Jim and Ethan discover an interloper - Sekhmet. The day is spent on the West Bank looking at tombs and temples, followed by a Ṣa‘īdi evening meal, prior to meeting Khonsu, and then the return to the 'Cave of the Lion'.
'What could that be ?' - Ethan thought.
'A scorpion.....no, too light - too small.....a big snake....possibly....!'
Ethan then decided to be very brave, and peeked over the bed clothes.
It was black and fluffy.
"Jim ! Wake up !... there's a kitty at the bottom of our bed !", Ethan exclaimed.
"Yes... OK.", Jim mumbled, determined to try, just for once, to have a 'lie in'.
"It's a 'cat-thingy'... on our bed !" Ethan said, determined to get Jim awake.
By then Teddy had climbed onto the bed.
"Don't panic, Ethan... it's just a cat - well, sort of...", Teddy said.
The cat got up, and lazily went over to where Teddy was by then sitting, obviously expecting to be stroked.
"Is it that black cat Bastet, from last night ?", Ethan asked, staring wide eyed at the svelte feline.
"No...", Teddy replied, "although it's an easy mistake to make....
This is Sekhmet, Bastet's twin sister.
If you remember, last night, Khonsu offered to give her to Ethan.....
and he said he'd think about it...", Teddy continued.
"Yes Teddy, so how did she get here ?", Jim, who by then had woken up, asked.
"Morning Jim.... well give me a minute, and I'll find out.", Teddy replied.
"You can talk to her ?", Ethan asked, surprised.
"Yes.... it's no problem.
 |
| Glaux the Owl |
It's like talking to Glaux... owls think in 'Owl', and cats think in 'Cat'... it's obvious.
'All done by telepathy." Teddy said.
"So do all animals have their own language ?", Ethan asked.
"No... only the clever ones....", Teddy replied.
"OK...that's enough of that...
Can this cat tell us how she got here ?", Jim asked, sounding a little annoyed - maybe because he only just woken up.
"Well... this cat is Sekhmet - remember that - and she has explained that she slipped into Hassan's taxi... got on board Mahmoud's motor boat... followed us into the Winter Palace, where she got into our suite, and hid in towels in the bathroom.
Later, while you were downstairs, she had a talk with Faunus, and after you and Ethan went to bed she simply joined you, as she likes to be warm at night.", Teddy said.
"Well, quite sensible... I like to be warm at night...", Ethan said.
"So what are we going to do with Sekhmet....? We could always take her back to Khonsu...", Jim suggested.
"Oh no, Jim...that would be most unwise...", Teddy said, sounding alarmed.
"We must presume that Khonsu is Arab - even if he seems not to be - and to refuse a gift would be taken by him as a serious insult.
We need Khonsu, so we mustn't upset him, and with me, Sekhmet will be no problem, you see...", Teddy said
"And what about the hotel management and staff ?", Jim asked, still not convinced.
"Don't worry, Jim, I will ensure that no one even notices her...", Teddy said reassuringly.
 |
| Sekhmet - Playing with the Butterflies Winter Palace Garden - Luxor Egypt |
So they showered, got dressed, and went down to breakfast, with Sekhmet daintily accompanying them - and as Teddy had promised, no one even noticed her.
It was breakfast in the gardens once again, and Sekhmet wandered off into the flower beds - to do what cats do first thing in the morning.
Then, while the 'boys' talked, Sekhmet played with the butterflies.
"So I have been 'checking out' why the cave we have been looking for is in the form of a lion's head - and I think 'I have a lead'...", Teddy said, using some of the outmoded slang he had picked up from some of Ethan's 40s and 50s movie DVDs.
He was trying to sound more 'up to date' and 'interesting' - but not really succeeding.
"There is an Egyptian neter called 'Aker'.
Aker was first depicted as the head of a recumbent lion with a widely opened mouth - like in the cave Khonsu found.
 |
| Aker |
Later, Aker was depicted as two recumbent lion torsos merged with each other and looking away from each other.
From Middle Kingdom onwards Aker appears as a pair of twin lions, one named Duaj, meaning 'yesterday', and the other Sefer, meaning 'tomorrow'.
Aker was thus often titled 'He who looks forward and backwards' - a bit like the Roman god Janus.
When depicted as a lion pair, a hieroglyphic sign for 'horizon', which was two merged mountains, and a sun disc was put between the lions with the lions sitting back-to-back.
In later times, Aker also appeared as two merged torsos of recumbent sphinxes with human heads.
The location of Aker's main cult centre is unknown, though, his mythological role was fully described in the 'Pyramid Texts'.", Teddy concluded.
"And no visual aids ?", Ethan asked...
"Well I do have and image of Aker upstairs, if anyone's interested.", Teddy replied, but no one took up the offer.
"So... It's all lions and 'kitty-cats' now - as Ethan would say...", Josh said, with a smile.
"Seems so...", Jim said, as he watched Sekhmet bounding among the flowers in pursuit of butterflies.
"So... if you want to do some more sightseeing on the West Bank you'd better come now, but remember, only Faunus - wherever he is - me, Ethan and Teddy will be staying after sunset."
And so Jim phoned Mahmoud, who phoned Hassan... and meanwhile they all trooped off to the Corniche - followed by Sekhmet, to wait for Mahmoud's felucca.
It was a fine bright morning, and the warm breeze took them speedily over to the West Bank.
Hassan was waiting for them, and it was just a short drive to the village of Birat, and the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu.
The area in front of the Temple at Medinet Habu was a bit bleak.
Directly facing the temple is the tiny village of Kom Lolah - which was the village where Mahmoud's family lived.
Directly facing the temple is the tiny village of Kom Lolah - which was the village where Mahmoud's family lived.
The temple itself is backed by the Theban Hills - the same hills that the 'boys' had been searching the previous night when they had been looking for the cave.
There is no car-park, and there are no souvenir stalls - in fact the whole place is pretty deserted.
They had no option but to leave Hassan's taxi some distance from the temple itself, and walk, with Ethan carrying Teddy, and Jim, looking rather embarrassed, as he carried Sekhmet.
Sekhmet, however, looked as if she liked being fussed over and carried.
As they walked towards the massive pylon, reminiscent of Karnak, but in much better condition, Teddy began his inevitable lecture.
"So gentlemen - and lady if we include Sekhmet - the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu is an important New Kingdom period temple.
Aside from its size and architectural and artistic importance, the temple is probably best known as the source of inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramesses III.
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| Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III - Medinet Habu - West Bank - Luxor |
Aside from its size and architectural and artistic importance, the temple is probably best known as the source of inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramesses III.
The temple is 490 ft long, and is of orthodox design, and closely resembles the nearby mortuary temple of Ramesses II - which is also known as the Ramesseum.
The temple precinct measures 690 ft. by 1,000 ft., and contains more than 75,347 sq ft of decorated wall reliefs.
Its walls are relatively well preserved, and it is surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure, which may have been fortified.
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| Plan of Ramesses III Mortuary Temple - Medinet Habu |
The original entrance is through a fortified gatehouse, known as a 'migdol'.
The first pylon leads into an open courtyard, lined with colossal statues of Ramesses III as Osiris on one side, and uncarved columns on the other.
The second pylon leads into a peristyle hall, again featuring columns in the shape of Ramesses."...
Ethan interrupted...
"What's peristyle-thingy' mean ? "
"Yes, well peristyle - without the 'thingy' - means a continuous porch formed by a row of columns surrounding the perimeter of building or a courtyard.
Although ancient Egyptian architecture predates Greek and Roman antiquity, historians frequently use the Greek term 'peristyle' to describe similar, earlier structures in ancient Egyptian palace architecture ... OK ?", Teddy said curtly.
"Yes... thanks Teddy.", Ethan replied - wishing he's never asked.
Teddy continued...
"The third pylon is reached by continuing up a ramp that leads through a columned portico, and then opens into a large hypostyle hall, which unfortunately has lost its roof.
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| Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III - Medinet Habu - Luxor |
Reliefs and actual heads of foreign captives were also found placed within the temple, perhaps in an attempt to symbolize the king's control over Syria and Nubia.
Oddly, just beside the mortuary temple there is also a small temple dedicated to the god Amun.
This temple was originally built by Queen Hatshepsut, and then later altered by King Tuthmosis III, before being modified once again during the Roman period.", Teddy explained.
"Sorry to interrupt, Teddy, but what actually is a mortuary temple...?", Max asked.
"Ah... good question...", Ethan added, wondering if Teddy actually knew.
"Well you've actually already seen one... in Saqqara, at the Pyramid of Unas...
But to answer your question, mortuary temples were temples that were erected near royal tombs.
The temples were designed to commemorate the reign of the Pharaoh under whom they were constructed, as well as for use by the king's cult after death.
The New Kingdom temples, built on the West Bank at Thebes were called 'Mansions of Millions of Years' by the ancient Egyptians.
The mortuary temples were also used as a resting place for the 'Boat of Amun' - the 'bark', remember ? - at the time of the 'Festival of the Valley', during which the 'cult statue' of the Amun visited the West Bank of Thebes.
Probably the best known mortuary Temple is at Deir el-Bahari, where the female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut, built her famous temple
The 19th Dynasty Pharaoh, Seti I, constructed his temple at what is now known as Gurna - where the coffee shop, and the mosque where we were last night, are situated.
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| Painted Ceiling - Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III |
Nearby, Ramesses II constructed his 'mortuary temple', usually referred to as the 'Ramesseum', which is in fact Ramesses 'Temple of a Million Years'.
Medinet Habu is a much later mortuary temple, constructed during the 20th Dynasty by Ramesses III.
Oh, and if you like the gory bits, there are carved reliefs of severed hands and genitals - it was the ancient Egyptians' way of keeping a tally of how many of their enemies had been killed.", Teddy finally added.
So Teddy had finished his little talk, but there was plenty of time for the 'boys' to wander round the huge, and almost deserted mortuary temple.
"It's 'cool', and what I like about it is all the colours.
In the other temples there's very little colour - but here you can see that it was beautifully painted.", Glen said.
As they admired the paintings, Mahmoud joined them.
He had left his felucca in the care of a close friend, and had 'phoned Hassan to collect him from the waterfront, and bring him home.
And home, of course, for Mahmoud, was a small mud-brick house almost directly opposite the Medinet Habu Temple.
At the same time, Ethan was wandering around the temple, looking for sculptures of severed genitals with Teddy, when Faunus suddenly appeared from behind a column - apparently out of nowhere.
"I wish you wouldn't do that, Faunus... it's very unsettling...", Ethan said, although really he was very pleased to see Faunus.
"Now remember, I'm 'Ali', just so that you don't cause any confusion - and tell the others...", Faunus said quietly, as he tweaked Teddy's ear.
"OK... then who am I ?", Ethan asked, not really thinking.
"You're Ethan, of course...", Faunus said, grinning.
"OK...", Ethan replied.
"So let's go and see Mahmoud...", Faunus suggested.
"What... he's here ?", Ethan said, surprised.
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| Kom Lolah - El Birat - West Bank - Luxor - Egypt |
"Yes, he lives very near here, in the village of Kom Lolah, and I think he's come back for lunch.", Faunus explained.
So Faunus rounded up the group, and they made their way out of the precincts of the mortuary temple complex, crossed the road, and made their way to the house belonging to the family of Mahmoud, where Mahmoud was relaxing on a مَصْطَبة - 'maṣṭaba' (a mudbrick bench).
"Ah, my friend Ali...", Mahmoud began, as he spotted them approaching.
Many young Egyptian men had an unfortunate habit of addressing 'foreigners', who they had only recently met, and hardly knew, as 'my friend'.
Most of the time they didn't realize they were doing it - as it was initially a ploy intended to gain the confidence of a (probably) rich, (by Egyptian standards) foreign tourist.
Mahmoud, however, thought that Faunus (Ali) was not a tourist, but apparently a 'a tourist guide' - either Egyptian, or at least Arab - but he was confused by Faunus' fluency in speaking Ṣa‘īd Arabic - a special dialect and accent, only used by those born and living in Upper Egypt - and also he knew that there was something very 'strange' about Faunus, as the rumour had spread from Qurnah that Sheikh Ahmed had addressed Ali as 'Sheikh Ali'.
"So you have brought your 'khawaja' (foreign) friends to see our village... you are welcome.", Mahmoud said, rather over enthusiastically.
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| Kom Lolah - Fields - El Birat - West Bank - Luxor - Egypt |
Now Mahmoud's father was a فلاح - fallāḥ - a farmer - with land at the rear of the house, and was known to one and all as سادي - 'el Saadi' - 'the lucky one', and Mahmoud was usually known as 'Mahmoud Saadi'.
Mahmoud thought of himself as having 'moved one up' from his father, as he worked with the 'tourists', and when his luck was in, as with having met up with the young man he knew as 'Ali', he would make good money - and considerably more than his father.
And it was for this reason that he managed to overlook 'Ali's' apparent 'strangeness' - and was trying to prolong the connection to make the most of his fortunate meeting.
It was the connection with the Sheikh that made 'Ali' respectable, and a person that could be invited, with his 'foreign friends' into the family home.
When Faunus, Jim and the boys arrived at the house, Mahmoud's father was not at home - Egyptian farmers, with their own land, worked long, hard hours.
Mahmoud's mother, a kindly, chubby woman, made herself busy, however, plumping up cushions, and preparing 'shai'.
Then, regardless of Faunus protestations, she proceeded to make a light lunch, which included the most delicious fried potatoes imaginable.
"So where did the cat come from ?", Mahmoud's mother asked Faunus (in Arabic), when she noticed Sekhmet curled up on a cushion..
"Oh, he belongs to Ethan...", Faunus replied - also in Arabic.
"And the young man brought her all the way from America ?", Mahmoud's mother asked.
"Oh no... the cat was a gift from a friend in Qurnah - someone who knows the Sheikh.", Faunus explained.
Mentioning the Sheikh was quite enough to prevent any further awkward questions.
"قطة جميلة جدا - a very beautiful cat...", Mahmoud's mother commented, admiringly.
"So what are you planning to see this afternoon, Ali ?....", Mahmoud asked.
"Well, as we are quite near, I thought perhaps the Temple of Hatshepsut...", Faunus replied.
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| Buffalo - Kom Lolah - El Birat - West Bank - Luxor |
"Well yes, but I think Hassan's taxi is a little bit small for our group...
"Yes... well Hassan could always make two journeys, or get one of his friends to help out.". Mahmoud replied.
"Yes... I think two taxis would be best.", Faunus said.
"Well come... Before you go let me show you something outside.", Mahmoud said.
Ethan followed Mahmoud and Faunus to the rear of the house.
"Wowy !...Lunch !...", Ethan said as he caught sight of the young buffalo.
So having had an excellent lunch - once the taxis arrived the 'boys', and Teddy and Sekhmet set of for the temple of Hatshepsut.
So having had an excellent lunch - once the taxis arrived the 'boys', and Teddy and Sekhmet set of for the temple of Hatshepsut.
"So what did you think of the family home..?", Ethan asked, as they bumped along the road that led to the Temple of Hatshepsut.
"Very welcoming, and an excellent lunch.", Jim replied.
"What's interesting is how similar a present day Egyptian house is to those in ancient times.", Teddy commented.
"But how do we know what ordinary people's house looked like then... all we've seen are temples and pyramids.", Ethan commented.
"True, but there are the remains of the houses of the people who built the temples and tombs on the West Bank, and also pictures, and even models of ordinary peoples' houses in the tombs of the nobles - which are situated near where we found our cave.", Teddy said.
"So now you know, Ethan.
And why is it that this cat, that's supposed to belong to you, always ends up on my lap ?", Jim asked.
"Well you're obviously just a 'cat person'.", Ethan replied.
And then they came to a huge natural amphitheatre in the Theban hills - in which was situated the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
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| 'Djeser-Djeseru' - The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - الدير البحري - 'Deir el-Bahari' |
"Jeepers !....that's big !", Ethan said, and even Sekhmet lifted her head to look - just for a quick moment.
"So where is this place, Hassan - what's it called ?", Jim asked.
"This, Sir, is دير البحري - 'Deir el-Bahari' - it means, in Englesi the 'Northern Monastery'....", Hassan replied in heavily accented English.
"You like I tell you more, Sir ?", Hassan asked.
Like many young men living in the area, Hassan fancied himself as a 'guide', as a way of making a little more money, but it was strictly ilegal without an approved government license - so Jim declined.
"No - thank you - but I would be grateful if you could look after our cat while we are gone....", Jim asked, giving Hasan some notes.
"Of course, pash... she is very beautiful.
So the taxis parked up, and the 'boys' gathered round Ethan, who was holding Teddy, and Teddy's Walmart bag - presumably stuffed with the inevitable visual aids.
Then Teddy began his 'mini-lecture', while everyone obediently listened.
"So this is the mortuary temple of the Queen Hatshepsut.", Teddy began.
"So it's not the temple for a pharaoh ?", Glen queried.
"No, Glen.", Teddy replied.
"Let me explain a bit about Hatshepsut.....
Teddy cleared his throat as if to start again.
 |
| Cartouche of Hatshepsut |
Her husband Thutmose II was the son of Thutmose I and a secondary wife named Mutnofret, who carried the title King's daughter and was probably a child of Ahmose I. Hatshepsut and Thutmose II had a daughter named Neferure.
After having their daughter, Hatshepsut could not bear any more children.
Thutmose II with Iset, a secondary wife, then had Thutmose III, who would succeed Hatshepsut as pharaoh.
On the death of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut became 'regent' for Thutmose III, and subsequently usurped the position of Pharaoh, often even dressing as a male.
Hatshepsut is presumed to have died in middle age, and was buried in KV20 along with her father, Thutmose I, but was later moved to KV60, where a mummy - believed to be Hatshepsut - has been found." Teddy explained.
"And what's' this KV business ?", Josh asked.
"Oh sorry... I should have said... It stands for 'Kings Valley'.
Hatshepsut is presumed to have died in middle age, and was buried in KV20 along with her father, Thutmose I, but was later moved to KV60, where a mummy - believed to be Hatshepsut - has been found." Teddy explained.
"And what's' this KV business ?", Josh asked.
"Oh sorry... I should have said... It stands for 'Kings Valley'.
 |
| Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - الدير البحري - 'Deir el-Bahari' |
Every tomb in the Kings Valley is given a number for easy identification.
But let me tell you more about this place...", Teddy said, as he led them up the huge monumental ramp leading to the temple platform.
It was a long, hot climb in what was then the heat of the middle of the day.
Eventually, however, they reach the shade of the upper colonnade.
While they were all recovering, Teddy continued his 'mini-lecture'.
"Hatshepsut's vizier, the royal architect Senenmut, oversaw the construction of the temple
Although the adjacent, earlier mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II was used as a model, the two structures are significantly different in many ways.
Hatshepsut's temple consists of three layered terraces reaching 97 ft tall.
Each story consists of a double colonnade of square piers, with the exception of the northwest corner of the central terrace, which employs 'proto-Doric' columns to house the chapel."
"Excuse me, Teddy - but was does 'proto-Doric' mean...?", Ethan asked, in his best 'little school-boy' voice.
"You should know - it's all Greek... Doric is a very simple style of Greek architecture, with very plain columns...
'Proto' - as you well know, is Greek, meaning first or earliest.
"Now give me the cards with the photos please...", Teddy said to Ethan, sounding a little annoyed.
Teddy then showed everyone a computer generated image of what the temple may have looked like originally.
"These terraces are connected by long ramps which were once surrounded by gardens with foreign plants including frankincense and myrrh trees.
The relief sculpture within Hatshepsut’s temple recites the tale of the divine birth of a female pharaoh – the first of its kind.
The text and pictorial cycle also tell of an expedition to the 'Land of Punt', an exotic country on the Red Sea coast.
While the statues and ornamentation have since been stolen or destroyed, the temple once was home to two statues of Osiris, a sphinx avenue, and many sculptures of the Queen.
Many of these portraits were destroyed at the order of her stepson Thutmose III after her death.
Teddy then provided everybody with a beautiful laminated plan of the temple to help them find their way around.
"So why is this temple not as 'crumbly' as most of the ones we've seen..?", Ethan asked Teddy.
"It's because the Polish Academy of Sciences have, for many years been 'conserving' the temple.
At least they call it 'conserving' - but I suppose it's really like 'rebuilding it' - like it's now more like something from a Hollywood movie - and that makes it very popular with tourists.", Teddy replied.
"So why doesn't the Egyptian government do this 'conserving-thingy'..?", Ethan asked.
"Well, to be honest, they're not very good at the 'conserving' business, and also it's a question of money...", Teddy said, and Ethan nodded knowingly - but not really understanding the ramifications of what Teddy had been saying.
Of course Teddy could say things like that - and not get into trouble - because he was just a teddy-bear.
"So let's go somewhere cooler...", Jim suggested, as he, Ethan and Teddy surveyed to huge Temple, while Sekhmet, who had escaped from the taxi and followed them, stretched out on the warm stone paving.
"Well, there's the temple of Seti I, just down the road, near El Taref..", Teddy suggested.
"Is it big..?", Jim asked.
"No... not as most temples go..?", Teddy replied, wondering what Jim had in mind.
"Good... we can look round that, and then go for a meal, and by then it should be getting dark, and hopefully we can then find Khonsu and Bastet...
So we'd better get the others back together.", Jim suggested.
To reach the temple of Seti I they had to drive past the Old Village of Qurnah - where Ethan and Teddy had first met Sheikh Ahmed and Khonsu, and then on to the village of El Taref.
It was not a long journey, and soon the two taxis were parked in front of the Temple.
While they were all recovering, Teddy continued his 'mini-lecture'.
"Hatshepsut's vizier, the royal architect Senenmut, oversaw the construction of the temple
Although the adjacent, earlier mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II was used as a model, the two structures are significantly different in many ways.
Hatshepsut's temple consists of three layered terraces reaching 97 ft tall.
Each story consists of a double colonnade of square piers, with the exception of the northwest corner of the central terrace, which employs 'proto-Doric' columns to house the chapel."
 |
| Reconstruction of the Temples of Mentuhotep and Hatshepsut |
"You should know - it's all Greek... Doric is a very simple style of Greek architecture, with very plain columns...
'Proto' - as you well know, is Greek, meaning first or earliest.
"Now give me the cards with the photos please...", Teddy said to Ethan, sounding a little annoyed.
Teddy then showed everyone a computer generated image of what the temple may have looked like originally.
"These terraces are connected by long ramps which were once surrounded by gardens with foreign plants including frankincense and myrrh trees.
The relief sculpture within Hatshepsut’s temple recites the tale of the divine birth of a female pharaoh – the first of its kind.
The text and pictorial cycle also tell of an expedition to the 'Land of Punt', an exotic country on the Red Sea coast.
While the statues and ornamentation have since been stolen or destroyed, the temple once was home to two statues of Osiris, a sphinx avenue, and many sculptures of the Queen.
Many of these portraits were destroyed at the order of her stepson Thutmose III after her death.
"So why is this temple not as 'crumbly' as most of the ones we've seen..?", Ethan asked Teddy.
"It's because the Polish Academy of Sciences have, for many years been 'conserving' the temple.
At least they call it 'conserving' - but I suppose it's really like 'rebuilding it' - like it's now more like something from a Hollywood movie - and that makes it very popular with tourists.", Teddy replied.
"So why doesn't the Egyptian government do this 'conserving-thingy'..?", Ethan asked.
"Well, to be honest, they're not very good at the 'conserving' business, and also it's a question of money...", Teddy said, and Ethan nodded knowingly - but not really understanding the ramifications of what Teddy had been saying.
Of course Teddy could say things like that - and not get into trouble - because he was just a teddy-bear.
 |
| Aerial View -Temple of Hatshepsut - الدير البحري - 'Deir el-Bahari' |
"Well, there's the temple of Seti I, just down the road, near El Taref..", Teddy suggested.
"Is it big..?", Jim asked.
"No... not as most temples go..?", Teddy replied, wondering what Jim had in mind.
"Good... we can look round that, and then go for a meal, and by then it should be getting dark, and hopefully we can then find Khonsu and Bastet...
So we'd better get the others back together.", Jim suggested.
To reach the temple of Seti I they had to drive past the Old Village of Qurnah - where Ethan and Teddy had first met Sheikh Ahmed and Khonsu, and then on to the village of El Taref.
It was not a long journey, and soon the two taxis were parked in front of the Temple.
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| Mortuary Temple of Seti i - El Taref - West Bank - Luxor - Egypt |
"Now that high point looks very much like a pyramid, and some say that the valley below it - the 'Valley of the Kings', was chosen as it was surmounted by a natural pyramid.
That high point is known as 'Gebel el Gorn' - the 'Mount of the Horn' - from which is derived the name for 'Gorna - or 'Qurnah' - the name of the village below."
And so they approached the portico of the Temple.
"Seti I was the son of Ramses I - and the father of Ramses II - the Great.
Seti's well preserved tomb - known as KV17 - was found in 1817 by Giovanni Battista Belzoni, in the Valley of the Kings; it proved to be the longest at 446 feet and deepest of all the New Kingdom royal tombs.
The temple seems to have been constructed toward the end of the reign of Seti, and may have been completed by his son Ramesses the Great, after Seti's death.
One of the chambers contains a shrine dedicated to Seti's father Ramesses I, who only reigned a little under two years, and did not construct a mortuary temple for himself.
The Temple itself, in modern times, seems to have been somewhat neglected - like many important historical sites in Egypt - and the entire court, and any pylons associated with the site, are now in ruins, and much of the eastern part of the complex is buried under the modern town of Qurna.
And so they approached the portico of the Temple.
"Seti I was the son of Ramses I - and the father of Ramses II - the Great.
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| Mortuary Temple of Seti i - El Taref - West Bank - Luxor - Egypt |
The temple seems to have been constructed toward the end of the reign of Seti, and may have been completed by his son Ramesses the Great, after Seti's death.
One of the chambers contains a shrine dedicated to Seti's father Ramesses I, who only reigned a little under two years, and did not construct a mortuary temple for himself.
The Temple itself, in modern times, seems to have been somewhat neglected - like many important historical sites in Egypt - and the entire court, and any pylons associated with the site, are now in ruins, and much of the eastern part of the complex is buried under the modern town of Qurna.
 |
| Abu Esh Alabaster Factory - Qurna - West Bank - Luxor - Egypt |
Everyone managed to squeeze into the two taxis, and then they drove to the alabaster 'factory' that Hassan had 'chosen' for them.
There were lots of alabaster 'factories' on the West Bank, most of them situated in Qurna, and Hassan passed a number of these 'factories' before he came to the one to which he was intending to 'deliver' Jim and the 'boys'.
As they pulled up at the garishly painted 'factory', Hassan left the car and spoke to one of the staff.
Teddy, with his 'super-hearing' and knowledge of Arabic listened carefully.
"Hassan told the guy from the shop, who's called Ramadan, that he had brought some very rich Americans, and so they could put the prices up...", Teddy told Jim.
"OK then... let the others know.", Jim said.
And so they left the taxis, and went across the area of sandy gravel to the shop entrance.
Immediately they were greeted by a young man, who invited them to watch a demonstration of how alabaster vases were made.
As a good salesman, the young man, who introduced himself in reasonable English, as Mahmoud, son of the owner, gave a careful description of the various stages involved in producing a vase.
As was usual, none of the workers, or the sales people seemed to take any notice of Ethan who was carrying Teddy, but everyone was taken with Sekhmet, who wandered around, inspecting the workers, and finally curled herself up on a cushion that had been left on a white plastic chair.
After watching the demonstration the 'boys' were invited into the 'showroom'.
What they didn't notice, however, was Faunus following in behind them.
Almost immediately Hassan, (not the taxi driver, but the second son of the owner), approached Faunus, and introduced himself.
Much to Hassan's surprise, Faunus replied in fluent Ṣa‘īdi Arabic.
"إذن أنت المرشد السياحي لهؤلاء الأمريكيين - So you are the guide for these Americans ?", Hassan asked (in Arabic), somewhat taken aback.
"But I thought Hassan the taxi driver...?", Hassan said.
"No... Hassan is just the driver.....
" أنا علي - مرشدهم - I am Ali, their guide...", Faunus said firmly.
As they pulled up at the garishly painted 'factory', Hassan left the car and spoke to one of the staff.
Teddy, with his 'super-hearing' and knowledge of Arabic listened carefully.
"Hassan told the guy from the shop, who's called Ramadan, that he had brought some very rich Americans, and so they could put the prices up...", Teddy told Jim.
"OK then... let the others know.", Jim said.
 |
| Crafting Alabaster - Qurna - West Bank - Luxor |
Immediately they were greeted by a young man, who invited them to watch a demonstration of how alabaster vases were made.
As a good salesman, the young man, who introduced himself in reasonable English, as Mahmoud, son of the owner, gave a careful description of the various stages involved in producing a vase.
As was usual, none of the workers, or the sales people seemed to take any notice of Ethan who was carrying Teddy, but everyone was taken with Sekhmet, who wandered around, inspecting the workers, and finally curled herself up on a cushion that had been left on a white plastic chair.
After watching the demonstration the 'boys' were invited into the 'showroom'.
What they didn't notice, however, was Faunus following in behind them.
Almost immediately Hassan, (not the taxi driver, but the second son of the owner), approached Faunus, and introduced himself.
Much to Hassan's surprise, Faunus replied in fluent Ṣa‘īdi Arabic.
"إذن أنت المرشد السياحي لهؤلاء الأمريكيين - So you are the guide for these Americans ?", Hassan asked (in Arabic), somewhat taken aback.
"But I thought Hassan the taxi driver...?", Hassan said.
"No... Hassan is just the driver.....
" أنا علي - مرشدهم - I am Ali, their guide...", Faunus said firmly.
 |
| Sales Area - Alabaster 'Factory' - Qurna - West Bank - Luxor |
Faunus, of course, was more than pleased, as any money that he received from the owners, he could simply give to Jim.
While this was going on, Ramadan, apparently the general 'dogsbody', was offering all the 'boys' what he described as 'Egyptian Tea', presuming that the boys had never drunk 'shai' before.
Faunus then made a big show of explaining to the 'boy's that, as their 'guide' 'Ali', he would explain to them how 'shai' was made, and how delicious it was.
This, of course was the way that alabaster shops 'softened up' their customers, by offering them 'free shai' - which would probably be the most expensive tea that they would ever drink.
"Jeepers !... What a lot of pots !..", Ethan said as he surveyed the rows of crowded shelves.
"Now you and Teddy be careful... this stuff breaks real easy, and we don't want any expensive accidents.", Jim said.
Quite soon word about the rich Americans had been passed on to the owner who was supervising his salesman in the second showroom across the sandy courtyard.
The man who owned the Abu Esh Alabaster business was called 'haj' Abdu (more correctly الحجّي - Hajji).
In the case of 'haj' Abdu - it was not simply an honorific title - indicating age, as Faunus was assured that 'Abdu' (a diminutive of Abdullah - 'Servant of the God' - in Arabic, and also the name of the father of the prophet), had indeed made the Haj some years previously, as he was, by the standards of the West Bank, very wealthy, and could afford such a journey.الحجّي - Hajji is a title which given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is also often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel (particularly before the advent of mass air travel), and in many Muslim societies as an honorific title for a respected man. The title is placed before a person's name. Hajji is derived from the Arabic ḥājj, which is the active participle of the verb ḥajja ('to make the pilgrimage').
Doors of the Kaaba - Mecca
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| Haj Abdu |
And, of course, everyone wanted to speak to him, as there had been rumours in the village that a young sheikh called 'Ali' had been visiting Sheikh Ahmed.
And in addition, of course, the 'smell of money', which the young Americans - (the 'Penthouse Gang') - exuded, and not only with their cologne and fine clothes, was a further inducement to the locals working in the shop to be very friendly.
So it was not surprising that Haj Abdu soon presented himself to 'Ali', and 'Ali' was required to introduce Abdu to Jim.
Abdu, who spoke English and German moderately fluently, (although he had no formal education)' wanted to know what Jim's work was, and Jim perhaps unwisely, admitted that he owned a number of large hotels and entertainment venues in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
While Jim and Abdu talked, Faunus listened, but also delved into haj Abdu's past, and learned that this man was not all he seemed.
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| Zalat Alabaster 'Factory' - Qurnah - West Bank - Luxor |
Together they had found a cave in the Theban Hills - presumably not the 'Cave of the Lion' - and had found some genuine ancient artefacts.
The illegal sale of these artefacts had enabled them to join together to start a legitimate alabaster business.
Later the partnership fell apart with mutual recriminations.
Zalat was still in the alabaster business - but Abdu had taken the 'lion's share' - got in well with the local authorities, police and security and was, in his late middle age, one of the richest men on the West Bank, with four very different sons.
One, the eldest, was fanatically religious, the next, Hasan, obviously wanted to take over the business, the next, Mahmoud wanted to be a tourist guide, and the youngest, Mohammed, was still a teenager.
Faunus was not entirely happy with what he had discovered about this wealthy resident of the West Bank, and considered any involvement with the over-friendly owner, and his older sons might not be to the present advantage of Jim and the boys, and so he decided to cut the visit short.
"Now ! My group...! Time is pressing, and we need to take an evening meal, so if you want anything, make a purchase, and we'll be on our way.", Faunus said, acting out his role as 'tourist guide'.
"Jim... buy that vase... I think it's more than it seems..." Faunus said.
And it was a very fine vase.
The alabaster was almost pure white, with no visible imperfections.
The shape was elegant and unusual - almost 'classical'.
Mahmoud quickly stepped in and showed the vase against a naked hanging light-bulb - which was hung just for the purpose of showing the translucence of the alabaster.
And it was remarkable.
The walls of the body of the vase were unbelievably thin, allowing the light to shine through with great brilliance.
The vase was obviously not the product of the young men who toiled outside the shop - it was undoubtedly the work of a master craftsman.
Haj Abdu looked annoyed, and Faunus, reading the owner's thoughts, understood that the vase had been put on display in error.
And so 'Ali' (Faunus) began a long session of haggling with the haj.
First Abdu said it was not for sale...
Then, when 'Ali' said price was not the problem... Abdu softened.
The wily owner made it clear that the vase was perfectly symmetrical, but it was not machine made, and Ramadan was quickly dispatched to bring a machine made (lathe turned) vase for Jim to examine.
The shape was perfect - but 'lifeless' - and the vase was remarkably heavy, and not translucent.
Jim didn't have time to discuss the merits of hand-made against machine made alabaster.
Faunus had advised him to buy the vase - so he simply followed the way of his mentor, the 'late 'Boss', and made an offer that Abdu couldn't refuse.
Jim, however, had one requirement....
He wanted a properly certified, bill of sale, on the shop's headed paper, dated and signed by Haj Abdu.
Abdu of course agreed... keen to have the money in dollars, despite some warnings from his son Hassan.
Jim didn't understand the warning, but 'Ali' (Faunus), did... and he also knew from where the vase had originated, and what it actually was.
And so, with an invitation to go to dinner, with the haj Abdu's sons, the following evening, Jim, 'Ali' and the boys left the showroom, and headed for the taxis.
"So... Hassan - do you take many of your customers to see haj Abdu ?...", Jim asked.
"Some... who want to buy something to remember their visit to the West Bank, Sir.", Hassan replied hesitantly.
"Well, it was interesting, but they're not really the sort of people I want to deal with.
If you need a little more money, just tell me, and let me choose the shops that we visit.", Jim said, sounding annoyed.
"Yes, pasha... I'm very sorry." Hassan replied.
"So Teddy, what do you make of the vase ?", Jim asked.
"Ah... almost certainly genuine Ptolemaic - and probably one of the finest examples ever...
That's why it looks 'Classical' - like based on a Greek design.", Teddy replied.
"So why did Abdu sell it to me...", Jim then asked Teddy.
"Probably because as it was illegally acquired, and he didn't want to be caught with it.", Teddy replied.
"Exactly...", Jim replied.
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| Ptolemaic Eagle |
"Maybe here, but more likely Alexandria....", Teddy replied.
The Ptolemaic Kingdom (Koinē Greek: Πτολεμαϊκὴ βασιλεία) was a Hellenistic (Greek) kingdom based in ancient Egypt. It was ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty, which started with Ptolemy I Soter's accession after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and which ended with the death of Cleopatra and the Roman conquest in 30 BC. The capital of Ptolemaic Egypt was Alexandria. The last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt was Cleopatra VII."And yes, Ethan... I've got a bone to pick with you !", Jim said, and Ethan looked shocked.
"As we left the shop, Faunus told me that you had mentioned about us looking for a cave in the hills...", Jim said menacingly.
"Well... it just slipped out...
I was talking to Mahmoud, that Abdu guy's third son... and it just slipped out...", Ethan said nervously.
"I didn't mean to... honest.", Ethan continued quietly, unable to look Jim in the face.
"Yes, well it may have been accidental, but I'm sure Mahmoud was pumping you for information.
Just remember... these people can't be trusted." Jim said.
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| Ramesseum - Qurnah - West Bank - Luxor |
"Well anyway, we are now going past the Ramesseum...", Teddy said, trying to change the subject.
 |
| Statue of Ramses II - Ramesseum digital reconstruction |
Now Faunus told me about a rooftop restaurant where they have good food - like the food at that place near the station in Luxor, so we'll have our evening meal there, and then the ones who are not coming with us to join up with Khonsu can take the other taxi to the river, and cross in Mahmoud's boat, and we'll go on the coffee-shop near the mosque at Qurnah.
Then Ethan suddenly remembered.
"Have you got Sekhmet ?"
Jim was surprised that Ethan was unsure about his cat.
"Yes, Ethan, as usual, she's sitting on my lap - although she's supposed to be your cat.", Jim said, trying to calm down Ethan.
"Well yes, but I've also got Teddy to look after.", Ethan said.
"Now don't bring me into your arguments... I'm quite capable of sitting on my own on the parcel shelf.", Teddy said, sounding a bit put out.
"So if we're not going to the Ramesseum, and it's too early to find Khonsu, then where are we going ?", Ethan asked.
"To a place owned by a guy called Morssey for a meal.", Jim said, as they pulled up in front of a very odd looking building, which seemed to be an strange combination of a alabaster 'factory' and a coffee shop.
"Oh no ! Not another alabaster shop...!", Ethan said, as they stepped out of the taxi.
For Hassan this was a good stop, however, as he could wait for Jim and the others in the coffee shop on the ground floor.
Upstairs, however, on the third floor was a rooftop restaurant with the most stupendous views over the West bank.
This eating establishment was a recommendation from Faunus, who had been doing a lot of snooping around on the West Bank when he had not been with Jim and the 'boys'.
"Now this I like...",Ethan said.
It reminds me of the rooftop restaurant that the 'Boss' took us to shortly after you arrived, Jim.", Ethan then said wistfully.
"So if we're not going to the Ramesseum, and it's too early to find Khonsu, then where are we going ?", Ethan asked.
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| 'Morssey' - Qurnah - West Bank - Luxor |
"Oh no ! Not another alabaster shop...!", Ethan said, as they stepped out of the taxi.
For Hassan this was a good stop, however, as he could wait for Jim and the others in the coffee shop on the ground floor.
Upstairs, however, on the third floor was a rooftop restaurant with the most stupendous views over the West bank.
This eating establishment was a recommendation from Faunus, who had been doing a lot of snooping around on the West Bank when he had not been with Jim and the 'boys'.
 |
| Rooftop Restaurant - Las Vegas - Nevada - USA |
It reminds me of the rooftop restaurant that the 'Boss' took us to shortly after you arrived, Jim.", Ethan then said wistfully.
"Than you Sir...", an Egyptian voice interrupted.
"I am Morssey... can I get you some drinks", the tall, handsome young man dressed in western style rather than a galabia, inquired.
"Oh... yes... Pepsi Max for me and my friends.", Jim said.
Morssey looked surprised,
Undoubtedly almost all the foreign tourists who came to the restaurant took advantage of the inexpensive alcoholic drinks served in Egypt.
The drinks came quickly, and then the 'usual conversation'.
When 'tourists' interact with Egyptians, there are always a number of questions Egyptians ask, including, where are you from ? - where are you staying ? - is this your first time in Egypt ? - where are you going ? - have you seen and such and such ?
These questions are not matters of concern, or idle interest, but are in reality the means by which the interlocutor can assess the tourist... so, if the tourist is staying at a very cheap hotel, then very little further interest will be shown.
Of course, if the tourist replies, the 'Old Winter Palace' then they will apparently have found a friend for life... and so it goes on.
The most dangerous reply to give, of course, is 'this is my first visit to Egypt', for obvious reasons.
But as it happened, Faunus, now dressed it dark slacks, with a black leather belt and gold buckle, and a dazzlingly white, superbly cut shirt, complete with gold cufflinks, as usual suddenly appeared from nowhere.
"Hello...(actually السلام عليكم - Salam alaikum - which is not really 'hello'), I'm Ali... I'm the guide for this group...", Faunus said in Arabic to Morssey.
Now Faunus knew that Morssey was a 'nice guy', so he didn't intervene too obviously, but managed to steer the conversation onto a 'safe' path - and kept a watchful eye on Ethan.
The 'boys' of course, enjoyed their time at the Restaurant.
Dining on the roof, three floors up, they had the advantage of a cool breeze, and in addition they had a magnificent view of the Nile, and the night sky.
Unlike Vegas, Los Angeles, the desert states of the US, or even Cairo, the sky over Upper Egypt, and particularly the West Bank was remarkably dark, and the stars shone unusually brightly - and the food was very good.
"Well... this has been a very weird trip...", Max began.
"Not at the beginning, mind you, in Cairo looking at the mosques and things - but then it was a bit weird when that guy Ismail turned up... when we visited Saqqara and the Pyramids - but now, in Luxor, things have gotten very odd.", Max said.
"In what way ?", Jim asked.
"Well I noticed - and so did Glen, that there's been quite a number of 'private' conversations, which has made me sometimes feel a bit left out.
I mean, I know that I'm only here to do the packing and carry the luggage - but it does make me wonder what's going on...", Max said diffidently.
"Well I'm sorry that you feel like that Max... but you must understand that some of us had... let's say... a complicated life before we met you... and also there are some things going on that it might be better for you not to know about - after all, why do so many of us carry guns ?... things can get dangerous...
"Well that's it... I mean I'm not criticizing, but all this business about staying on the West Bank late at night - and speaking Arabic like an Egyptian, and appearing and disappearing.", Max continued.
"It can't be helped, Max, and tonight we must stay late on the West Bank, and also I've decided to take Zac and Josh with me, and just to make it clear that things are getting serious, they will be coming because I need two more people with me who can use firearms, just in case...
You see, Max, you must understand that this is a dangerous place... it's why there are so many armed police and security around the place, as you have noticed.
So I know that you want to come with us, but you and Glen are not yet ready for this kind of thing, so just be patient.", Jim explained, and Max and Glen gave every indication that they were content with what Jim had said.
"So, will you and Glen be OK going back to the East Bank with the other taxi ?", Jim asked.
"And while you're on your way, I'll 'phone Mahmoud to take you across to the Hotel, and then you can do whatever you want in Luxor... OK ?", Jim said.
"Yes... OK... Thanks Jim, and take care...", Glen said, as they both took off down the stairs.
"You know, Jim, sooner or later you'll have to either tell Max more about what's going on, or let him go...", Faunus said.
"Yes, I know Faunus... but first let's get sorted out about tonight...
So... Zac and Josh... you're both OK about coming with us ? - but remember, you can't come into the cave with us...", Jim said.
Zac and Josh nodded.
So then Jim paid the tab, said good night to Morssey, and they made their way to pick up Hassan, for the drive to Qurnah and the coffee shop opposite the mosque.
"I am Morssey... can I get you some drinks", the tall, handsome young man dressed in western style rather than a galabia, inquired.
"Oh... yes... Pepsi Max for me and my friends.", Jim said.
Morssey looked surprised,
Undoubtedly almost all the foreign tourists who came to the restaurant took advantage of the inexpensive alcoholic drinks served in Egypt.
The drinks came quickly, and then the 'usual conversation'.
When 'tourists' interact with Egyptians, there are always a number of questions Egyptians ask, including, where are you from ? - where are you staying ? - is this your first time in Egypt ? - where are you going ? - have you seen and such and such ?
These questions are not matters of concern, or idle interest, but are in reality the means by which the interlocutor can assess the tourist... so, if the tourist is staying at a very cheap hotel, then very little further interest will be shown.
Of course, if the tourist replies, the 'Old Winter Palace' then they will apparently have found a friend for life... and so it goes on.
The most dangerous reply to give, of course, is 'this is my first visit to Egypt', for obvious reasons.
But as it happened, Faunus, now dressed it dark slacks, with a black leather belt and gold buckle, and a dazzlingly white, superbly cut shirt, complete with gold cufflinks, as usual suddenly appeared from nowhere.
"Hello...(actually السلام عليكم - Salam alaikum - which is not really 'hello'), I'm Ali... I'm the guide for this group...", Faunus said in Arabic to Morssey.
Now Faunus knew that Morssey was a 'nice guy', so he didn't intervene too obviously, but managed to steer the conversation onto a 'safe' path - and kept a watchful eye on Ethan.
The 'boys' of course, enjoyed their time at the Restaurant.
Dining on the roof, three floors up, they had the advantage of a cool breeze, and in addition they had a magnificent view of the Nile, and the night sky.
Unlike Vegas, Los Angeles, the desert states of the US, or even Cairo, the sky over Upper Egypt, and particularly the West Bank was remarkably dark, and the stars shone unusually brightly - and the food was very good.
"Well... this has been a very weird trip...", Max began.
"Not at the beginning, mind you, in Cairo looking at the mosques and things - but then it was a bit weird when that guy Ismail turned up... when we visited Saqqara and the Pyramids - but now, in Luxor, things have gotten very odd.", Max said.
"In what way ?", Jim asked.
"Well I noticed - and so did Glen, that there's been quite a number of 'private' conversations, which has made me sometimes feel a bit left out.
I mean, I know that I'm only here to do the packing and carry the luggage - but it does make me wonder what's going on...", Max said diffidently.
"Well I'm sorry that you feel like that Max... but you must understand that some of us had... let's say... a complicated life before we met you... and also there are some things going on that it might be better for you not to know about - after all, why do so many of us carry guns ?... things can get dangerous...
"Well that's it... I mean I'm not criticizing, but all this business about staying on the West Bank late at night - and speaking Arabic like an Egyptian, and appearing and disappearing.", Max continued.
"It can't be helped, Max, and tonight we must stay late on the West Bank, and also I've decided to take Zac and Josh with me, and just to make it clear that things are getting serious, they will be coming because I need two more people with me who can use firearms, just in case...
You see, Max, you must understand that this is a dangerous place... it's why there are so many armed police and security around the place, as you have noticed.
So I know that you want to come with us, but you and Glen are not yet ready for this kind of thing, so just be patient.", Jim explained, and Max and Glen gave every indication that they were content with what Jim had said.
"So, will you and Glen be OK going back to the East Bank with the other taxi ?", Jim asked.
"And while you're on your way, I'll 'phone Mahmoud to take you across to the Hotel, and then you can do whatever you want in Luxor... OK ?", Jim said.
"Yes... OK... Thanks Jim, and take care...", Glen said, as they both took off down the stairs.
"You know, Jim, sooner or later you'll have to either tell Max more about what's going on, or let him go...", Faunus said.
"Yes, I know Faunus... but first let's get sorted out about tonight...
So... Zac and Josh... you're both OK about coming with us ? - but remember, you can't come into the cave with us...", Jim said.
Zac and Josh nodded.
So then Jim paid the tab, said good night to Morssey, and they made their way to pick up Hassan, for the drive to Qurnah and the coffee shop opposite the mosque.
 |
| The Village of Qurnah |
Jim, Faunus, Ethan and Teddy, and Zac and Josh make their way back to Qurnah in Hassan's taxi in order to meet with Khonsu. With the help of Sekhmet, Ethan finds Khonsu in the Mosque, and then Faunus tells Khonsu that the secret of their search for the cave may be known to others. Khons then reveals the alarming fact that anyone other than those who Khonsu has named who attempt to enter the cave will die in the attempt. Forewarned, and guided by the reunited cats, Sekhmet and Bastet, the 'boys', Teddy and Faunus then make their way through to Theban Hills to the Lion Cave........
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202