Egypt Enchants Everyone

We start to learn about Egypt at a young age. In school we learn about pyramids, pharaoh's and the Sphinx in early elementary grades. As we progress through our educational career, the complexities of this powerful early culture start to be unfolded for us. A few fascinating Resources to learn more about Egypt's wonders are included here.

How do we REALLY know the role that gender played in the Egyptian cuhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflture? Read the article by Christopher Witcombe about Menkaure and His Queen (pictured here). This article discussed the role gender played in the Egyptian society. Many believe women were subservient to men as men were pharaoh's and shown with powerful postures. Women were shown less aggressive than the men. Female rulers like Hatshepsut even dressed like a man to be taken seriously. Witcombe's article argues that evidence suggests that "Women in Egypt seem to have enjoyed the same legal and economics rights as men". In his article he notes that "Ancient Egypt was a matrilineal society where power resided in the female line". Men were given the dispensation to marry their sisters to keep power within the family. One can compare this to the power of the female in passing on the Jewish faith. One can also compare this to the respect and equality felt by women in the Etruscan culture. I follow in the Etruscan style, I did not take my husband's name when I got married.

Another fascinating concept in the Egyptian culture is their architecture. They did more than just enclose space, they created timeless tombs and temples that range in size and style. What each shares is a strong foundation that has http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifallowhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifed them to withstands years and years of weather and pollution. Their engineering feats, with relatively modest tools, are mind boggling! Take time to look at the YouTube video showing the Hyppostyle Hall at Karnak. Pay attention to the massive size in relation to the human form. Look at the hieroglyphics that create a narrative in the hall. The Greeks coined the term Hypostyle Hall to mean "a room or chamber that has many columns. They became a feature of Egyptian architecture, but most such halls are distinguished from other pillared halls by the papyriform, which references the capital of the column ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifften in the shape of the Papyrus Flower".

The Palette of Narmer (also pictured here) is another fascinating element of the Egyptian culture we encounter in school as we progress through the years. It demonstrates a HISTORICAL EVENT. The palette commemorates the unification of Egypt and records the event for posterity. The Egyptians, especially the pharaohs, were concerned with preserving their name and accomplishments for eternity so they had important images crafted out of strong stone, stone that has lasted through to today.