Did You (Or Didn’t You) Know This About Egypt?
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Egypt, referred to as the land of the pharaohs, is popular for its shimmering treasures, great pyramids, and historical mummies. But what else do you know about this interesting country?
Read on and discover what you probably didn’t know about Egypt – its people, cultures and beliefs, and their way of life.
Facts About Egypt
- Employed Workers Built The Pyramids, Not Slaves. That I didn’t know!
We have been made to believe all this time, through the historian Herodotus, that over 100,000 slaves combined forces to build the Great Pyramids of Egypt. However, archaeological proof reveals that salaried employees totaling to 5,000, and 20,000 temporary employees worked on them. These men were not slaves. They were housed in a camp and provided with food, water, and medical services.
- Not All Who Died Were Mummified. But in the movies, everyone was.
Mummies are a distinct artifact, which is almost always associated with Egypt. But contrary to what we thought, only the wealthy Egyptians were mummified, since the process of mummification was laborious and quite expensive. Majority of the dead in Egypt were buried in the deserts, in simple pits.
Source: flickr.com
The belief of the rich Egyptians was that if their bodies were preserved or mummified, they would possibly live again.
- Men And Women In Egypt Had Equal Rights. This sounds ironic since in most Muslim countries, the men were always above the women.
Egyptian women shared the same status as men. In other words, they can own properties, work and earn, and they can live on their own without any protection from men. In business matters, they were also allowed to replace their absent husbands.
Egyptian women, however, are expected to marry and fulfill their roles as wife and mother. Therefore, they were to take care of the house and raise their children well while the husband works and earns for the family.
- Egyptian Women Can Become Kings. Does this happen anywhere else?
Typically, the next king of Egypt is the previous king’s son, which is not always the case in this country. The king can actually choose whomever he wants to take his crown, even the most unlikely individual. Hatshepsut is one of the few women rulers who successfully reigned for over 20 years. She was literally King because queens in Egypt were used to refer to wives of the king.
- Cleopatra May Not Have Been Beautiful After All. We would beg to disagree, as she seduced two very important men – Mark Antony and Julius Cesar. Perhaps they were taken by her wits?
Source: wikimedia.org
Cleopatra VII was the last queen of the old Egypt and she was believed to be beautiful, smart, and cunning. We have always assumed that she was beautiful, yet the coin that has her face engraved on proves otherwise. On her coin, Cleopatra had a sharp chin, a protruding nose, and eyes that were deep-set. But others suggest that maybe she wanted to look less feminine on her coin, although the historian Plutarch, who never ever saw the queen, tells that Cleopatra’s charm was all in her character and her lovely voice!
Do you know of other interesting and unique details on the history of Egypt? If you do, let us know!
Know More About Ancient Egypt’s Trade Relations
Every major empire has one thing in common: trade. Yes, trade relations are of vital importance for the growth and development of Ancient Egypt. This ancient empire had established trade relations from countless countries, from their next-door neighbors to far-away Eastern lands. Here are just some of Ancient Egypt’s former trade partners.
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3 Unique Ways Egyptians Handle Stress
Egypt is more than just the tombs and mummies. It is a nation located where Africa and Asia meet. Moreover, it is a country surrounded by deserts, pyramids, and rivers. With its rich culture and history masked with mystery, it is a fascinating place to visit.
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Egyptian Hieroglyphs: An Iconic Writing System
Of all the ancient scripts in the world, perhaps one of the most well-known is Egyptian hieroglyphs. Whenever people see the distinctive symbols, many of them remember the old adventure movies they grew up with, the ones where the hero explores long-lost tombs of ancient pharaohs, seeking danger and thrill.
Continue reading “Egyptian Hieroglyphs: An Iconic Writing System “
5 Most Famous Traditional Egyptian Dishes
Food is a critical aspect of every country’s culture, and in Egypt, all of their traditional dishes are a must-try. Aside from the pyramids, travelers make sure to visit this country to taste the rich Egyptian cuisine. Their recipes are a little bit similar to the Mediterranean cuisine – but with a little bit of a twist.
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5 Unique Egyptian Traditions
The population of Egypt, the earliest civilization, was maintained by beer which was consumed by every person – man, woman, and child – at every meal. — Stanton Peele Ph.D.
Egypt is a magnificent country. It has impressed tourists and the rest of the world with its unique and breathtaking attractions. This country also has a rich culture dating from three eras – the Pharaonic era, the Christianity era, and the Islam era. Egypt has exciting and unique traditions as well, dating back to thousands of years ago but are still practiced up to today. Let us explore and understand some of these traditions.
Egypt: The World’s True Gold Mine
The staggering amount of gold in this land would amaze any historian and investor. It has long been a land rich in gold, with ancient miners doing the traditional methods in exploiting economically feasible sources. The Egyptian culture probably loves and values this precious mineral more than others.
