ancient egypt
Harris 1
Hannah Harris
Mrs. Cox
ENGL 2410
10 March 2014
Egyptian Pyramids Pyramids are constructed with a square base that builds up to a pointed top around five hundred feet tall with block stones standing taller than the average person. These colossal icons paint a picture of what one believes ancient Egypt was like. The rough stones were so sturdy they survived over forty-five hundred years of sand storms and typical weathering. “Even after thousands of years, and without its original white limestone covering, the Pyramid of Khufu is still one of the greatest wonders of the world. Whether it's the pyramids on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt, or the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan in Mexico, pyramids have always fascinated people” (Lusted, Marcia Amidon). However, as interesting as it sounds, why were they created? What good did it do for the Egyptians? And what was really inside these giant walls? Each year thousands of tourists will travel to Egypt to visit the Great Pyramids and step back into the past and get an inside view on the Egyptians culture. It is no surprise that pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, considering there is more than just a tomb inside. The purpose of a pyramid was to hold the Pharaoh bodies, usually the more famous and known. Also, to keep their riches enclosed with them. “The shape of the
Harris 2 pyramid was meant to resemble a pathway to the afterlife. It would help the pharaoh find his way to the sky to join the gods. The pyramids were also a place where the pharaoh's body could rest, safe and protected, and where his priests could make offerings to the king's spirit”(____________). The pyramid was a symbol of power for these Pharaohs and a sense of entitlement. Therefore, whenever pyramids were no longer being built, Egyptians would still place a small pyramid on top of their tomb to save the overall meaning of a “pathway” to god. The building of an ancient pyramid was not overnight. It
Hannah Harris
Mrs. Cox
ENGL 2410
10 March 2014
Egyptian Pyramids Pyramids are constructed with a square base that builds up to a pointed top around five hundred feet tall with block stones standing taller than the average person. These colossal icons paint a picture of what one believes ancient Egypt was like. The rough stones were so sturdy they survived over forty-five hundred years of sand storms and typical weathering. “Even after thousands of years, and without its original white limestone covering, the Pyramid of Khufu is still one of the greatest wonders of the world. Whether it's the pyramids on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt, or the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan in Mexico, pyramids have always fascinated people” (Lusted, Marcia Amidon). However, as interesting as it sounds, why were they created? What good did it do for the Egyptians? And what was really inside these giant walls? Each year thousands of tourists will travel to Egypt to visit the Great Pyramids and step back into the past and get an inside view on the Egyptians culture. It is no surprise that pyramids are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, considering there is more than just a tomb inside. The purpose of a pyramid was to hold the Pharaoh bodies, usually the more famous and known. Also, to keep their riches enclosed with them. “The shape of the
Harris 2 pyramid was meant to resemble a pathway to the afterlife. It would help the pharaoh find his way to the sky to join the gods. The pyramids were also a place where the pharaoh's body could rest, safe and protected, and where his priests could make offerings to the king's spirit”(____________). The pyramid was a symbol of power for these Pharaohs and a sense of entitlement. Therefore, whenever pyramids were no longer being built, Egyptians would still place a small pyramid on top of their tomb to save the overall meaning of a “pathway” to god. The building of an ancient pyramid was not overnight. It