Thebes - is an ancient city located in Upper Egypt, near modern Luxor.Egyptians in antiquity called their capital "Participation is," which means "rule" ("Conquer the city"), but the Greeks called it "Fivei" or "Thebes" (not to be confused with Thebes in Greece).Homer mentions "stovratnye Thebes."Palaces (el Uksur) Arabs called it.Ancient Thebans themselves in their texts often called their homeland "Niut", which simply means "city".
first mention
When there was a city of Thebes (Egypt)?Its history goes back centuries.The texts relating to the III millennium. BC.e., preserved the first mention of the city.The first of them belong to the reign of Pharaoh Menkaure (Menkaure), who lived around the XXVI century BC.e.But the heyday of the city was preceded by a long history.
Cultural Center Amon
In the XXI century BC.e.Thebes unite the country and become the capital of Egypt, however, for a short time.This happened during the reign of Dynasty XI of the Middle Kingdom.In this era the city began the active construction of monumental shrines deceased kings and gods.Amun, the local god, acquired the status of a state.Religious and political center of all powers began to Thebes.The State treated much the territory of modern Sudan.Borders reached Libya to the west.While the majority of the Pharaohs to build in this city has directed a significant portion of the resources of ancient Egypt, and many of its foreign holdings.Cultural Center of Amun of Thebes were Egyptian.There were constructed in honor of the ancient god of the largest temples.
Center theocratic state and the monastic movement
After the revival of the city of Memphis, which became the capital of Egypt in the XIV century.BC.e., the ancient Thebes (Egypt) retained the role of the largest religious and cultural center of the country, even through the centuries, up until the time of the Romans.In the beginning I millennium BCis the center of a theocratic state, which was created in the south of Egypt, the priests of Amun after the collapse of the New Kingdom.It happened after two uprisings (first - in 205-199 years., Then - in 199-186 years. BC. E.) Against the Ptolemies, the Hellenistic dynasty.With the spread of Christianity in the first century BC.e.Area Thebes became one of the largest centers of the monastic movement.
city on the two banks of the Nile
Romans were destroyed, looted and demolished many buildings of Thebes.Only scientists and archaeologists from Napoleon's entourage were able to once again awaken from a dream city.Thebes in ancient times, were located on the two banks of the Nile: the east and west.Let's speak first about the east.
old capital of Egypt, on the east bank of the river was divided into two channels: in the south of the city of Luxor has grown, and in the north is the village of Carnac.On this side of the river were two magnificent temples - Luxor (pictured below) and Karnak, which were connected by avenues of sphinxes.
With luxurious houses of the nobility, palaces, gardens, artificial lakes and rare trees coexisted majestic temple complexes.Gilt needle obelisks, colossal statues of kings, the top of the temple pylon towers pierce the sky Azure.Window openings wealthy homes, lined with green and turquoise faience tiles, peeped through the lush green of palm trees, sycamore and tamarisk.Skin, blood vessels of wine, lapis lazuli, so beloved by the Egyptians, works of art were taken here subjugated peoples of Syria.From Africa came the caravans with ebony, ivory, gold and spices.
On the west bank of the Nile was the residence of the king, as well as a huge necropolis, which is located in the amphitheater of the rocks.It is dominated by Western summit (Dehenet), which is now called "Qurnah."Meretseger - snake goddess ("loving silence"), Lady of the mountain - to protect the peace of the dead.It protects, according to legend, is not only located in the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings burials and tombs of nobles and ordinary citizens.If you are going to go here on a tour, it is best to bring a hat, comfortable shoes and camera.Using the video camera when you visit the Valley of the Pharaohs is prohibited.
Valley of the Pharaohs (Valley of the Kings)
famous Valley of the Kings of Thebes (Egypt).Photography is not able to transfer all its splendor, surviving today only in part.Patron Saint of the Valley of the Kings, as we have said, was goddess meretseger.This site chose Pharaoh Thutmose I (of Dynasty XXVI) for its future burial.He, along with Ineni, court architect, was hoping that the tomb in the rocks better than the pyramid, open gaze of all, protected from looting.In order to enter in even greater misconception hunters for profit, away from the tombs of the dead were laid temples.In the Valley of the Pharaohs is located 42 tombs.Of these, almost all belong to the Pharaohs.Unlike the rulers of the Old Kingdom, the capital of which is located in Memphis, the pharaohs of the New Kingdom Thebes did not build the pyramids.The tombs were cut into the rock.They tried to hide from prying eyes as carefully as possible.Large stones peppered entrance to the tomb, immured them.However, these shifts have not been able to save them from ruin.
This form of burial for 500 years remained unchanged, and improved only slightly.All the tombs were built in a similar way.Sloping corridor, the length of which is 200 meters away, done in the limestone mountain.He went steeply down to a depth of 100 meters.At the end of the corridor there were 3 or 4 rooms.The ceilings and walls of rooms and corridors covered with colorful drawings, which to this day have not lost their brightness.They tell about the life and deeds of the deceased.Secret falling doors led to the burial chamber.Earth mounds and hills disguised main entrance.From
discovered until today 64 tombs of the most notable tomb of Amenhotep II, Thutmose III, Horemheb, Tutankhamun, Seti I, Rasesa I, Merenptaha and others.Almost all of them appeared in antiquity looted.Only the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, was found fully intact by Howard Carter, the British archaeologist.Tutankhamun died at the age of 19 and was not historically significant pharaoh nevertheless tomb was full of ornaments, gold and various treasures.
Valley of the Queens
Thebes (Egypt) - is not only the Valley of the Kings.Many more can be found at the burial site of the city.For example, here is the Valley of the Queens.It should be said that not only the queens were buried in this valley.Here are the rest except the mothers and wives of the Pharaohs and Egyptian prince who died early.Archaeologists in this necropolis were found 70 tombs.They remind their external appearance tombs of the Valley of the pharaohs, but their size is somewhat smaller.
capital of ancient Egypt, Thebes - is a place where you can see the painted tomb of Nefertari, wife of Ramses II.This tomb is very interesting.Its wall paintings from the walls to the ceiling, illustrate the "Book of the Dead."The Code, in the form of a starry sky, dawns burial chamber.This tomb after restoration (in 1995) was re-opened to the public.However, access here is limited: in groups of 10 people allowed visitors and only 10 minutes.Only 150 people have time to explore it for a day.
paintings adorn the walls of the tombs are also sons of Ramses III, and Amenherhepeshefa Haemuasa, early deaths.Paint wall painting as light intensity, if only today painted these pictures.
nobility Valley (Valley of the nobles)
Many ancient monuments can be found in a country like Egypt.Thebes - is no exception.They were not only the burial place of many of the pharaohs and their wives.Also here were buried many courtiers, high dignitaries and priests who wanted to stay even after his death next to their rulers.The tombs of the Valley of the form of the nobility - a huge necropolis, located along the eastern slopes of the mountains.It is actually 5 of the cemeteries, which are grouped around the array of rocks el-Tarif, al-Khokha, Kurnet Murey, Asasif, Dra 'Abu el-Naga' and Sheikh Abd el-Qurna.
Most of these tombs of Thebes (Egypt) dates back to the reign of the Pharaohs belonging to the XVIII and XIX dynasties.Even the ancient kingdom belong to the first burial Valley.There were buried in the Theban Middle Kingdom normahov, ie governors pharaoh who ruled Uaset Nome.XVII Dynasty Pharaohs in the second transitional period chosen place for his burial Dra 'Abu el-Naga'.The rulers of the New Kingdom necropolis was moved to its Valley of the Kings, leaving the dignitaries approached the eastern part of the Highlands.
Tombs of the Nobles, of course, were not as large as the tomb of the Pharaohs, which is famous for Egypt (Thebes).They consisted usually of several parts - an open courtyard enclosed by walls, shrines and burial chamber, leaving the ground.Entrance to the courtyard, since the XIX dynasty, was made in the form of a pylon that is a giant gate, which is an integral part of the architecture of temples adorned the city of Thebes (Egypt), and other cities of the ancient state.Funerary steles were installed in the yard.The sanctuaries were statues of the owner of the tomb.Mortuary cult of the dead went right here - read the various scriptures, sacrifices his life energy, which is considered to be one of the components of human nature.Grobnichnymi cones stones upper part of the facade.It was bricked into the thickness of the walls of "cap" clay "carnation" -tsilindry.Special stamp on their outer side was applied to the name of the owner of the tomb, and his earthly and posthumous titles.
paintings and reliefs of the tombs of nobles justly considered masterpieces of Egypt.Most often the walls of the tombs of the nobles decorated with scenes from their lives.The main idea of these paintings was a reflection of the major events in the life of a dignitary, as well as well-being, which it managed to achieve.This was done not for boasting.The Egyptians believed that all that was imprinted on the walls of the tomb, will be surrounded by the deceased in the afterlife and bring him joy.The most interesting tomb located in the necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna.On the walls there are pictures of some tombs funerary celebrations with dancers and musicians, court scenes, farmers at work.On the left wall, in most cases it shows a way of life of the deceased, and the rest - the ceremony of his burial.Valley nobility eventually became the burial place of many people.As of today, officially opened more than 500 tombs.
Colossi of Memnon
every tourist on the border of lifeless desert sands and wheat fields welcome Colossi of Memnon in the city of Thebes (Egypt).Guided tours are also very popular here.This giant statue of a local Amenhotep III.Once the two seated figures, whose height is 18 meters, guarded the entrance to the temple of Pharaoh posthumous, not preserved today.They found Greco-Roman graffiti, which date back to the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.These colossi at the time were known by the fact that one of them published at the beginning of a plaintive moan.It was believed that so welcomed Ethiopian Memnon, who was killed at the hands of Achilles during the Trojan War, Eos, goddess of the dawn, which was his mother.After restoration, carried out in 199 AD.e.sounds ceased.
Ramesseum
does not end local attractions.Thebes (Egypt) - a city that has much to offer tourists.Among other things - a huge mortuary temple dedicated to the god Amun, who ordered the construction of Ramses II.Today, the temple called the Ramesseum.It is preserved to this day in a very dilapidated condition.This temple was built on the west bank city of Thebes (Egypt) Penrith architect in ancient times by the monumental scale of superior design and similar monuments that were built by the pharaohs XVIII dynasty.
entrance to the ensemble is currently serving as a giant tower made of sandstone.Its surface was covered with painted reliefs.Scenes of war with the Hittites of Ramses II were depicted in relief.The first courtyard is for the pylon.Its south wall is also the facade of the palace, located here.The staircase led to the second courtyard, located above the first.Giant statue of Ramses, 20 meters high and weighing about 1 ths. Tons, stood on each side of the ladder.
The reception hall with 16 columns occupies the central part of the palace.From here you can get to the throne room and private quarters of the king.Behind the palace is a female house.Approach to the mortuary temple served as the second courtyard Ramesseum.The yard is decorated with porticos.Column Hall had 48 columns.Coloring their capitals perfectly preserved.She imitated the thickets of papyrus reeds which was considered eternal youth.Cellars and the main sanctuary, the cult of the temple, were of the pillared hall.The famous library was located in the Ramesseum.Diodorus hospital called her soul.In addition, there was a large school of scribes.Archaeologists have discovered the temple under the floors with pit burial priest the Middle Kingdom.Magic wands, papyri and several masks found in the burial chamber of the tomb.
Medinet Habu
capital of Egypt - Thebes - as you may have noticed, is the burial place of the plurality of ancient nobles.We describe another such place.Medinet Habu was once a quarry, destined for the construction of temples and tombs.Ramses III, modeled on Ramesseum, decided to build in the area of Medinet Habu his posthumous temple.At the entrance to the pylons depict scenes of victories over the enemies of the pharaoh.To the right of the entrance gate, within the garrison walls, seen the ancient temple dedicated to the gods.Left tower tombs wives of the god Amun.
All these attractions worth exploring, if you go on a trip to Egypt (Thebes).It is one thing - to read their description, quite another - to see with my own eyes.Certainly worth a visit to Egypt.Thebes especially lovers of antiquity and mystery stories.
