Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Global Treasures - Kom Ombo - Egypt

Global Treasures - Kom Ombo - Egypt


Kom Ombo

Today, the Egyptian city of Kom Ombo has approximately 70,000 inhabitants. Its outstanding double temple has made it famous throughout the world.

Today, the mummified remains of ancient Nile crocodiles are displayed within a chapel that was once dedicated to the goddess, Hathor.These great reptiles were worshipped as sacred animals. One half of the double temple belonged to the crocodile-headed deity, Sobek, the son of Hathor.

Todays Kom Ombo Temple was divided into two asymmetric parts by its Ptolemaic builders. Within the right section of the building, Sobek was worshipped, while the left half was dedicated to Haroeris.

The external surrounding wall of the temple contains several strange pictures and reliefs including portrayals of early medical instruments.A kind of medicine cupboard was carved into the stone. It shows highly developed medical implements, among them a variety of surgical instruments and even forceps. The profession of doctor was popular and widespread throughout ancient Egypt. However, the Gods were also called upon as soon as there was illness as it was believed that medicine alone could not provide a cure.

Images of numerous Egyptian rulers adorn the walls. Queen Cleopatra, the legendary last Ptolemaic sovereign, was also immortalized here. Outside the temple there is a Birth House next to the small Hathor Chapel. The Mammisi contains the remarkable portrayal of a nursing mother. During the Ptolemaic period each temple contained a Mammisi that was decorated with portrayals and hieroglyphs. Here, the birth of the children of the gods was celebrated.

Due to the ancient relics and the double temple of Kom Ombo we have been able to gain an even greater understanding of Egypts fascinating past.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Terra Mystica CHEOPS PYRAMID Egypt

Terra Mystica CHEOPS PYRAMID Egypt


CHEOPS PYRAMID

The Cheops Pyramid is located in the Egyptian city of Giza, which was once a necropolis of ancient Memphis. It was constructed on the orders of Pharaoh Khufu and was destined to be his magnificent burial chamber.

Dating from around 2560 B.C., it took twenty years to build and was the world's tallest Man made structure for more than 4, 000 years.

Global Treasures LUXOR Egypt

Global Treasures LUXOR Egypt


LUXOR, Egypt

Egypt's Golden Age commenced with Thebes, known today as Luxor, which lies on the eastern bank of the Nile. Homer referred to Luxor's temples as, El-Uqsor", "The Place of Palaces". From Ramses to Tut-ench-Amun...from Tutmosis to Hatschepsut...Egyptian rulers have bequeathed a priceless inheritance of monumental architecture.


Statues from the era of Ramses the Second, temples, necropolis' -- cities of the dead -- hieroglyphics, sphinxes and obelisks...they're all here in Luxor, the birthplace of modern Egyptology.


Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

7 Days Egypt

7 Days Egypt


Egypt is a land of monumental temples, gigantic pyramids, the River Nile and the mysterious Sphinx: 5000 years of history.Founded by Alexander The Great in 332 B.C., the city of Alexandria is located in the Nile Delta and it was here that Caesar and Mark Anthony fell under Cleopatra's spell. Cairo is Africa's largest city and the heart of the Arab world, extreme poverty living next to opulent wealth, and modern, Western boutiques next to ancient souks. The Cairo Museum is home to the most extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities, including the golden mask and tomb of Tutankamun.Towering above almost any other human achievement are the impressive three pyramids of Gisa. The Cheops Pyramid, the world's largest single construction, took four hundred thousand workers twenty years to build. It weighs as much as all the cathedrals in Europe put together and spans an area of 53,000 square metres - the height of a fifty storey skyscraper.In the middle of today's modern city of Luxor, known as the 'Capital City Of The Pharaohs', the Luxor Temple stretches along the eastern banks of the Nile and, not far away, the temple complex of Karnak and the Amun Temple.67 kilometres from Luxor, on the western bank of the Nile, lies the Temple Of Dendera, the most important place of worship for the love goddess, HATHOR, whose heavenly appearance was portrayed by the body of a cow. At Aswan, the landscape of the Nile is enchanting, but it is the stone temples of Abu Simbel that take one back to ancient Egypt, land of the Pharaohs, and archaeological paradise

LUXOR Egypt

LUXOR Egypt


LUXOR, Egypt Egypts Golden Age commenced with Thebes, known today as Luxor, which lies on the eastern bank of the Nile.Homer referred to Luxors temples as, El-Uqsor, The Place of Palaces.From Ramses to Tutankhamen, from Tutmosis to Hatschepsut, Egyptian rulers have bequeathed a priceless inheritance of monumental architecture.Statues from the era of Ramses the Second, temples, necropolis cities of the dead hieroglyphics, sphinxes and obelisks, theyre all here in Luxor, the birthplace of modern Egyptology. Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations.Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage.Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments. Buy this film on DVD in a collector souvenir case or download. Great for memories of trip taken, educational tool for the classroom, library, and more at TravelVideoStore.com

Global Treasures THEBES Theben Egypt

Global Treasures THEBES Theben Egypt


Thebes is the legendary necropolis on the Nile's western shore. Two impressive 18m high Colossus Of Memnos watch over the entrance. It is here that The Valley of the Kings is located. Apart from the Pyramids of Gizeh, this is the most famous location in Egypt.

More than 60 graves have been discovered in the necropolis including that of the great king, Ramses I. The first Egyptian ruler, Thutmosis I, was buried in the Valley Of The Kings. Prior to this, Amanophis I had prepared a secret grave in nearby rocks. In addition to the royal burial places, more then 500 private graves of priests, aristocrats and civil servants that date back from between the 11th and 26th Dynasties, have also been discovered here.

In contrast to the royal graves, the portrayals and hieroglyphics that are contained in the burial places of the middle classes contain worldly objects. The everyday life of ancient Egypt is illustrated in exquisite detail. In ancient times it was believed that the addition of hieroglyphics on tomb walls and artistically designed reliefs comforted the dead on their journey through the underworld.

Close by is the Valley of the Queens where over 70 tombs have been discovered. Apart from royal queens, numerous dead princes were also buried in this part of the necropolis, such as the son of Ramses III.

The work of the archaeologists has not yet been completed on this site and so it is quite likely that this scared place will one day reveal more of its splendid and mysterious treasures.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Global Treasures DENDERA Dendera Temple Complex Egypt

Global Treasures DENDERA Dendera Temple Complex Egypt


On the desert border between Luxor and Abydos is the impressive Hathor Temple of Dendera, one of ancient Egypt's most important cities. The existence of the sanctuary for the goddess of love, music, dance and joy dates back to the Early Ancient Empire of 2000 years B.C.

Facts relating to the later extension of the temple area ordered by the kings of the 12th Dynasty have also been preserved. Over the years the deciphering of numerous hieroglyphs has revealed numerous ancient fertility rites and also a comprehensive impression of Dendera.

The design of the Hathor Temple originates from Late Ptolomaic times. Construction of the temple began in 30 B.C when the country was under Roman rule. The emperors Augustus and Tiberius finally completed the temple in 14 A.D.

Architecturally, the monumental sanctuary of Dendera very much resembles other Egyptian temples in Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Being the last sovereign of the Ptolomaians, legendary Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, has been immortalized on the southern outer wall of the temple.

The remarkable history of Dendera as an important place of worship can be traced back to a period that extends from antiquity to the golden years of the Roman Empire and to the roots of Christianity.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

LUXOR EGYPT

LUXOR EGYPT


This is part of a series, Planet Terra, which when licensed allows you to add your own custom narration to meet you specific marketing needs. Contact us at TravelVideoStore.com for more details about licensing this episode or any of the 365 other episodes to destinations around the world.

Global Treasures Memphis & Sakkara Egypt

Global Treasures Memphis & Sakkara Egypt


Around 2900 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one Great Empire, the Pharaohs declared Memphis, which lies in the southern Nile Delta, as their capital city.

During its golden years in the second millennium B.C., Memphis extended 15 km, from Gizeh to Sakkara. Up until the time of the Roman Empire, this ancient city's former buildings had been constructed from air-dried bricks and therefore, due to this process, sadly did not survive the years. Granite and limestone were used solely for its Temples, Palaces And Statues. The frightening and dismissive gesture of the Sphinx was meant to frighten away grave robbers and guard the Necropolis, the place of the dead. Its lion's body and human head symbolize courage and mental prowess.

Apart from Gizeh, Sakkara, in Lower Egypt, was an important city dedicated to the dead. The mother of all pyramids lies here, Pharaoh Djoser's Step Pyramid, which dates back to the year 2600 B.C.

For almost 5000 years these stones have survived the forces of nature and who knows what future excavations may reveal from the sands of the Egyptian desert, sands that are not only of time but which held the hopes of the pharaohs and created among the richest treasures known to mankind.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Edfu Egypt

Edfu Egypt


Mighty walls protect the interior of the beautiful Edfu Temple in the legendary land of the Pharaohs, a holy place that was constructed according to ancient Egyptian tradition, built by the Ptolemaics between 237 and 57 B.C.

Although the Edfu Temple is among one of Egypts earlier temples, its architecture, with an inner courtyard and magnificent columns, reflects the design of far older temples.The interior of the temple contains a huge array of hieroglyphics that describe religious legends, while others tell of ancient mythological tales that involve war and battle.

In the temples holiest place is the altar that held the Sun Barque and also a solid granite shrine which dates back to the 30th dynasty.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations.Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage.Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.