'After visiting Edfu, the 'Hadeel' sailed even further south, to the temple of Sobek, the crocodile 'god', at Kom Ombo, while Jim and the 'boys' made preparation for their meeting with Mr. Stark at the Old Cataract Hotel at Aswan. '
Some of his common epithets betray this nature succinctly, the most notable of which being: 'he who steals', 'he who eats while he also mates', and 'pointed of teeth', however, he also displays remarkable benevolence in more than one celebrated myth when, after his association with Horus, and consequent adoption into the 'Osirian Triad' of Osiris, Isis, and Horus, Sobek became associated with Isis as a healer of the deceased Osiris - and it is from this association with healing that Sobek was considered a protective deity. His fierceness was able to ward off evil, while simultaneously defending the innocent. He was thus made a subject of personal piety, and a common recipient of votive offerings, particularly in the later periods of ancient Egyptian history. It was not uncommon, particularly in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt, for crocodiles to be preserved as mummies at Sobek's cultic centres.
Sobek was also offered mummified crocodile eggs, meant to emphasize the cyclical nature of his solar attributes as 'Sobek-Ra'. Likewise, crocodiles were raised on religious grounds as living incarnations of Sobek. Upon their deaths, they were mummified in a grand ritual display as sacred, but earthly, manifestations of their patron god. These mummified crocodiles have been found with baby crocodiles in their mouths, and on their backs. The crocodile – one of the few reptiles that diligently care for their young – often transports its offspring in this manner. The practice of preserving this aspect of the animal's behaviour, via mummification, is likely intended to emphasize the protective and nurturing aspects of fierce Sobek, as he protects the Egyptian people in the same manner that the crocodile protects its young. Sobek was also believed to be the father of Khonsu, the 'god' of the Moon and Time.
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| Temple Pool - Kom Ombo - Upper Egypt - Reconstruction |
But, for the moment, enough about the avatars of the 'neter' Sobek, who at one time lounged in jewelled splendour in their marble pools at the temple at Kom Ombo - as we return to our group intrepid supposed 'tourists', as they return to the air-conditioned luxury of their fleet of Mercedes Maybach Pullman limos.
Once back on board the 'Hadeel', everybody showered - changed, and made their way to the sun-deck, where 'shai' and, what Ethan referred to as 'nibbles', were served.
And then it was time to relax - to drift off - and recall their wanderings through the dusty courts, halls and chambers of the temple dedicated to the hawk god Horus.
Later it was time or lunch - 'al fresco' - ('in the open air' - as Teddy explained to Ethan).
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| 'Hadeel' -Lower Deck Lounge - Nile Cruise |
It was at that point that Faunus put in an appearance for the private meeting.
Clare had very much expected that would happen, and returned to the 'sun-deck' with 'Sigi', Glen and Brody.
"So... what's this all about ? ", Ethan innocently asked, as they took their seats in the 'Handel's' comfortable lounge.
"I thought you knew, Ethan - we need to sort things out for when we meet Mr. Stark.", Josh replied.
"Oh yes - of course...", Ethan quickly replied, pretending - not very convincingly - that he had been following what had been going on for that last day or so.
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| Howard Stark |
"The Mr. Stark who will be meeting us at the Old Cataract Hotel is not the Mr Stark that the 'Boss' met when he first 'arrived' in the US.
That Mr. Stark was Howard Stark... Tony's father - and Howard Stark has since died.", Jim explained.
"So how did the 'Boss' get to know this Howard Stark ?", Zac asked.
"Well that was me.", Faunus interjected.
"Stark, at the time, was conducting technical weapons research for the US government - very expensive research - and he was looking for people to provide him with financial assistance.", Faunus continued.
"So how did you actually meet up with Howard Stark ?", Josh asked.
"Well, that would be telling...", Faunus replied, "but I made it clear that if he would help the 'Boss', then I could arrange a financial deal that would enable him to meet his obligations to the US Government.
"And how did he help the 'Boss' ?", Zac pertinently asked Faunus.
"Well, to begin with it was the little matter of Room 33.", Faunus replied, smiling.
"But I thought that was your doing... ", Ethan said, sounding puzzled.
"Well I had the 'theory', so to speak, but Stark, being that rare thing among humans - a real 'genius' - was able to create the technology.".
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| The Door to the Original Room 33 - Club Jaguar - Las Vegas - Nevada |
"And then, of course, Stark went along to 'invent' - with my help - little 'gizmos' which enabled the 'Boss' to detect resources - such as gold and silver in Mexico, Palladium in Montana - and, of course further deposits of oil in the US.", Faunus explained.
"OK - so Howard Stark is no longer with us - so what about Tony Stark ?", Zac asked.
"Well, Tony, being an only son and heir - he inherited Howard's by then immense fortune and assets, including a vast number of patents.
Interestingly, he also seemed to have inherited his father's 'genius' - which is unusual.
So often history shows us that the son's of 'great' men are often so much less than their fathers - but not in this case.", Jim explained.
"So how come we have never met him ?", Ethan asked.
"Well I met him, just before his father died, and of course Faunus knew him.", Jim replied.
"Yes - and without Tony, we wouldn't have Teddy.", Faunus added.
"Yes, I was wondering when somebody would get round to that - as I am, probably, one of Tony Stark's greatest creations.", Teddy said - and their followed an awkward silence, as no one wanted to upset Teddy by commenting on his last remark.
Jim continued....
"The problem about you guys meeting the Starks - either in the past, or now - is, or was, that both father before, and son now, are far from being 'stupid', and it may take some careful 'setting the scene' in order to explain to Tony just who you are, and where you come from..."
Josh nodded in agreement.
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| Sarcophagus |
"Well, I think that we need to try to get hold of that sarcophagus - rather than let anybody else have it - but we can't just 'cart it away'.
We don't know what might happen if we try to do that.
So I thought perhaps Tony might be able to help us with it - as far as the possible dangerous technology goes...", Jim explained.
"Yes... good thinking Jim...
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| The Armant Pyramid - Nile Valley - West Bank - Egypt |
"Well that will be for Tony to tell us - but first we need to find that pyramid again - and check if the sarcophagus is still there.", Jim said.
"Oh, you mean that pyramid that wasn't really there, and then took off in a storm - like at Chaco Canyon...", Ethan said, somewhat sarcastically.
"Well I think we all need to be very careful...", Teddy commented - very seriously.
"And how do we deal with meeting Mr Stark, and explaining who we all are ?", Josh asked, coming back to the other main problem.
"Well, Tony knew that the 'Boss' found me homeless and ill in Las Vegas - and later adopted me - and he had no problem with that - and he also knew that I had a companion - Ethan.
Later, at my request, he designed Teddy for Glen - that was when Glen was a lot younger.
And Glen is my nephew.
'Sigi' is the son of a German friend - who died, with his wife, in a plane crash - so I undertook to put him through school and college and later provide him with employment." Jim explained.
"And Zac - and Brody ?", Ethan added.
"Oh - just important executives...",Jim replied.
"OK...", Josh said, smiling at the though of Brody being an 'important executive'.
"Okey dokey - so now all we have to do is remember all that.", Ethan said.
"Yes... and I think that is enough for one night.
So tomorrow we arrive at Kom Ombo.", Jim said, bringing the meeting to an end.
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| Kom Ombo - David Roberts Edited - Vittorio Carvelli |
"Well, it's a nice day for it...", Ethan remarked distractedly.
"For what ?", Teddy asked.
"Well... looking for 'croc-thingys'.", Ethan replied.
"You do know there aren't any crocodiles at Kom Ombo ? - and in fact there aren't any 'crocs' in the Nile in Egypt, as far as anyone has reported recently.", Teddy said.
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| Corniche at Kom Ombo |
Ethan, of course, was referring to the crocodile mummies on display in the 'Crocodile Museum' at Kom Ombo, which they had seen on their previous visit to the Temple of Sobek.
But, of course, there are big, ferocious crocodiles in the Nile in Egypt, just as there are big, ferocious Jaguars in the jungles of Mexico - as the 'Boss' discovered to his cost - so for once, Teddy had not got his facts quite right - and Ethan, sensibly, didn't believe him - but Ethan didn't make an issue of it, as it was too nice a morning for an argument.
At that point Jim came over to the table where Ethan and Teddy, along with Josh and Zac were sitting.
"Now remember, guys - today we are just 'American tourists', with more money than sense, enjoying our trip to the Temple at Kom Ombo - and not a word about our discussion last night - to anyone.", Jim said firmly.
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| 'Crocodylus Niloticus' - the Nile Crocodile |
"No 'probs' Jim... ", Etan replied, trying to lighten the mood.
"So, get yourselves ready, and let's go...", Jim added, wanting to get the morning underway.
And so everyone got themselves ready, and after a while, they made their way down the gangplank, and waited for the limos to arrive.
As the other tourists were politely escorted from the temple and museum, and 'closed' signs were displayed at the various entrances, Faunus stood before his 'tourist group'.
"How does he do that ?", Brody asked, with an obvious touch of envy in his voice.
"Well, it's not what he says, but how he says it...", Ethan suggested.
"Good morning, my friends.
I am 'Ali', your Egyptian guide for this, your visit to the dual 'Temple Horus and Sobek' - and, of course, the 'Crocodile Museum'.", 'Ali' (Faunus) began very formally.
"Now 'history is written on the sands of Egypt' - and here, at this temple, there is much history.", 'Ali' continued.
"I say 'temples' because Kom Ombo is one of the most unusual temples in Egypt.
In this temple there are two entrances, two courts, two colonnades, two Hypostyle halls and two sanctuaries, one on each side for each god.
It is assumed that there were also two priesthoods.
The left (western) side of the temple was dedicated to the god Haroeris, and the right (eastern) half to Sobek.
"Yes... and who is this 'Haroeris' ?", Ethan asked, obviously confused - after all it was still early.
"Well... it's from the Greek name for the Egyptian god 'Her-wer', which means 'Great Horus' or 'Horus the Elder'.
Originally there were several gods called Horus (which means 'the far-away one') in Egyptian mythology.
'Haroeris' is the sky god, whose eyes are the sun and the moon. ", 'Ali' replied.
"So, it's the same 'god' as at Edfu ?", 'Sigi asked.
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| Temple at Kom Ombo - the Impressive Entrance |
'Ali' then checked that everyone had a plan.
"So... Let's go inside...", Ethan suggested - getting tired of just looking at the admittedly impressive entrance.
So, they all moved into the shade of the temple interior and, as the temple was by then deserted, 'Ali' handed over the 'lecture' about the temple to Teddy, who was obviously unhappy about not being the centre of attention - just for once.
"Thank you...", Teddy said to 'Ali' (Faunus), rather pointedly.
Teddy then put on his horn-rimmed glasses - in order to look 'super-intellectual' - and began.
"The main temple was built by Ptolemy VI 'Philometor', and most of its decoration was completed by Cleopatra VII’s father, Ptolemy XII 'Neos Dionysos' - the 'New Bacchus', for you Greek and Latin speakers.
The temple’s spectacular riverside setting has resulted in the erosion of some of its partly Roman forecourt and outer sections, but much of the complex has survived, and is very similar in layout to the Ptolemaic temples of Edfu - which we have recently seen - and Dendara - which some of us saw on our last visit to Egypt.
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| Horus |
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| Sobek |
Kom Ombo was dedicated mainly to Sobek and Horus; however, other 'neteru' were also included in the temple’s dedication.
The southern portion of the temple was not just dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, but also to 'Hathor', the goddess of love, and 'Khonsu', the god of the moon.
In this portion of the temple there are many crocodile representations to pay homage to Sobek, and that part of the temple is also referred to as 'House of the Crocodile'.
"Well this is very strange - and all new to me... ", Novius said quietly to Jim.
It was the first time during the trip that Novius had made any comment - partly because he had found all the steps that led from the corniche up to the temple rather tiring.
"Faunus - or should I say 'Ali' - was right when he said that the Kom Ombo temple Kom Ombo is one of the most unusual temples in Egypt.", Novius continued.
"So why the connection of Sobek with Horus - and both together in the same temple ?", Clare asked Jim.
"Well if you really want the answer, ask Teddy or Faunus - but I doubt if you'll get a straight answer - this ancient Egyptian religion is very strange... ", Jim replied, looking perplexed.
"Alright... but what is the crocodile museum that the 'boys' seem to be so enthusiastic about.", Clare then asked.
"It seems to be quite a new thing... at least the museum building seems to be quite new.
Perhaps it's to encourage more tourists to visit - or maybe the archaeologists have discovered a lot more crocodile mummies.", Jim replied.
"So is that what it is, just a lot of dusty old mummified crocodiles.". Clare said, sounding a little disappointed.
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| Crocodile Museum - Entrance |
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| Carved Relief - Sobek - Crocodile Museum |
"Well no... there are some sculptures and carved reliefs, and an attempt to explain the cult of the 'god' Sobek.", Jim added.
And so they showed their 'tickets', and entered the dimly lit 'Crocodile Museum', as they struggled to adapt from the brilliant sunlight outside, to the artificial gloom of the museum - although it did have the advantage of being air-conditioned.
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| Unwrapped Crocodile Mummies - Kom Ombo |
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| Steps at the Kom Ombo Temple - Upper Egypt |
"Well I do hope so - But they do look very real...", Clare said.
"That's because they are real - but as Teddy says - also very dead...", Ethan said, trying to be reassuring.
Having spent some time trying to decide which 'croc' had the biggest teeth, the 'boy's finally tired of the museum - but it had given everyone a chance to 'cool down' a little, as it was a very hot day, and Novius, who in particular had found the seemingly endless steps leading to the site somewhat of a trial, welcomed opportunity to have a pleasant 'sit-down', and a chat with Ashraf.
"So is there anything else to see ?", Clare asked.
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| The Mammisi at Kom Ombo |
"Okey dokey - well let's go and have a 'look see'...", Ethan said.
So they left the air-conditioned comfort of the 'Crocodile Museum', and took a short walk to a paved terrace where the Mammisi, or Birth House stood.
"Well - you're were not far wrong...", Ethan said to Teddy.
"There's not much left of it...".
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| Ptolemaic Carved Relief - Kom Ombo |
As 'Ali' and Teddy had both finished their guided tours, everyone just spent some time wandering around the Temple.
"So tell me, Teddy, why are the sculptures so complicated on these walls compared to on some of the other temples ?", 'Sigi' asked.
"Clever of you to notice...", and Teddy stopped to 'think' for a moment
"Well I could give you the simple answer - or the real answer.", Teddy continued.
"The 'real' answer...", 'Sigi replied.
"Ok -
These sculptures were made during what is now known in Egypt - and most of the Mediterranean world - as the 'Hellenistic' period.
That period of time covers Mediterranean history from the death of the Macedonian king Alexander the Great, in 323 BC, up until the emergence of the Roman Empire.
The Ancient Greek word 'Ἑλλάς,' was originally the widely recognized name of Greece, from which the word 'Hellenistic' was derived.
'Hellenistic' is distinguished from 'Hellenic' in that the first encompasses all territories under direct ancient Greek influence - including Egypt - while the latter refers to only Greece itself.
Generally speaking, 'Hellenistic' art - including 'Hellenistic' art in the Egyptian style - was far more elaborative and decorative as the art of previous eras - which is why these carving look so different.",
Teddy explained.
Clare nodded in appreciation - although admittedly not much wiser, and then approached Jim...
"Well there doesn't seem to be much more to see her... so where are we going next ?", Clare asked.
"But you found this place interesting... ?", Jim asked, worried that maybe Clare was getting bored with all the ruined Egyptian temples.
"Oh yes - this one in particular...", Clare replied, trying to be reassuring.
"Good - well the best one comes last...", Jim said.
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| Temple at Philae - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
"The best one is the Temple of Isis at Φιλή - Philae in English...
which is close to our destination - for this part of the trip - which is Aswan - where we will be staying at the 'Old Cataract Hotel'.", Jim explained.
"Well... we'll see when we get there...", Clare said - teasing.
But of course, Clare would obviously be impressed - 'enchanted' even - as the Temple of Isis is probably the most beautiful temple in all Egypt - and a place for 'dreams' and 'visions'.
"But before we visit Isis, at Philae, we must first moor the 'Hadeel', and settle into the 'Cataract Hotel' - Jim warned.
"You speak about 'Isis' as if you knew her...", Clare remarked.
"Well - only slightly - or rather she might know me...", Jim said.
"I see -", Clare said, feeling that Jim was teasing her in return - which, of course, he wasn't.
At that point Brody wandered over to where Clare and Jim were talking...
"So where are we going to now... 'Boss' ?", Brody asked.
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| Cataract Hotel - Indoor Pool |
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| Cataract Hotel - Outdoor Pool |
Jim cringed inwardly at Brody's use of the term 'Boss' - but he understood that for Brody it had very little significance.
"The Cataract Hotel - You'll probably think it a bit 'old-fashioned' - but it's actually one of the finest, and the most expensive in Egypt - and 'world famous'. - and as I told you before, there's excellent indoor and outdoor swimming pool - and also a very good gym. ", Jim explained.
And so the group gathered at the entrance to the Kom Ombo temple complex, and waited for the limos to collect them.
Then it was simply a matter of returning to the 'Hadeel'.
Kom Ombo is about thirty miles from Aswan - but as the river Nile runs south, navigation becomes more difficult as the Nile noticeably narrows.
This meant that the journey had to be taken in two stages, with a stop over - for reasons of safety - overnight.
On arrival at the 'Hadeel', lunch was served as they pulled away from their moorings.
"Well, it's from the same time as the Winter Palace - around 1900 - and was built for the same purpose - for the use of very wealthy European travellers - they were not called 'tourists' in those days.
The climate of Aswan was seen as ideal for those 'of delicate health' who were rich enough to spend the winter in Aswan - and so, all through the period when the British ruled Egypt, the 'Old Cataract Hotel' was patronised by the famous and the wealthy - mainly from England, but also from Europe and the 'States.", Jim explained.
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| Tony Stark |
"When we arrive at the 'Old Cataract Hotel' tomorrow morning, we'll be meeting a business associate of ours - a gentleman called Tony Stark.
He's a very wealth American industrialist - who has done some work for me in the past - and his father was a close friend of the 'Boss'.", Jim said.
"Well, it's obviously 'business' - so we can leave it at that.", Clare said, remembering how she had been previously 'warned off' asking too many questions.
"Well yes - I'm glad you understand - but just let me give you a gentle warning.
Tony is really charming, and quite 'one for the ladies' - so don't let him 'sweep you off your feet'.", Jim added.
"OK - so thanks for telling me - but, as I said - 'it's obviously business."
"Well that's good - I'm glad you understand."
Ethan looked nervous - mainly because he didn't understand what the 'tension' was all really about.
Unseen by Jim, Clare, Ethan and Teddy - Josh had left the 'Hadeel', and was being taken by limo down to Aswan, by the East Bank Road.
His task was to apprise Stark of the situation with regard to the nature of the group that Jim would be bringing with him - and give some further indication as to the task with which Jim needed help - so that once the 'Hadeel' arrived at the Old Cataract Hotel, everything would proceed smoothly.
Meanwhile, Jim had arranged for a meeting with Ethan, Novius, Zac, 'Sigi', Ashraf and Glen in order to lay things out with regard to precisely who Mr Stark was, and what he might be able to accomplish for them.
Brody, on the other hand, who was to a great extent marginal to such matters, would meanwhile escort Clare during the part of the evening when the 'boys' would be conferring.
There are many Universes - some more different than others. Perhaps in your universe there's a comic book character, or movie character, called Tony Stark - but this Tony Stark is a little different - so if you're expecting 'superheroes' well ...
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202