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Home > Tours > Egyptian Museum
part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4
The Egyptian Museum, Cairo
part 4. Greek / Roman Period & goodbye
Having walked around in a museum from the first pharaoh until the end of the Egyptian rule, one has not only passed 120000 object but also a period of two thousand years.
As that is not enough, when the Greek and Roman Empire was here they basically adjusted to the rule: "When in Egypt, do as the Egyptians do". So they built Egyptian temples, and made their gods into Egyptian gods. The Roman god Mercure and the Greek Hermes both became the Egyptian god Thoth and so forth.
No wonder some of these visitors stopped up a bit when they had to choose among the latest fashion in mummifications and coffins.
The Greek philosophers and thinkers had been to Egypt for study a long time. Solon the wisest of the wise in Athens came down to Yuno (Heliopolis) to learn, Plato did, Pythagoras and many more that we identify as the fundament of the Western Culture.
In year 332 BC the student of Aristotle's came to Egypt with his army and empire dreams. The oracle of the Amun temple in the Siwa Oasis pronounced him as pharaoh of Egypt, and the Greek period that should last for 300 years started and Alexandria was built including its famous light tower and library.
The last ruler of this period was Cleopatra VII, and we know her relation with Caesar and Antonius. When she and Antonius lost the battle against Octavius the Roman Empire took over the rule of Egypt.
Octavius became Emperor Augustus, and when he wanted to count the people in his empire a small child with the name of Jesus was born in a stable.
The child and its family then had to flee to Egypt to seek protection. They stayed here for several years and went nearly as far up the Nile as Luxor before they went back - and the rest is a story most will know.
The history of early Christianity is found all over Egypt and a own beautiful museum is dedicated this living heritage in Egypt (the Coptic Museum).
There are many corners and hiding places in the museum. Above is a photo proving that some of the mummies have their own "hide and seek" games.
Look for them next time you are coming, they are most likely hiding another place.
Leaving the museum, don't forget to say goodbye to Amonhotep II, Queen Tiy and their daughter. They lived for about 3500 years ago in the New Kingdom, and since then they have been embedded in this colossal statue that now stand in the end of the great hall, right ahead when coming in to the museum.
If you had a first time visit to the museum, then you will understand why they will sit there waiting for you to come back for a new tour at this gigantic museum.
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Tror du Egypt bare er fortidshistorie? Her er ett viktig maleri fra Mr. & Mrs. Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Museum. Dette post-impressionisten Gaugin med ett mer ukjent hovedverk (litt Edward Munch's i tema?).
