Pathways Egypt

Today, the use of the word ‘Pharaoh’ is used to refer to a king-like ruler of ancient Egypt, though this usage actually evolved over time. The original usage and meaning is ‘Royal House’, just as we would describe the Windsor Royal House for the current United Kingdom monarchy. In time, however, the word’s usage began to change until eventually it literally referred to a “king”.

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt ruled similarly to their Western counterparts. They rule on an hereditary basis, though the title did not always pass direct from father-to-son. Each direct set of descendants are attributed to a ‘Dynasty’, which is usually prefaced with a number. For example, the builder of the Pyramid of Giza Khufu was a Fourth Dynasty Pharaoh, while the boy-king Tutankhamun was Nineteenth Dynasty. By and large, however, the blood line is preserved in one way or another through a matrilineal (traced through the female line) descent.

Pharaohs were human beings on earth as well as, scripture says, representatives of the Egyptians Gods. The initial belief was that the Pharaohs were the sons of the cow deity Bat, but this eventually changed. The most well known belief was that, in life, the Pharaohs were the earthly incarnation of the deity Horus in life and Osiris once dead. Upon the death of a Pharaoh, they were believed to unite with Osiris, the God of the Afterlife.

Given the often misogynistic approach of most ancient civilizations, the Pharaohs were remarkably forward thinking. The blood line was passed through the female line, and the right to be a Pharaoh depended on birth (or marriage) to a previous Queen. The wives of a Pharaoh were involved in society and governance, and while the Pharaoh was always the supreme leader and male, the role of women was well appreciated.

The Pharaohs duties include everything we would associate with Kingship today, in terms of both government and ceremonial duty. They also, though their believed link to Osiris, played a religious role in Ancient Egypt.

Egypt, it’s fair to say, is one of the most fascinating and surprising countries you can visit. Very often when one speaks of a holiday to a certain country, you can immediately divine from that information what they will do, where they will go and what they will see. In Egypt, things are not like that. There is the stunning historic backdrop of Luxor, to many people the jewel in the crown of Egypt with its temples and fascinating ancient artifacts – along with a museum of mummification. There is the combination of urban modernity with vibrant history that you will find in and around Cairo, too.

Then you have the seaside idyll of Sharm el-Sheikh. Although not possessed of as rich a history as Cairo, Alexandria or Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh has quickly become one of the places to go in Egypt. It may not have the Pyramids, nor the temples or old landmarks that are available in the other places, but it has such incredible natural beauty that any tourist will be captivated at first sight. This is not a case of modern architecture overcoming a bland history, this is a jewel that lay undiscovered for too long, used as a fishing port and naval harbor. Now, it is an essential part of any Egypt tour.

There is so much on offer in Egypt that it is hard to believe that the world ever fell out of love with it. Of course there was always interest in it from people with a firm interest in history, but for some time Egypt fell behind Rome and Greece in the eyes of lovers of Ancient History. The country of Egypt, and many of its towns and cities, owe their renaissance to Muhammad Ali, the modernizing influence who reawakened Alexandria and the country at large. That any modern day Egypt tour will take in so many sites is due in no small part to him

When planning a cheap Egypt tour, it is possible to buy an affordable package trip from any travel agent. Equally, however, you could arrange it yourself and pick the bits that sound best to you.