The Land of the Pharaohs
Egypt is a country whose history includes
one of the most ancient and sophisticated civilisations the world has
ever seen. Their accomplishments, given their resources and their knowledge,
are just as impressive as anything the modern world has achieved. The
precision engineering of the pyramids, huge structures that were built
within margins of error only millimetres wide and with none of the precise
instruments available to modern day architects, is something to be marvelled
at.
The great achievements in art, culture, learning and architecture were presided over by the Pharaohs. They ruled Egypt (excluding relatively brief periods of occupation or division) for almost three thousand years, from 3050 BC right up until the last king of the 30th dynasty 343 BC, Nectanebo II, the last Egyptian born ruler of Egypt. Kings of Persia and Macedonia, including Alexander the Great, ruled for almost forty years until the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a line of Macedonian kings, took control of Egypt, although historians often disagree about the rulers and reigns during this period. There were co-regencies at this time, including the famous Cleopatra. But Egypt’s star was on the wane, and Rome had to be held off through deals and tributes. Cleopatra VII managed this for a while, taking the Roman Emperors Caesar and Mark Anthony as her lovers, but she died as the final Egyptian monarch. After that, Rome ruled Egypt directly.
Egypt today is one of the major tourist destinations for the UK. Much of its appeal stems directly from its rich historical background, the monuments to and marks of the Pharaohs. The Great Pyramid at Giza, the last remaining of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, was built as a tomb for the fourth dynasty king, Khufu. The Valley of the Kings, arguably the other great Egyptian site, is an area containing sixty-three tombs and burial chambers built to hold the bodies of monarchs and noblemen. The most famous tomb is the burial place of the Pharaoh Tutenkhamun. The lavish burial chambers of the Egyptian kings and queens have also helped to tell the story of this ancient land, with hieroglyphics detailing the events and exploits of each tomb’s occupants.
Travel to Egypt is straightforward these days, with major carriers such as Fly Monarch flying into airports like Luxor and Sharm-el-Sheikh. Most Egypt holidays will be based around the fantastic historical locations which have become the modern legacy of the many Pharaohs who ruled the ancient Kingdoms of Egypt.
The great achievements in art, culture, learning and architecture were presided over by the Pharaohs. They ruled Egypt (excluding relatively brief periods of occupation or division) for almost three thousand years, from 3050 BC right up until the last king of the 30th dynasty 343 BC, Nectanebo II, the last Egyptian born ruler of Egypt. Kings of Persia and Macedonia, including Alexander the Great, ruled for almost forty years until the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a line of Macedonian kings, took control of Egypt, although historians often disagree about the rulers and reigns during this period. There were co-regencies at this time, including the famous Cleopatra. But Egypt’s star was on the wane, and Rome had to be held off through deals and tributes. Cleopatra VII managed this for a while, taking the Roman Emperors Caesar and Mark Anthony as her lovers, but she died as the final Egyptian monarch. After that, Rome ruled Egypt directly.
Egypt today is one of the major tourist destinations for the UK. Much of its appeal stems directly from its rich historical background, the monuments to and marks of the Pharaohs. The Great Pyramid at Giza, the last remaining of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, was built as a tomb for the fourth dynasty king, Khufu. The Valley of the Kings, arguably the other great Egyptian site, is an area containing sixty-three tombs and burial chambers built to hold the bodies of monarchs and noblemen. The most famous tomb is the burial place of the Pharaoh Tutenkhamun. The lavish burial chambers of the Egyptian kings and queens have also helped to tell the story of this ancient land, with hieroglyphics detailing the events and exploits of each tomb’s occupants.
Travel to Egypt is straightforward these days, with major carriers such as Fly Monarch flying into airports like Luxor and Sharm-el-Sheikh. Most Egypt holidays will be based around the fantastic historical locations which have become the modern legacy of the many Pharaohs who ruled the ancient Kingdoms of Egypt.
