroic warrior and benign ruler throughout history.

 

King Tutankhamun tomb (1336–1327 BC) is the only relatively intact royal tomb discovered in the Valley of the Kings and is well-known worldwide. The world’s attention was drawn to Howard Carter’s discovery in 1922 and continued after the tomb’s gold artifacts and other opulent finds were displayed. The discovery of the tombs is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made. The tombs and the wealth they contain are a symbol of Egypt.

Despite the wealth it held, Tutankhamun’s tomb number 62 in the Valley of the Kings is extremely modest compared to other tombs in size and ornamentation. This is most likely due to the fact that Tutankhamun only held the throne for a total of around nine years after ascending to it at a young age. The much larger graves of kings may make you wonder what treasures they contain. Additionally, Ramesses II was once detained.

The burial chamber’s only decorative surfaces are its walls. Tutankhamun’s tomb has Amduat, unlike other early and late royal tombs, which are lavishly embellished with tomb texts like Amduat and the Book of Gates, which assisted the late king reach the afterlife. There is only one scene shown. The remainder of the tomb’s ornamentation shows Tutankhamun being buried among numerous gods.

The tiny size of Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62) has generated a lot of conjecture. High official Ai, his successor, was buried in Tutankhamun’s Tomb after passing away (KV23). The grave of Ai’s successor Haremheb was subject to the same defense (KV57). If so, it’s not known for whom the later Tutankhamun tomb KV62 was carved, but it has been asserted that it already existed, maybe as a private burial or as a storehouse that was later expanded to make place for the king.

Whatever the cause, the tomb was extremely crammed with the roughly 5,000 objects that were discovered within due to its limited size. Tutankhamun would have utilized objects like clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, incense, furniture, chairs, toys, vessels made of diverse materials, chariots, and weaponry daily. These items represent the royal lifestyle.

One of history’s greatest ironies is that Tutankhamun, a very small king who was forgotten due to his relationship with the unpopular King Akhenaten, outranked many of Egypt’s legendary kings.

The Noble Tombs break from this pattern, making them unique among Luxor’s other West Bank sites. Administrators, governors, and other significant members of the nobility are honored in each of these tombs, which were cut into the rocky slopes between the Ramesseum and the Temple of Hatshepsut.

 

In the temples and royal tombs of Luxor, the triumphant pictures of the triumphant pharaohs and the representations of perpetual life after death tend to be monotonous. A visit to an aristocratic mausoleum (or worker’s village) may be appropriate if you have visited enough temples.
A more modest representation of these officials’ daily activities and jobs can be found in their tombs. The naturalistic portrayals of the world and common problems are refreshing and help you comprehend what life was like in ancient Egypt.

The nobility’s tombs are less prominent than the royal tombs and other larger sites on the west bank of Luxor because of the limited number of visitors. Due to this, it can be a little challenging to explore without a guide, but it’s a great area to get away from the Valley of the Kings and other crowded major temple complexes.

you can have an enjoy an aerial view for the Nobles tomb during your Hot air Balloon flight with balloon over Luxor. book now and have an amazing memorable trip.

Ramesseum Temple is one of the most spectacular temples on the Nile’s West Bank in Luxor, only a few exist now. Several groupings of columns and damaged statues stand in a broad expanse of hills, pits, broken foundations, and statue rubble marking the location of the rest of the complex. Today, the reputation of this site is more directly linked to the reputation of the individual who commissioned it than to its appearance.

Who did Build Ramesseum temple?

Ramesses II is usually connected with numerous monuments in and around Luxor and further south. He was also a prolific builder who liked to increase his image by recycling existing monuments.
He was the greatest conqueror in Egyptian history, reigning for 67 years during the New Kingdom (1279 BC-1213 BC) and expanding the kingdom’s borders into southern, western, and northern Syria.

Natural disasters and eventually early Egyptian Christians using Ramesseum Temple as a church took a toll on this once-magnificent structure, although evidence of its grandeur can still be found today. His temple was dedicated to him and was to be the largest of all monuments, as a testament to his power and influence. amidst the dispersed wreckage.

The collapsed Colossus of Ramesses II is still visible there in ruins. This sculpture, which is nearly six floors tall, is one of his largest attempts worldwide and the largest freestanding sculpture in Egypt. Additionally striking is the decoration on the remaining columns in the Hypostyle Hall, which highlights the high level of craftsmanship used in the Ramesseum’s construction.
Even though there isn’t much left, the Ramesseum is a fascinating destination to see, especially for those curious about Ramesses II, the greatest of the pharaohs. The beautifully preserved Ramesses III temple complex at Medina Habo temple took design cues from this structure.

 

 

The Valley of the Queens appears to be a sun-drenched, rocky valley with simple stone gateways leading to the burial area, where tombs have been uncovered. The remains of the pharaohs’ wives were buried in ancient Egypt.

Where exactly is the Queens Valley?

It is located in Luxor, the Valley of the Queens, which, like the Valley of the Kings, is an Egyptian burial ground where over 90 tombs have been unearthed during excavations that are still ongoing today.

What is the purpose of the Valley of the Queens?

The Valley of the Queens was designed as a burial ground for ancient Egyptian queens, but it was also used to bury princes, princesses, and other aristocrats.

The ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife, and those who earned it would have endless life if all rituals were followed. Pharaohs and queens were buried with their treasures, clothing, and basic requirements such as food and drink because they felt their things would be required to enjoy the afterlife. Keeping their riches and valuables safe is critical, thus when building the Queen’s Valley burial, careful consideration was given to how to build the burial ground in a discreet manner to protect it. It protects the mummies from thieves and their belongings intact. once they wake up to eternal life.

The Valley of the Queens strategy is similar to that of the Valley of the Kings; the goal here is to conceal the tomb entrances, making them untargetable. However, the Valley of the Queen’s builders were unable to safeguard the Queen’s riches and goods. Although some of the decorations are still surprisingly well kept, when Schiaparelli discovered the graves in 1904, the valuables and goods were gone.

When was the Valley of the Queens constructed?

Queens and pharaohs’ wives were buried in the same tomb as their husbands in ancient Egypt, which altered at some point, explaining the creation of two valleys known as the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings.
The Valley of the Queens served as a burial ground from the 12th through the 19th and 20th Dynasties, beginning with the tomb of Princess Ahmose, daughter of King Seqenenre and Queen Sitdjehuti, which dates from the reign of King Thutmose I.

 

Medinat Habu Temple is regarded by many visitors as one of the most impressive sights they see in Luxor, despite not being one of the more popular attractions on the West Bank of Luxor. Especially when compared to the Ramesseum where it stands, this temple complex has been admirably preserved.

Although Ramses II, a more well-known pharaoh, built the Ramesseum, Ramses III’s Medinat Habu is a considerably more spectacular structure, with its pylon, many walls, and obvious original paint sculpted exterior.

Who did build Habu Temple?

The final legendary pharaoh of Egypt was Ramesses III, who ruled from 1184 to 1153 BC. Egypt experienced a protracted period of decline after his administration because, following the New Kingdom, it was governed by foreign nations throughout the majority of its history.

The burden of the prospect of invasion from numerous frontiers proved to be too strong after Ramesses II had fully enlarged the empire. The last pharaoh to be attributed with significant building initiatives—this temple complex being the most significant of them all—was Ramesses III.

Ramesses III (reigned 1184-1153 BC) was Egypt’s final great pharaoh. After his reign, Egypt experienced a long period of decline, as it was governed by foreign countries for the majority of its history following the New Kingdom. The burden of the threat of invasion from numerous boundaries was too severe once Ramesses II enlarged the empire to its utmost extent.
Ramesses III was the final pharaoh to be attributed with large architectural undertakings, the most noteworthy of which was this temple complex

Where exactly is the Luxor Temple?

Luxor Temple is one of the best still intact and is situated on the east bank of the Nile in Luxor, southern Egypt. The Luxor Temple, a breathtakingly exquisite monument in the center of contemporary Luxor, is a representation of ancient Egyptian culture.
It’s contrast to other Luxor temples, was devoted to the revival of kingship rather than to the worship of gods and divine representations of kings and pharaohs.

It’s possible that several kings were crowned at the Luxor Temple. He asserted that he had been crowned at Luxor, as Alexander the Great had been, in reality or metaphorically.
Ipet Resyt, which in Egyptian means Southern Sanctuary, is the name given to the Luxor Temple. Its primary purpose was to support the yearly Opet Festival. Amun, Mut, and Khonsu statues were brought here during the inundation from the Karnak Temple along Sphinx Street.

Who constructed the Temple?

One of ancient Egypt’s greatest master builders, Pharaoh Amenhotep III, constructed Luxor during the New Kingdom (1390–1352 BC), Tutankhamun (1336-27 BC), and Horemheb (1323-1295 BC). The temple was built by you, and it is now complete. Ramesse II (1279-13 BC).

Ramesses II probably ordered numerous constructions during his lengthy rule, with the Luxor Temple being only one of them. Ramesses II also used several ancient monuments for new purposes to further his fame. The majority of the statues and sculptures that adorn the temple now are Ramesses II’s creations.

What substance makes up the Luxor Temple?

The sandstone used to construct the Temple. The adobe walls that enclose the temple stand in for the division between the outside world and the divine realm. Many similar design elements were used in the construction of New Kingdom temples. Ity has numerous characteristics of New Kingdom temple design.