The Ancient Egyptian World

Takingreadersback4,000years,tothefertilelandaroundtheNileRiver,TheAncientEgyptianWorldtellsthestoriesofthekings,queens,pharaohs,gods,tombbuilders,andordinarycitizenswholivedthere.Usingpapyri,scarabs,tombinscriptions,mummies,andarichvarietyofotherprimarysources,EricH.ClineandJillRubalcabauncoverthefascinatinghistoryofancientEgypt.Scarabs,whichscholarscall"imperialnewsbulletins,"recordimportantmomentsinapharaoh'sreign.TheEdwinSmithPapyrusdetailstheinjuriessustainedbythebuildersofthegreatpyramids,andtheremediesusedtotreatthem.Foraworkerwhohashadastonefallonhishead,itsuggests:"binditwithfreshmeat...andtreatafterwardwithgrease,honeyandlint."Acomplexrecipeforatop-of-the-linemummydescribesaprocessthatcouldtake70daysandinvolveddrawingthebrainoutthroughthenosewithacrookedpieceofiron.TheseprimarysourcesalsotellthestoriesofthepeopleofancientEgypt:PepiII,thesix-year-oldboykingwhocommandedarmies;RamessesII,whosemortuarytempleboastsofhisexpertiseinbattleagainsttheHittites;QueenHatshepsut,theonlywomantoruleEgyptaspharaoh;andCleopatra,whocourtedRomanstatesmanMarkAntonyaspartofherquesttoextendtheEgyptianempire.TheAncientEgyptianWorldhonorsthehistoryofacivilizationwhosemonumentsandtombsstillcapturetheimaginationoftheworldthousandsofyearslater.