Tales of Egypt
Many of us have grown up with tales of Egypt. We imagine majestic sand dunes running infinitely in the desert with the shine of the sun reflecting over them. History tells of us desert empire, ruled by pharaohs, rich in culture and wealth. But how can an empire sitting in the middle of the desert archive such splendor and wealth that challenge any ancient Greek city? The answer is the Nile River. This river was subject of extreme symbolism to the Egyptian for thousand of years until this very day. Considered to be giver of life the Nile is referred by ancient writers as the embodiment of life.
Almost two years ago I found myself around the city of Cairo looking down from the bridge towards the Nile. While admiring the river I immediately understood why so many generations have described the Nile with such majestic qualities. There’s no description that is understated when you describe the second longest river in the world with a length of 4,160 miles and it stretch from Tasmania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya and Egypt. In the times of the pharaohs the agriculture around the Nile consisted of fertile ground that allow for the trade of wheat, flax and papyrus. All three of these are still today’s most important products traded in the same ancient Nile trade route. In my second day in the city of Cairo the driver took me to see a place papyrus paper is made using the same method of their ancient predecessors. This proves the subsisting relations between Egyptian culture and the Nile River.
The simply idea of finding water in the dessert is consider a blessing. But the Gods blessed Egypt with more than a source of water. Egypt had the Nile River the longest river the ancient world knew. And with this came abundance and prosperity for the Nile people as they were refer to in the ancient times prior to any dynasty of Pharaohs ruled. The location to one of the richest empire know by history was set.
But perhaps history will not be the same without the Nile River’s yearly flood. This natural event in other regions around the world will be considered a natural disaster. In contrast villagers, fisherman, and farmer expect Egypt annual flood with joy. This is remarkably important due to the fact that the flood is the reason why Egypt grows from a desert village, to be one of the biggest and more powerful empires in the ancient world. The flood will bring seeds and fishes from up river once a year. Then when the water levels will go down the terrains once cover with water was converted into the most fertile land in the region for months. The river was at his prime during the flood providing all the necessary food to an empire. Not just to survive but growth. Egypt was able even to save wheat and flax for the dry season and in some years even with a surplus of food. Years past and the Empire grew stronger than ever and with this so did the temples and monuments. And that is how the tales of the majestic Nile River set the ground for the Pyramid of Khufu to raise from the dessert dunes.
Imagine riding a camel in the middle of the Egyptian desert, hours have passed and all you see is sand in the horizon. Suddenly you see the far away figure of a strange shape. It seems to be an illusion, a mirage, a trick of the desert. The mixture of colors from the desert confuse you so that you see only the light blue sky with its tormenting sun and the yellow tinted sand that surrounds you. The weirdly shape rock of similar yellowish color, seems to appear from the sand, as if it were created by the same substance of it. Thousands of grains compounded into a triangular shape. But as you get closer, you are astonished, amazed at what you see. It is not a structure made of sand, it is millions of rocks compounded into a singular pyramid, and around it there is no evidence of life, not even rocks. In the few minutes that you eyes travel through the creases, and the outline of the structures you are transformed. But the amazement is cut short by curiosity, such an ancient building in the middle of nowhere. Only a dreaming mind can complete such a beautiful object to admire. You do not leave until the sun begins to retire, a change has occurred in you so that you are forever mesmerized by this moment.
Of course there are also those of us who are not so impacted by the historical structure that stands, filled with mystery, in the middle of the desert. But I have always be a passionate architect in mind. I cannot stop admiring every single detail, every possible shape and outcome. There is nothing peaceful in my mind of viewing a building; it requires a deep concentration, which does not allow for relaxation. Before I encountered the pyramids, I made my research, viewed millions of documentaries on them so that I did not expect to be so affected by them. Instead, they forever captured me under the mysterious power.
In most cultures around the globe death is the end of existence. The assumption that our souls will peacefully rest and our obligation in the world, as we know it is done. This mentality couldn’t be more different in Ancient Egypt. For the ancient Egyptians death was the focus of life, it signified a life of innovation, creation, and of leaving something behind. This mentality will later prove to be the key ingredient for the Godly temples that embrace the ancient Egyptian Gods such as Isis, Amon Ra, and death pharaohs, which were considered gods themselves, and with this same ideology to the afterlife that the roots of the pyramids begun to emerge.
It has been more than 2000 years since the first stone was laid in the Egyptian desert. It is this stone which will prove to be first human intent to create the impossible. In the year 2,560 B.C. the Egyptian pharaoh of the 4th dynasty, Khufu, an engineer’s lead an army of thousand workers from all over the empire. They began to build in the middle of a remote desert what turned out to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This mysterious location was far away from any previous burial temple in ancient Egypt. The question therein lies, why would anyone build a massive structure in a place were resources are not only limited, but the conditions are extreme? The answer can be found in the stars. Ancient Egyptians relied on astronomy for the creation of sacred temple, especially in the after the life of a pharaoh. They believed that at the moment of death the pharaoh would begin a journey that would ensure the faith of the empire. If the pharaoh failed to complete the journey, the sun (Amon Ra) will never rise again and every single living creature would ultimately die. The fate of Egypt lay in their hands, so that it was in the afterlife that a pharaoh would have to prove himself and pass the transgressions detailed in the Book of the Dead. And apparently their success in the afterlife journey had maintain the pyramids standing for 2000 years. They are the only ancient wonder standing almost intact and determine to remain immortal.
Almost two years ago I found myself around the city of Cairo looking down from the bridge towards the Nile. While admiring the river I immediately understood why so many generations have described the Nile with such majestic qualities. There’s no description that is understated when you describe the second longest river in the world with a length of 4,160 miles and it stretch from Tasmania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya and Egypt. In the times of the pharaohs the agriculture around the Nile consisted of fertile ground that allow for the trade of wheat, flax and papyrus. All three of these are still today’s most important products traded in the same ancient Nile trade route. In my second day in the city of Cairo the driver took me to see a place papyrus paper is made using the same method of their ancient predecessors. This proves the subsisting relations between Egyptian culture and the Nile River.
The simply idea of finding water in the dessert is consider a blessing. But the Gods blessed Egypt with more than a source of water. Egypt had the Nile River the longest river the ancient world knew. And with this came abundance and prosperity for the Nile people as they were refer to in the ancient times prior to any dynasty of Pharaohs ruled. The location to one of the richest empire know by history was set.
But perhaps history will not be the same without the Nile River’s yearly flood. This natural event in other regions around the world will be considered a natural disaster. In contrast villagers, fisherman, and farmer expect Egypt annual flood with joy. This is remarkably important due to the fact that the flood is the reason why Egypt grows from a desert village, to be one of the biggest and more powerful empires in the ancient world. The flood will bring seeds and fishes from up river once a year. Then when the water levels will go down the terrains once cover with water was converted into the most fertile land in the region for months. The river was at his prime during the flood providing all the necessary food to an empire. Not just to survive but growth. Egypt was able even to save wheat and flax for the dry season and in some years even with a surplus of food. Years past and the Empire grew stronger than ever and with this so did the temples and monuments. And that is how the tales of the majestic Nile River set the ground for the Pyramid of Khufu to raise from the dessert dunes.
Imagine riding a camel in the middle of the Egyptian desert, hours have passed and all you see is sand in the horizon. Suddenly you see the far away figure of a strange shape. It seems to be an illusion, a mirage, a trick of the desert. The mixture of colors from the desert confuse you so that you see only the light blue sky with its tormenting sun and the yellow tinted sand that surrounds you. The weirdly shape rock of similar yellowish color, seems to appear from the sand, as if it were created by the same substance of it. Thousands of grains compounded into a triangular shape. But as you get closer, you are astonished, amazed at what you see. It is not a structure made of sand, it is millions of rocks compounded into a singular pyramid, and around it there is no evidence of life, not even rocks. In the few minutes that you eyes travel through the creases, and the outline of the structures you are transformed. But the amazement is cut short by curiosity, such an ancient building in the middle of nowhere. Only a dreaming mind can complete such a beautiful object to admire. You do not leave until the sun begins to retire, a change has occurred in you so that you are forever mesmerized by this moment.
Of course there are also those of us who are not so impacted by the historical structure that stands, filled with mystery, in the middle of the desert. But I have always be a passionate architect in mind. I cannot stop admiring every single detail, every possible shape and outcome. There is nothing peaceful in my mind of viewing a building; it requires a deep concentration, which does not allow for relaxation. Before I encountered the pyramids, I made my research, viewed millions of documentaries on them so that I did not expect to be so affected by them. Instead, they forever captured me under the mysterious power.
In most cultures around the globe death is the end of existence. The assumption that our souls will peacefully rest and our obligation in the world, as we know it is done. This mentality couldn’t be more different in Ancient Egypt. For the ancient Egyptians death was the focus of life, it signified a life of innovation, creation, and of leaving something behind. This mentality will later prove to be the key ingredient for the Godly temples that embrace the ancient Egyptian Gods such as Isis, Amon Ra, and death pharaohs, which were considered gods themselves, and with this same ideology to the afterlife that the roots of the pyramids begun to emerge.
It has been more than 2000 years since the first stone was laid in the Egyptian desert. It is this stone which will prove to be first human intent to create the impossible. In the year 2,560 B.C. the Egyptian pharaoh of the 4th dynasty, Khufu, an engineer’s lead an army of thousand workers from all over the empire. They began to build in the middle of a remote desert what turned out to be one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This mysterious location was far away from any previous burial temple in ancient Egypt. The question therein lies, why would anyone build a massive structure in a place were resources are not only limited, but the conditions are extreme? The answer can be found in the stars. Ancient Egyptians relied on astronomy for the creation of sacred temple, especially in the after the life of a pharaoh. They believed that at the moment of death the pharaoh would begin a journey that would ensure the faith of the empire. If the pharaoh failed to complete the journey, the sun (Amon Ra) will never rise again and every single living creature would ultimately die. The fate of Egypt lay in their hands, so that it was in the afterlife that a pharaoh would have to prove himself and pass the transgressions detailed in the Book of the Dead. And apparently their success in the afterlife journey had maintain the pyramids standing for 2000 years. They are the only ancient wonder standing almost intact and determine to remain immortal.