A remarkable testimony to the grandeur of ancient Egypt, the Ramesseum, commissioned by Ramses II in 1258 BC, stands as a temple dedicated to his own glory. Ramses the Great, as he was later called, was indeed the king of kings, the most powerful (and megalomaniacal) ruler of classical Egypt, who led the country to the height of its power and achieved several records: he had the longest reign of all his New Kingdom counterparts (67 years), the largest territory (from Nubia to Syria), the longest lifespan (died around age 90), the most populous family (dozens of wives, almost 100 children), and the most imposing statue (6 feet tall, exceptional for the time).
From soaring over the mighty River Nile to gazing at the grandeur of the pyramids, the aerial perspective offers a unique window into the captivating world of ancient Egypt. As we embark on a journey through time, we’ll unravel the mysteries and wonders of this ancient civilization, examining its remarkable achievements and uncovering the secrets hidden within the sands. Join us as we explore the rich history of Ancient Egypt from a perspective that is both inspiring and enlightening: from above.
A Vickers Vimy biplane, a relic of the pioneering days of aviation in the 1920s, soars over the Giza plain, the pyramids still dominating the landscape as they have for millennia.
The west of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings are the grandeur of the Kings, where more than 400 tombs of kings, queens, priests, nobles, princes, and even workers have been discovered. In this photo, you can see the entrances to the tombs of Tutankhamun (in the center) and Ramses II (in the far left).
The monumental pyramid (18 meters high) of Amenhotep III (14th century BC), which the Greeks renamed “Colossi of Memnon” in honor of a legendary Ethiopian hero. They were part of a temple, now almost completely destroyed, in the west.
The Sphinx of Giza, located near Cairo, represents Pharaoh Khafre (who had it built approximately 4,500 years ago) with the body of a lion. Carved out of a limestone outcrop, it is approximately 74 meters long and 20 meters high.
The Unfinished Obelisk of Aswan, with an approximate length of 42 meters and a weight of 1,150 tons. From their study, much knowledge has been gained about the techniques used by the ancient Egyptians to extract obelisks from quarries.
The village of Deir el-Bahari, located in the Valley of the Kings (1479-1457 BC). The ancient Egyptians believed in the afterlife, as long as the body of the deceased got there intact, helped by magical spells.
Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple in the Valley of the Kings, near Luxor. The architect who “signed” it was Senenmut, the queen’s favorite person. Senenmut was granted the privilege of a sacred tomb under the court’s supervision.
A historical photo: one of the first aerial views of the two main pyramids of Giza. We are in 1932.