Ancient Egypt is one of the most fascinating of the ancient civilizations. Even today, the manner in which modern Egypt has melded with the ancient world is positively astounding. One cannot help but notice that the pull of the ancient world is still very much a part of modern cities such as Cairo and Alexandria. While it would take volumes to write a comprehensive guide to ancient Egypt, we have attempted to provide here a brief introduction to many of the fascinating aspects of daily life in ancient Egypt. In the following pages you will find information about topics most commonly associated with ancient Egypt. Some of this information may be well known to you and other tidbits may be a new discovery on your path to broadening your knowledge. The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs - Life of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs was filled with power, glory, murder, deceit and mystery. Slip into the world of ancient Egypt where a woman dressed as a man to rule Egypt as pharaoh, then mysteriously disappeared; another pharaoh would stop at almost nothing to institute a monotheistic religion and a boy king was cut down in the prime of life. Since his tomb was first uncovered by Howard Carter in 1922, the world has been curious and in awe of the 'Boy King' who died such a mysterious death at such a
young age. Return to ancient Egypt to find out more about the
life of King Tut. The Queens of Egypt - The many queens of Egypt have long been regarded as the most beautiful, seductive women ever to grace a throne. While they obviously knew how to make the most of their appearances, there was also much more to the personalities and lives of these royal ladies than mere looks alone.
Queen Cleopatra's beauty, ability to seduce powerful men and love affairs is truly the stuff of legends. Spend a few moments in Cleopatra's ancient Egypt to find out a few little known facts about this amazing 'last pharaoh.' Egyptian Hieroglyphics - Egypt was one of the first, if not the first, civilization to develop a system of writing. Comprised of thousands of symbols, the Egyptian hieroglyphics are a study in art as well as linguistics.



Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses - The world of ancient Egypt was ruled by more than mere pharaohs, even they had to answer to someone. The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses ruled the lives of the Egyptians with an iron fist. When they weren't busy with that, they were engaged in love affairs, intrigues and murder.

The Egyptian Pyramids - The construction of the Egyptian pyramids have dumbfounded the world for generations, if not centuries. It seems incongruous that anyone, especially an ancient civilization, could have successfully managed such massive construction projects. Yet, even thousands of years later, the pyramids rise above the sand filled deserts of Egypt as a testament to their builders. Daily Life in Ancient Egypt - How did the people live in ancient Egypt? What did ancient egypt houses and temples look like? What kind of food did the Egyptians eat? How did ancient Egypt fashion look? What kind of music did the ancient Egyptians play and did they dance to it? What kind of games did they play and which sports did they like? Are there any ancient Egyptian inventions that are still useful today? What role did the Nile play in the world of the ancient Egyptians? You can read the answer to these and other questions in this series of articles about the daily life in ancient Egypt. Egypt Mummies - Obsessed with the afterlife, and the avoidance of death, the ancient Egyptians are most often known for their mummies. Find out more about this ancient process and why it is truly an art form in its own right. Ancient Egypt Map - See for yourself where ancient Egyptian landmarks were located on these maps of Egypt.

Click to enlarge A map of ancient Egypt about 1450 BC + a smaller reference map of the Nile delta. Click to enlarge A map of the Nile river. Click to enlarge A map of the Nile Delta. Click to enlarge A map of modern Egypt.

Since his tomb was first discovered in 1922, the life of King Tut has continued to mystify and enthrall both historians and amateur sleuths alike. The young age of the ruler, his mysterious death and the curse that continues to be associated with ancient Egypt and King Tut have only increased the world's fascination with King Tut's life history.

Quick Facts About King Tut Became king at the early age of nine. Died mysteriously at the age of eighteen. Mysterious curse thought to be responsible for the deaths of almost two dozen people involved with the discovery of his tomb. Much of the early King Tut life story remains shadowy including his parentage.In what year was King Tutankhamen enthroned? Noone knows for sure. It is believed that his parents were Akhenaten and a minor wife, Kiya. After becoming king he married his half-sister, Ankhesenamun; who was born to Akhenaten and his primary wife, Nefertiti. His rule was primarily governed by two high ranking aides, including his wife's grandfather. The life of King Tut was cut short when he died mysteriously, only nine short years after taking the throne. The short life of King Tut and the cause of his death remains a mystery even today. Severe head trauma was discovered when his mummified corpse was carefully unwrapped, although the cause of the injury has received much speculation. Some authorities believe the injury might have resulted from an accident while others contend he was surrounded by individuals who would stop at nothing to access the throne. Just 18 when he died, Tutankhamen Pharoah of Egypt left no son to succeed him to the throne; although mummified female infants were found contained within his tomb. His wife's elderly grandfather assumed the role of pharaoh, marrying the newly widowed Ankhesenaumun, his own granddaughter. She mysteriously disappeared soon after the marriage. **Update: recently an international research team under the leadership of Egyptian radiologist Ashraf Selim discovered the real cause of Tutankhamen's death. It turns out he fell from a horse, broke his left thigh on several places and got blood poisoning because of the open wound. The mistery ends. Howard Carter and the mummy of King Tut Ankh Amon in 1925 When his tomb was uncovered by Howard Carter in the fall of 1922, a wealth of King Tut's treasures were discovered as well. Although the burial tomb was obviously put together rather quickly to accommodate the death of the young king, it contained an amazing array of items. In total, when the tomb was finally emptied, it contained thousands of King Tut's tomb treasure including the King Tut throne chair. A silver trumpet King Tut was buried with was also discovered. Perhaps the most studied and easily recognized of all King Tut's treasures are the Tutankhamen sarcophagus symbols. The preserved mummy of the boy king was found to be contained within 3 golden coffins. His mummy was eventually returned to the tomb, however; persons interested in the life of King Tut can now view his tomb treasure in a museum in Cairo. The Curse of King Tut The curse of king Tut; whether real or simply a fascinating legend, has produced perhaps even more speculation than the life of King Tut and his actual death. According to Egyptian legend a curse was inscribed on the outside of the king's tomb: Death shall come on swift wings to him that disturbs the peace of the king. Several months after the initial discovery of King Tut's tomb, the principal backer of the expedition died a sudden death. In the next few years, 20 other individuals who were involved in the uncovering of the tomb died mysterious deaths. A number of articles about the death of king Tut have been written, however much of the history of King Tutankhamun remain a mystery. The life of King Tut, the boy king, seems destined to remain shrouded in mystery.

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were considered to be both divine deities as well as mortal rulers. Throughout the 30+ dynasties in ancient Egyptian history, it is speculated that some 170 or more rulers reigned over the great land of Egypt during a three thousand year time span. The throne of Egypt was primarily intended to be succeeded from father to son, however in many cases this line of kingship was interrupted by murder, mayhem and mysterious disappearances. Each time a new family took control of the throne, a new kingdom began in the history of this fascinating nation. While rulers often intermarried with daughters, granddaughters, sisters and brothers to keep the throne within the family the throne still managed to shift hands multiple times; creating a dynamic, and often, complex ancient pharonic history.

The First King King Menes There is contradictory information regarding the first king of Egypt. Some authorities believe he might have been Aha, while others contend that Menes held this title. Very little information on the Egyptian pharaohs of the first and second dynasties is known. The few facts that are known about the sixteen or so ancient Egyptian pharaohs who ruled Egypt during this time has been gleaned from the Palermo stone, an ancient stone tablet that contains information such as lists of pharaohs and other facts of daily life from the ancient pharonic periods. Famous Egyptian Pharaohs Tutankhamen aka King Tut Perhaps the most well known of famous Egyptian pharaohs is Tutankhamen, commonly referred to as King Tut. The mysterious death of this boy king has interested the world since his tomb was first discovered in 1922. Only 18 when he died, it is speculated that both is wife and grandfather might have played key roles in the mysterious and probably fatal blow to the back of his head. More on the life of King Tut... Ramesses II Ramses II, during his 67 year reign of Egypt, seemed to do everything over the top. He is probably the most prolific of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, siring over 100 children with more than a dozen wives. He is well regarded as the builder of more temples and statues than any of the other ancient Egyptian pharaohs. More on Ramses II... Queen Hatshepsut Not all of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs were men and Hatshepsut proves that even in an ancient culture dominated by men, women were capable of making their own mark on the world. Taking control of the throne following the death of her father Hatshepsut ruled for 20 years and during that time proceeded to expand trade relations and build a number of impressive temples, including the shrine in Deir-al-Bahari. Her prosperous reign was cut short when she mysteriously disappeared. It is speculated that she might have been murdered by her own nephew in order for him to gain access to the throne. More on Queen Hatshepsut... Queen Cleopatra Commonly referred to as the last of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs before the nation tumbled into the hands of the Roman Empire, Cleopatra has been the subject of many novels and movies and is often portrayed as extremely beautiful and seductive. While her affair with Mark Anthony has become legendary, Cleopatra's intelligence and political astuteness may be the most interesting pieces of information of all regarding this female pharaoh.