{"id":682,"date":"2023-10-27T09:30:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T09:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bastet.tksair.com\/?p=682"},"modified":"2025-11-03T22:17:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T22:17:30","slug":"its-good-to-be-the-pharaoh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bastet.tksair.com\/index.php\/2023\/10\/27\/its-good-to-be-the-pharaoh\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Good to be the Pharaoh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Tomb
Tomb of Seti I (KV17)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After Qena the Oberoi Zahra returned to Luxor where we will be spending the next few days. Formally known as Thebes, this location is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world thus is rich with monuments and museums. Across from Luxor on the Nile west bank is a place Pharaohs were dying to go to, the Theban Necropolis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mortuary
Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our first stop in the necropolis was Deir al-Bahari<\/a> and the Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut<\/a>. Pharaohs would build two buildings usually during their reign for their memory, a temple where they could be honored and a tomb where their remains and items needed for the afterlife could be stored. A mortuary temple is a combination of the two. Hatshepsut went on a construction spree as soon as she took the throne and her mortuary temple with its ramp and three large terraces is one of the finest examples of ancient architecture to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hey
Hey a picture of us!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Walking
Walking up the ramp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Statues
Statues of Hatshepsut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The festival courtyard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Inside
Inside the crypt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Illustrations
Illustrations on the walls of the Anubis shrine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A representation of a united Egypt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A view down the ramp looking towards Luxor and the Temple of Karnak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was suprised to learn that Hatshepsut’s temple is actually the third temple to be built at this location, the first temple was for Mentuhotep II<\/a> and its construction was a break from the tradition of buring Pharaohs in Pyramids. Nice that they are, Pyramids, are expensive, labor intensive and easy targets for looting due to their being conspicuous. So new ways to honor the Pharaohs and protect the goods they would need in the afterlife that were placed with them were sought out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mentuhotep
Mentuhotep II’s temple being reconstructed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Another
Another nearby balloon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mentuhotep II’s temple inspired the construction of the Mortuary Temple of Thutmose III and finally the well known Mortuary temple of Hatshepsut<\/a>. The older temples are to the left of Hatshepsut’s when viewed face on, unfortunately Thutmose III’s was damaged in a rock slide and Mentuhotep II’s was also covered in debris and was rediscovered at the end of the 19th century with restoration efforts going on today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our next stop was W\u0101d\u012b el-Mul\u016bk aka The Valley of the Kings. In an attempt to curb looting Pharaohs started having tombs created starting with Thutmose I. Inspite of its name, favored family members and noted officials are also buried in the valley. El Qurn, a peak that overlooks the valley has a pyramid shape which was important in egyptian society previously. Also the valley was rather isolated with a single way in making it easy to guard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Japanese Government gifted Egypt with a 3D model of the Valley of the Kings. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The model shows the underground shape of the tombs as well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The modern entrance to the Valley of the Kings. What would the ancients think?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The ride in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A view of El Qurn from the valley floor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We managed to visit five tombs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n