Famous From Egypt
Cleopatra
Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE in Egypt and died in 30 BCE. Archaeologists believe that her death was due to suicide. When Cleopatra's father died in 51 BCE the throne was passed down to 18 year old Cleopatra and 10 year old brother, Ptolemy XII. In 49 BCE, Ptolemy's adbisers acted against Cleopatra and forced her to flee to Syria. Cleopatra then created an army with Julius Caesar's support who then smuggled her into the palace. She overtook her brother and got the throne back which made her the last queen of Egypt. Her reign was very successful. She expanded the Egyptian empire and kept the country safe from invasions.
Egyptian Works of Art
Sculptures were very common in ancient Egypt. They were very majestic and ranged in size from small models to colossal. The sculptures generally looked straight ahead without emotion and were not engaged in any activity. The sculptures often captured the grandeur of Pharaohs. Another common work of art was carved relief and painting, Carved reliefs are pictures cut into stone. Realism was the least of their concerns. They were commonly found in tombs and used to convey to the gods the character of the deceased. They often showed activities that would be enjoyed in the afterlife.
Narmer's Palette
Narmer's Palette is a small green stone that is carved into a sheild-shaped palette that depicts pharaoh Narmer's rise to power. Narmer is mainly referred to as Menes who was the first ruler of unified Egypt and founded the First Dynasty. The palette also represents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. The palette is decorated on both sides and may be the oldest known canvas of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing as well as the oldest historical document.
Nefertiti's Bust
The bust of Akhenaten's wife was made out of limestone and was created by Thutmose. The name Nefertiti means 'the beautiful one has come' and admiration for her beauty is shown on the statue. Although very little is known about Nefertiti, the statue made her one of the most iconic people from ancient Egypt.
Tutankhamun's Golden Death Mask
The son and successor of Akhenaton, Tutankhamun died at 19 years old, probably from an infection that he developed after breaking his leg. Tuankhamun was buried in the 24 pound death mask made out of pure gold. The mask was placed of Tutankhamun's head and shoulders. The mask in inlaid with blue glass, lapis lazuli and other semiprecious stones. The mask is essentially a realistic portrait of the king.
Great Pyramids of Giza
The Great Pyramids of Giza are one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. There are about 80 pyramids that have been found. However, the three largest and best preserved are the most famous and the ones known as Giza. These pyramids were said to have been built around 2325 BCE. In ancient Egypt, these pyramids were used as tombs for Pharaohs and their queens when they died. They were in use form the beginning Old Kingdom to end of the Middle Kingdom. The most well-known pyramids were built for the pharaoh Khufu.
The Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is an ancient burial site located just west of the Nile River in Upper Egypt. The burial site used to be located in ancient Thebes. This was a burial site for almost all of the kings during the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. The burial site contains 62 tombs, however, not all of the mummies have been identified. Each mummy is laid in a stone sarcophagus and kept in a chamber. Some well-known pharaohs that were buried there are many of the Ramses', Thutmes I and Hatshepshut and Tutankhamun.