Things you did not know; from the most famous books on egyptology
Introduction
Egyptology has always been a land of mysteries and secrets, and when mesmerized everyone who looked into her. Here are some fascinating things about ancient Egypt from some of the best books on Egyptology.
Cleopatra's Origins
Cleopatra and Tutankhamun are the most celebrated ancient Egyptians. Almost every book on Egyptology has some connections with Cleopatra.
When one thinks about Egypt, the first person who springs to mind is Cleopatra the VII. Her fame rose thanks to W. Shakespeare and his Play Antony and Cleopatra. And, it's astounding to hear that she is a descendant of Alexander the Great's lieutenant Ptolemy I, which points to her Greek Macedonian ancestry. Between 323 through 30 BC, Egypt was under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The dynasty's emperors introduced Greek cultural ideas to the region. According to some new books on Egyptology, Cleopatra was the first Ptolemaic ruler to speak Egyptian.
The Egyptians and peace treaties
Egyptians formed one of the first known peace accords. Ancient Egyptian and Hittite empires were at odds for centuries. The conflict centred on land control in what is now known as Syria. The two kingdoms fought numerous costly wars throughout this lengthy era, such as the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC, but no clear victor emerged. Both Egypt and Hittite faced invasion threats from other countries during this period. Thus, in 1259 B.C., Hattusili III of the Hittite empire and Ramses II of Egypt signed a renowned peace treaty that terminated the warring parties' struggle. According to new books on Egyptology, this treaty indicated that they would fight as one in case of external aggression.
Egypt's peace treaty with Hittite is among the oldest extant peace treaties. Its replica is in the UN Security Council's New York chamber entrance. This treaty also calls for more attention to the study of Egyptology, as this document is as essential to human history as Hammurabi's code of laws or the Magna Carta.
The Egyptians' fondness for board games
According to some best books on Egyptology, Egyptians are behind many modern-day games such as "Dogs and Jackals," but their most famous board game was named "Senet." Senet is a probability game, and it is 5500 years old. Each player utilised a unique set of pieces to manoeuvre around a large board of 30 painted squares after tossing dice or a stick. The rules of this game remain a point of contention among Egyptologists. Nonetheless, its broad popularity proves its representation in Egyptian art and that researchers discovered it in the tombs of several pharaohs, including Tutankhamun.
Egyptian women and their status in the society
As per some new books on Egyptology, Egyptian women's place in their families was below their husbands; Egyptian women possessed many financial and legal privileges. Though they are not known to have worked outside the house as per Egyptology books, they were compensated equally with their male counterparts when they did. They possessed the ability to enter into legal contracts, purchase and sell property, and execute wills. Egyptian Women also had a place on judicial committees. They had the liberty to divorce their husbands and remarry whenever they pleased. According to recent research in Egyptology, Egyptian couples drafted prenuptial agreements outlining the property and money brought into a marriage by the woman. It guaranteed that the husband would reimburse her if they decided to separate.
Egyptian workers and strike action
Though the Egyptians viewed their Pharaoh as a God, on the other hand, Egyptian employees were unafraid to fight for their rights. They have protested for improved working conditions and made it clear about their requirements. There is an incident in some books on Egyptology; during Ramses III's reign, he employed labourers to construct the royal necropolis of Deir el-Medina. They once did not receive the agreed-upon money. Due to this, they staged a protest where they ceased work and remained in adjacent temples until they got an answer. This bold action brought their masters to meet their demands and obtaining delayed grains. According to some of the best books on Egyptology, these strikes are one of the first documented instances of organised labour action.
The Pharaohs and their representations
Egyptian art in Egyptology books has often shown its monarchs as slim and statuesque. However, according to the current research in Egyptology, it turns out this fantastic representation was most likely inaccurate. Egyptians mainly ate bread, honey, beer, and wine. Sugar for each meal and little physical labour would undoubtedly have distorted royal statistics. Historians have proved via examining mummies that Egyptian pharaohs were obese and ill. Hatshepsut, of the 18th Dynasty, is one of the subjects of this recent research in Egyptology. While her tomb portrays her as slim and athletic, scholars assert that she is balding and fat.
The Pyramids' construction
According to some new books on Egyptology, the workers on the pyramids did not have an easy life. The remains of workers revealed evidence of bone disorders and other maladies. However, contrary to common assumptions, the world-famous tombs were erected by hired labourers, not enslaved people. In the fifth century BC, a Greek historian named Herodotus popularised the concept of slavery in pyramid construction. Egyptologists debunked the myth recently. The enslaved people in ancient Egypt were mostly household servants and field labourers. And this recent research in Egyptology discovered that construction workers were competent artisans who took great pleasure in their one-of-a-kind trade. Moreover, Archaeologists uncovered intriguing graffiti sprayed around the monuments by employees. They had a strong sense of community and frequently coined funny crew names for themselves.
Tutankhamun's Demise
As little as we know about the child king Tut from books on Egyptology, recently, some historians claim to have deduced the reason behind his early demise. Scientists conducted many studies on his mummy. The Pharaoh's physicians embalmed the body after removing the heart and the chest wall. This significant deviation from the traditional Egyptian burial pattern suggests that he has died due to an egregious injury. Historians think that a Hippopotamus bite most likely caused the wound. According to some books on Egyptology, Egyptian royals at the time were fond of hunting; Tutankhamun's enigmatic demise might have resulted from a hunting event gone awry.
Egyptian Physicians
In ancient Egypt, healers treated a wide variety of health problems. They were well-versed in all facets of human physiology and had the expertise to deal with medical difficulties. Moreover, according to recent research in Egyptology, there is evidence that Egyptian physicians frequently specialised in certain bodily parts. Herodotus recognised this medicinal expertise by describing Egyptian physicians who specialised in eyes, teeth, and stomach.
Egyptians and their companions
Ancient Egypt held animals with high regard and reverence. This fondness for animals can be seen even with the depiction of Egyptian Gods. The Egyptians regarded animals as heavenly manifestations. They had a particular fondness for cats, which they linked with the Egyptian Goddess Bastet. Other notable creatures were lions, baboons, ibises, dogs and hawks. And maybe the Egyptians were among the oldest cultures to keep animals as home pets. They received a unique position in households and were mummified and buried beside their owners following their deaths. Additionally, several animals did several tasks in every aspect of life.
The Egyptians' passion for cosmetics
Vanity dates back to the dawn of humanity. Ancient Egyptian illustrations and books on Egyptology vividly depict men and women wearing a variety of cosmetics, particularly near their eyes. In addition, they created kohl from Galena and Malachite ores. This kohl was lavishly applied all over the eyes with bone, ivory and wood applicators. Further, women painted crimson tints on their faces and used henna to colour their hands. Everyone wore myrrh and cinnamon-based perfumes. Egyptians believe that by wearing cosmetics, people enjoy the protection of the Egyptian Gods Horus and Ra. Additionally, they thought it had magical properties. According to the current research in Egyptology, Egyptians may have been correct since advancements in cosmetics helped them stay away from eye illnesses.
Conclusion
Egypt had a civilisation that could compete with the modern world thousands of years ago. So, we must look at them and study them as we have a lot to learn from them. Interesting facts like the above will keep generations close to the ancient civilisation and learn from it.
