Jim, with Tony's help, successfully 'acquires' the 'Armant Sarcophagus', and then takes Clare and other members of the group to visit the various sights around Aswan - including the temples, and other monuments, and also 'Kitchener's Island'.
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| Aswan - Nile Panorama |
Aswan is a much smaller city, both in area and population, as compared to the busy cities of Alexandria, Cairo or Luxor.
A friendly town situated on the River Nile, this the site of Egypt's ancient corridor to Africa.
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| Isis |
For the tourist, however, there are many spectacular ancient temples in and around Aswan, which can be easily explored by setting up base in Aswan. - as Jim and his friends have done at the renowned 'Old Cataract Hotel'.
The most famous temple near Aswan is that of the 'goddess' Isis, currently located on the Agilkia Island.
This is a temple devoted to the ancient Egyptian Greco-Roman Goddess Isis.
No one, so far, however, has mentioned to Clare about the strange events that apparently occurred the first time that they visited the Temple, on their previous visit to Egypt - but then there was unlikely to be a repeat performance - although as Novius was to be with them on this occasion, there was always a possibility that something - maybe out of the ordinary - might happen.
Also, Osiris and Horus were also worshipped nearby
The temple of Isis, had been built in the Ptolemaic period (332 to 30 BC), and because it was situated in the far South, it had been largely ignored through the ages, and was very well preserved.
Philae is a rocky island in the middle of the Nile, and this temple is the main attraction of the island.
The other sites that Jim was intending to show to Clare include the 'Kiosk of Trajan', 'The Chapel of Osiris', the 'Temple of Horus' and the 'Temple of Hathor'.
The 'Gateway of Tiberius and Diocletian', along with the 'Temple of Augustus' should also make for a fascinating trip - and for a little relaxation there was the lush beauty of the tropical gardens of 'Kitchener's Island'.
"So, Jim... did you find this artefact that you mentioned to me ?", Clare asked, as they began their 'al fresco' breakfast in the lush gardens of the 'Cataract Hotel'.
"Yes, Clare ... thanks for asking..", Jim replied.
"And there were no problems ?", Clare added.
"None - and Tony was a great help.
All his weird gizmos worked perfectly.", Jim explained.
"So where is it now ", Clare asked, taking advantage of the fact that Jim seemed unusually amenable to giving out information.
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| 'Park Theatre' - Orchestral Rehearsal - 'Vegas - Nevada |
"Oh, Tony took it back to the Winter Palace, in Luxor... last night.", Jim replied.
"So, one more question - Ethan and Teddy seem to have missed breakfast... where are they ?", Clare asked.
"Well that's the odd thing...
Ethan seems to be all 'steamed up' about going back to 'Vegas, and giving another concert at the 'Park Theatre'.", Jim replied, sounding puzzled.
"Anyway he's having his breakfast in the suite... and he's working on a new piece of music - and Teddy's helping him.", Jim added.
Clare fiddled with her coffee cup - weighing up what to say...
"I think maybe Ethan is getting homesick for Las Vegas - after all, he lived in the Penthouse for quite a long time on his own before you arrived.", Clare said thoughtfully.
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| Ethan's Penthouse Building |
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| Sekhmet and Bastet in the Garden |
"And it is now Ethan's own Penthouse, as the 'Boss', after he sadly left us, bequeathed the Penthouse Building - among other things - to Ethan in the Will - and I think because Ethan is so fond of the kittens - well, he would like to live at the 'Winter Palace', but just some of the time - because of the beautiful gardens - for the kittens, that is - and perhaps some of the time in a nice little villa, with a big garden - a villa that you, Jim, did promise to build - somewhere between 'Vegas and Los Angeles."
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| Ethan Composing |
"But that's just a suggestion...", Clare concluded, trying not to sound too critical.
"And this music that Ethan and Teddy are working on...what's it about ?", Clare asked, diplomatically changing the subject.
"Well Ethan hasn't said much - but I think it has, in some way, been inspired by his time here in Egypt - but I think it's best to let him get on with it, and not ask too many questions.", Jim said.
"So - I suppose we must just wait - but I shall look forward to hearing what he's done, when we get back.", Clare said - and Jim noticed the slight tone in Clare's voice that indicated that maybe she, like perhaps Ethan, was feeling that it might be good to get back to 'Vegas for a while.
At that point Josh interupted their talk over breakfast with some newly printed-off papers that had arrived by email from 'Vegas.
"Excuse me, just one moment..." Jim said apologetically to Clare, as he got up from his seat to read the correspondence, and speak privately to Josh.
Americans were traditionally averse to travelling to Europe - but Mexico was close enough to home, but at the same time both inexpensive, and in some ways 'exotic' - but if Jim was to develop hotels and casinos in Mexico, he would need a reliable method of transporting Americans to this newly proposed resort area - and the only acceptable means of transportation would be high quality jet airliners.
Now apart from his 'composing' Ethan, had also been helping Josh by arranging with his 'nice advertising-thingy-guys', based in 'Vegas, to have designs prepared for a new logo for 'AirWest', and also the first of a series of posters that would be used in various venues in major US cities, and also in the media, for flights to 'Vegas and Mexico .
"I won't go over all the explanations about the Ptolemaic and Roman backgrounds of these buildings, as this has already been covered to some extent earlier on this trip... but just remember that these are not real Egyptian buildings, but rather 'Classical' or 'Hellenistic' buildings - pretending to be Egyptian.
"Of course...", Clare added, with a gentle smile.
"OK, 'Mr Clever' - what does 'derivation', and 'fuax-thingy' actually mean ?".
"... 'tell you later...", Teddy replied, as he stomped off to sit on one of the steps between the columns.
"OK, so can you see one...?", Tony asked, finding Ashraf's way of approaching the question rather convoluted.
Startled, Ashraf nervously stepped back - away from the sarcophagus - unsure as to what might happen next.
Of course, after the conquests of Alexander the Great, and the establishment of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the status of Isis changed almost completely.
It is situated on 'Agilkia Island', just south of the 'Old Aswan Dam'.
Jim, or Marcus as he was known in that long ago, distant time (this link features ADULT material - 18+) had never visited the Temple of Isis in Baiae - but he and Petronius (Zac) had so often passed it in the mornings on their way to the thermopolium, prior spending their day at the 'Arena Gracchi', where together they had organised the many 'spectacula' - 'arena shows' for Gnæus Gracchus - who we know as the 'Boss' - now, of course, deceased.
"Yes - and I hope this is not a prelude to another of Faunus' 'performances'." Josh replied - presumably referring to the 'appearance of the 'goddess' on their previous visit.
Jim had just turned a corner, when he almost bumped into a young, female tourist.
Jim had met this girl - who he had taken to be a tourist - but then she had used his original name - 'Marcus' - and she had claimed that they had met before.
Her skin was pale, her eyes were blue and her hair was golden, and in many ways her features were very similar to those of Ashraf.
It was Glaux who led Adonios - Adonios, who we now call Josh - yes - Glaux led Adonios to Faunus.
And to Jim, this talk sounded uncomfortably similar to the enigmatic and obscure utterances that his 'guardian', Gracchus had received, in 'another time and another place', from the 'Sibylline Oracle of Cumæ'.
Jim looked at the girl - with a look that he often used - a look that said he was unimpressed.
It was a sceptical look that he sometime gave Ethan when his friend offered a suggestion, or an explanation, that was far from convincing.
"That's very interesting, and I do remember the verses - although I would question some details of the translation....
But I have heard that sort of thing so many times - and little has come of it...", Jim said softly..
"Now this is the Mammisi or 'birth house' associated with this temple, and the screen walls running between the finely carved columns are typical of Ptolemaic temple architecture of this period.
The Mammisi is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, who is the son of Isis and Osiris.
The fine reliefs in the mammisi depict scenes from Horus’ childhood.", Teddy began.
It is unfinished, and is attributed to the Roman Emperor Trajan - mainly because many of the reliefs depict Trajan, although the structure may well date to the time of the Emperor Augustus - our friend Octavian.
The purpose of Trajan's Kiosk is often debated, but its function was probably to shelter the 'Barque of Isis' at the eastern banks of Philae island.
Here, however, for some reason, this decoration was never completed.
And then there was the inevitable question from Ethan.
And everyone was wondering for how long their unaccustomed good humour and politeness would last.
Then there was a comment from someone standing behind Jim...
"Ah... that explains your interest in the temple and Trajan's Kiosk." the young man replied.
"Well I'm staying at the 'Cataract', so perhaps we could meet in the bar - later.
But anyway we'll say nothing to the others about that, as only you, me, Teddy and Novius know about 'Majestic'...", Jim added.
"Ah yes... I remember this from last time - and very nice it is too.", Ethan said approvingly, as they stepped ashore after the short trip to the island.
"So after a relaxing walk among the palms, trees and shrubs, they eventually found a quiet, shady spot to have their lunch.
"Well, none of us - except perhaps Faunus, have seen the temples at Abu Simbel - which are near here, and you, of course, have not seen Cairo - or Alexandria, for that matter.", Jim replied.
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| AirWest - Refuelling at Las Vegas - Nevada - USA |
It appeared that Jim was needed for a meeting with provincial officials from Chiapas - with regard to some mining concessions.
In addition, there were matters that needed finalising with regard to the 'AirWest' airline with which Franklin had negotiating.
The reason for this new move into a completely different enterprise was simply that the 'Boss' had left Jim numerous assets in Mexico, and particularly in Chiapas.
Having established himself firmly in Las Vegas, Jim, had been advised by Franklin to expand his interests in Mexico, where labour was abundantly available, and taxation, utilities and overheads were low.
It was obvious that, apart from mining, tourism was a lucrative area for development.
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| AirWest Logo |
And so Franklin had been arranging for the purchase of the once defunct 'AirWest' airline, that would then be upgraded and refurbished to become the dedicated, luxury airline for travel to the resorts that were, at that very moment, being developed in Mexico by the 'Athena Corporation'...
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| Air West Poster |
This material was still under consideration by Jim, but as soon as Franklin's negotiations were successfully completed, then a decision would be forthcoming.
Jim, however, said nothing about this to Clare, or Brody, and Glen.
That would be for later...
Meanwhile, back at the Winter Palace in Luxor...
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| The Sarcophagus is Scanned |
Tony Stark and his technicians had set up his advanced, holographic, digital scanning system in order to make a thorough analysis of the recovered sarcophagus.
While Ashraf looked on, Tony began the slow task of unravelling the strange technology of the supposedly ancient artefact.
The technology, however, was problematic, but at least Ashraf was available to translate the hieroglyphics.
While Tony was working on the sarcophagus he received a call on his 'cell-phone'.
"Hi Tony - everything good your end ?"....
It was Jim.
"We're good here Jim...
The sarcophagus is safe and sound.", Tony replied.
"And what do you make of it ?", Jim asked.
"Well that's the problem...
It's 'hi-tech' - but not 'hi-tech as we know it Jim...",
"And what's that mean, Tony ?", Jim responded.
"Well that's difficult to explain.", Tony replied.
"The science behind it is difficult to understand - even for me.
It's like something from far into the future - but Ashraf insist that the inscriptions - the actual hieroglyphics that is - and the language and mythology are from the very earliest period of Egyptian history - making it difficult for even him to decipher and understand...
So it really just doesn't make any sense.", Tony explained.
"OK - thanks Tony...
I have to take people sightseeing now, so I'll speak to you later...", Jim said.
Jim told no-one about his chat with Tony... there was no good reason to do so at that point ... and so Jim announced at breakfast that they would all be going to Agilkia Island- and later Kitchener's Island that day.
Jim then called Ethan, and asked Ethan if he could leave his composing - just for the day, as they needed Teddy to act as a guide for their trip to Agilkia Island.
Reluctantly Ethan agreed.
Jim then asked for the reception at the Cataract Hotel to arrange for a motor launch to take his party to Agilkia Island.
Although obtaining a launch by having the hotel make the arrangements was more expensive than simply wandering down into the town, going to the the corniche, and looking for a launch, Jim was not concerned about the expense, and using the hotel would ensure that they were provided with a good quality launch, and more importantly, a reliable crew.
In addition, Jim ordered packed lunches for everyone so that they could have a nice picnic on Kitchener's Island, as there was no where to buy a meal - or even a drink - on either Agilkia Island, or Kitchener's Island.
So they all gathered at the hotel steps, leading down to the Nile, where the launch was to arrive.
Agilkia Island - Aswan - Upper Egypt
"This 'captain' of the launch - he'll speak English ?", Ethan asked, as we don't want the problem of him having to chat to Teddy in Arabic.
"Oh yes - the concierge assured me that he was fluent in English - and some other languages for that matter.", Jim replied.
Faunus then appeared pretending to originate from الإسكندرية - Alexandria, in the Delta, and masquerading as 'Ali' - complete with phoney ID !
So they bought the tickets, and made their way onto the island...
Clare stayed with Jim, Ethan and Teddy, while some of the others, who had been to the island on their previous visit, checked out some of the buildings they had visited before.
"So, mainly for Clare, a little bit of background...", Faunus began - maintaining his excellent, but rather incongruous Egyptian accent.
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| Colonnade - Temple of Isis - Agilkia Island - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
An expert in architectural matters, of course, would be able to spot that at a glance, mainly from the overall proportions, and the grouping of the various architectural elements, rather than the superficial details and decorations...", Faunus explained, in his best academic style.
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| Teddy at the Temple of Isis |
"Now don't make fun...", Teddy interjected.
"I wasn't - it's very interesting... ", Clare protested, feigning innocence.
"You see it's just the length of the colonnade, the slender proportions and regularity of the columns, and the short distance between each column that all amounts to this part of the structure being of Hellenistic derivation despite its 'faux Egyptian' decoration.", Teddy added - adding his own brand of technical detail.
Ethan nudged Teddy..."OK, 'Mr Clever' - what does 'derivation', and 'fuax-thingy' actually mean ?".
"... 'tell you later...", Teddy replied, as he stomped off to sit on one of the steps between the columns.
But back in the Winter Palace in Luxor - things were more serious...
While Tony, having given up on trying to understand the scans that he had been making of the interior of the sarcophagus, had satisfied himself, for the moment, with laboriously, yet carefully cleaning the sides of the Sarcophagus, Ashraf had been following Tony, and had been attempting to translate the ancient and obscure hieroglyphs that Tony's cleaning had exposed.
The hieroglyphs consisted of inlays of gold, set into veneers of lapis lazuli - a precious form of marquetery that obviously involved great skill and patience to achieve.
(The work was rather in the style - in terms of technique, rather than design - of the famous French cabinet maker Andre-Charles Boulle, although his work was produced in the 1700s in France.)
Many of the terms that the hieroglyphs represented Ashraf found difficult to interpret, but there were many passages, of a conventional ritual and mythological nature that were of a nature with which Ashraf was familiar from his own time.
"Tony effendi - I think I may have found a clue that may help us to find what Jim pasha seeks...", Ashraf said excitedly - pointing to some lines of hieroglyphics that were, of course, completely incomprehensible to Tony.
"So - what does it say ?", Tony asked.
It says - roughly - this...
'O you who would seek the joys of an eternal and perfect youth - look to the time - forward or back.Pass through the days and years as you will ...Let the stars take you to your perfect days - days where you may dwell forever.'
"And how does that help us. ?", Tony asked
"Look to the 'time'.
I think it means that we should find a special hieroglyph that represents the idea of time.", Ashraf suggested.
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| The 'Time' Cartouche |
"Well there is one large hieroglyph on the top of the sarcophagus which stands for 'time' - there !", Ashraf replied, pointing to a strange looking sign, set in a cartouche.
The term 'cartouche' was first applied by French soldiers who fancied that the symbol they saw so frequently repeated on the pharaonic ruins they encountered resembled a muzzle-loading firearm's paper powder cartridge (cartouche in French). As a hieroglyph, a cartouche can represent the Egyptian-language word for 'name' - and is usually found surrounding the name of a Pharaoh or a 'Divine Being' (Neter).The ancient Egyptian word for cartouche was 'shenu' - which was the word that Ashraf used to describe it.
Immediately Tony began cleaning the cartouche and the hieroglyph, and in the process he unintentionally depressed it.
There was a faint hum, and a then a circular device emerged from the top of the sarcophagus.
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| Part of the Top of the sarcophagus |
"Well Jim never mentioned anything about this before... like from when he first discovered this thing.", Tony said, sounding puzzled.
Now the whole sarcophagus was actually in the form of a cartouche - although that could only be appreciated if it was viewed from directly above, and after the 'Time' hieroglyph had been depressed a circular device had emerged in some strange way from the top part of the sarcophagus, where the head of the body would presumably be located.
The emerging device, as with the rest of the sarcophagus, was also veneered with lapis, and was seemingly 'decorated' with intricate figures and designs in various coloured enamels, outlined with gold.
"So what on earth is this ?", Tony asked, hoping that Ashraf might know.
"Not 'what on earth', effendi - but in heaven.
I have seen this before - when I went to Dendara with my master.
It is a map of the heavens.", Ashraf said emphatically.
"OK - well let's not touch it - and we can wait until Jim, and Novius and Faunus and Teddy return, and then we can work out what all this is about.
"So we just wait, effendi ?", Ashraf asked.
"Well yes - but now I think we should take some photos - and I will send them to Jim - encoded of course.
This is something very important, Ashraf - so for now we should not share this knowledge with anyone." Tony said.
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| Egyptian Isis |
"Now I think you should say something nice to Teddy, and bring him out of the sun, otherwise, sitting there, he may over-heat, and then we'll have a real problem...", Faunus said to Ethan.
Ethan reluctantly agreed, and went over to retrieve Teddy, while Clare questioned Faunus.
"So tell me something about Isis.", Clare said to Faunus.
"Well Isis is a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion.
Isis was first mentioned in the Old Kingdom as one of the main characters of the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her slain husband, the divine king Osiris, and produces and protects his heir, Horus.
She was believed to help the dead enter the afterlife as she had helped Osiris, and she was considered the divine mother of the pharaoh, who was likened to Horus.
Her maternal aid was invoked in healing spells to benefit ordinary people.
She is usually portrayed as a human woman wearing a throne-like hieroglyph on her head.
Her reputed magical power was greater than that of all the other gods, and she was said to govern the skies and the natural world, and have power over Fate itself...
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| Hellenistic Isis adapted from a painting by John William Godward |
Isis made her way into the Greco-Roman world because she was powerful, encompassed all the other deities, and benefitted not only life but the afterlife of her initiated followers. She was a popular god with women because she was the goddess of love and motherhood, she was popular with sailors because she had control of the sea and the weather, and she was popular with the men as she controlled fate.
The cult of Isis was also unique in that it was a mystery religion, bathed in secrecy, but daily worship of the goddess did not require one to be initiated into the mysteries.
Isis was the mother goddess - a powerful universal goddess who reigned as 'queen of heaven'.
She was known as the goddess with innumerable names - in that she was all the other gods and goddess’ that other people believed in, and she even took control over many of the main centres of Greek worship.
Inscriptions show that she had a large presence in Delphi, Eleusis, and Delos.
She won the love and loyalty of innumerable men and women as her wisdom was without measure and she also possessed healing abilities for the sick."
"Yes... she sounds very impressive...", Clare said.
By the time Faunus had finished his explanation about Isis, Teddy seemed to have stopped sulking, and Ethan had brought him back over to where the group were standing in the shade.
"So Teddy, would you like to show us round the temple ?", Jim asked, on Clare's behalf.
Clare, of course, had not seen the temple before as this was here first time in Egypt.
"Of course - follow us...", Teddy said, obviously back to his old self, and referring to himself and Ethan.
Teddy then began one of his inimitably 'smooth' introduction to the tour.
"This beautiful temple complex is one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt.
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| Temple of Isis - Agilkia Island - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
The temple was moved to its current location following the construction of the 'High Dam', which threatened to submerge the temple and the surrounding area permanently.
The careful reconstruction at the current site painstakingly preserved the original appearance and layout of the complex - even to the extent of landscaping the island to match its former location.
Philae rose to prominence during the Ptolemaic Dynasty as the centre of the cult of the 'Goddess Isis'.
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| Temple to the Goddess Isis - Baiae - Italy |
This complex was actually one of the last remaining places where the ancient religion survived in public after the arrival of christianity in Egypt - and the temple was officially closed only in 550 AD.
"Well it's really magnificent...", Novius commented.
"And there was a temple to the goddess Isis in Baiae, close by Gracchus' arena - but of course nowhere as magnificent as this one, here in Egypt.", Novius reminisced.
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| 'Magistri Harena' - Baiae Amphitheatre - Italy |
In the time referred to, Petronius was one of the most senior of Gracchus' salves, and held the Latin title 'Magistri Harena' - 'Master of the Arena' - and was responsible for the shows (spectacula) mounted in the Amphitheatre at Baiae.
A 'thermopolium' is an ancient Roman 'snack-bar' - a bit like an 'automat' (but without the machines, and using slaves instead), selling hot food and beverages.
Of course Zac guessed what Jim must be thinking, and Josh and Ethan also....
The others, and particularly Clare, however, knew little if anything of those days in Baiae - and all this talk of Isis they presumed was as new to Jim, Zac, Ethan and Josh, just as it was to them.
Novius, however, had many memories of Baiae and, as with the boys, not all of them were good.
Also, very little was hidden from Teddy, but what he actually knew no-one could tell.
But Teddy wisely ignored the possible links that some members of the group may have had with their previous experiences in Italy regarding Isis, or anything else for that matter, and continued with his purposefully innocuous 'tourist' description of their current location.
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| The Ruins of the Kushite City of Meroë |
"This area in the extreme south of Egypt was not only of religious interest in ancient times - although it was held by some to be the burial place of Osiris - but was also the centre of commerce between the Kushite city of Meroë and Memphis.
The rapids of the cataracts were at most seasons impracticable, and the commodities exchanged between Egypt and Nubia were reciprocally landed and re-embarked around Philae where this temple is situated.
The neighbouring granite quarries also attracted a population of miners and stonemasons; and, for the convenience of this traffic, a gallery or road was formed in the rocks along the east bank of the Nile, portions of which are still extant."
"Very interesting, Teddy, but shouldn't we go in, and have a look round ?", Jim asked.
"OK...", Teddy replied - mimicking Ethan.
But instead of going in through the main entrance to the temple - the doorway between the very impressive and well preserved Pylons, Teddy told Ethan to take them round the side.
At that point they passed some disconsolate tourists who were being escorted out from the temple.
"I see Faunus has managed to get then place 'evacuated' - as usual.", 'Sigi' whispered to Josh.
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| Hallway - Temple of Isis - Agilkia Island - Aswan |
'Sigi' and Glen looked nervous.
Having reached the side of the temple, Teddy guided them into a passageway, lavishly decorated with Ptolemaic painted bas-reliefs.
"This part of the temple is not usually open to visitors.", Teddy said.
"Now why doesn't that surprise me..." Jim said.
"Yes - and I don't remember any gilded gates the last time we were here...", Ethan added - alluding obviously to the beautiful 'Egyptian style' gate at the end of the lofty hallway down which they were walking.
"Well as I explained a moment ago, this part of the temple is not usually open to visitors.", Teddy said - repeating himself.
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| Dahabiya 'Hadeel' at the Cataract Hotel |
And so they entered the Temple of Isis.
"I'll leave you with Teddy and the others, and have a look 'round on my own.
I've already heard Teddy's talk about the temple before...", Jim said to Clare - and Jim then wandered off.
For some reason that he couldn't quite fathom, Jim felt that he needed to be on his own.
The Nile cruise had been somewhat claustrophobic, despite the fact that the dahabeeyah was large, and his suite at the Cataract Hotel was spacious - but not having his own office had meant that Jim was in the company of others for most of the day, except when he was with Ethan and Teddy.
So a wander on his own through the hallways and chambers in the cool of the deserted temple was a welcome relief for Jim.
And that was when the meeting took place...
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| Tourist in the Temple |
"Oh ! I'm sorry ! - I didn't mean to startle you....
I thought all the tourists had left...", Jim said apologetically.
"I see...
Well if I'm a 'tourist'... then what are you ?", the girl replied - with a distinctly American accent.
"Well... I'm with a sort of 'special' group...", Jim replied nervously.
"I see...
'Special' in what way' ?", the girl asked.
"Well sort of a 'private group'...
That's why all the other tourists seem to have gone.", Jim replied - rather unnerved by the girl's aura of confidence - and, he almost thought, 'authority'.
The girl nodded - noncommittedly.
There was an awkward pause...
"You seem familiar... are you staying at the Cataract Hotel ?", Jim asked, trying to break the slightly uncomfortable silence.
And the girl did seem familiar - but Jim couldn't place where he might have seen her before.
"Oh no... I'm just here to see you...", the girl replied.
Jim was taken aback by the girl's strange reply.
"Me ?", Jim said - realizing as soon as he spoke that he sounded rather stupid.
"Yes, you Marcus - I'm surprised that you didn't recognise me.", the girl said, smiling.
Ethan's Vectorgraphic of a Column in the Temple of isis Meanwhile, in another part of the temple, Teddy was warming to one of his favourite Egyptian topics - 'Ptolemaic architecture'."Now it's difficult to realise what this temple actually looked like in ancient times.Fortunately however, I have a 'vector graphic' which I think will give you a good impression of just part of the temple's original appearance - and Ethan will now give you each a copy to peruse."OK Teddy...", Ethan began..."So what's a 'vectorgraphic-thingy', and what does 'peruse mean ?", Ethan asked, as he dutifully handed out the beautifully colour printed laminated sheets.
Vector graphics are computer graphics images that are defined in terms of points on a Cartesian plane, which are connected by lines and curves to form polygons and other shapes. Vector graphics have the unique advantage over raster graphics in that the points, lines, and curves may be scaled up or down to any resolution with no aliasing. The points determine the direction of the vector path; each path may have various properties including values for stroke colour, shape, curve, thickness, and fill - and so on....
"A 'vectorgraphic' is an image suitable for use on a computer - and 'peruse' means to look at or to view.", Teddy explained to Ethan - seeming quite 'put out' by the interruption.
And it was at that moment that 'time', seemingly imperceptibly, slowed down - but of course nobody noticed.
And as you should be aware - 'time', and the passing of time, is 'relative' - as our friend Einstein would say.
Albert Einstein - 14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955 - was a German-born theoretical physicist. Einstein is known for developing the 'Theory of Relativity', but he also made important contributions to the development of the theory of 'Quantum Mechanics'. Following his research on General Relativity, Einstein attempted to generalize his theory of gravitation to include electromagnetism as aspects of a single entity. In 1950, he described his 'Unified Field Theory'. Although mainstream physics long ignored Einstein's approaches to unification, Einstein's work has motivated modern quests for a 'Theory of Everything', in particular 'String Theory', where geometrical fields emerge in a unified quantum-mechanical setting.
Albert Einstein
And why was time slowing down ?
Well because more time was needed for a conversation that was beginning in another part of the temple.
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| A Vision of Isis ? |
Of course Jim' suspicions were instantly alerted, and in those attenuated moments - when time seemed to strangely 'loiter' - Jim saw in his minds eye an image of this strangely met girl - and image that was familiar, and yet different.
The vision of Isis - if it was actually Isis - that he had experienced during his previous visit to the temple - when he and the others had been in the sanctuary - had been of a woman of startling beauty but of seemingly ancient Egyptian appearance.
Now, however, he was seeing the girl that he had taken to be a tourist emerging from the shadows, wearing the costly and elaborate crown of the 'goddess', but still ordinary but very attractive.
 |
| اشرف المصري - Ashraf al Masri |
But the 'vision' - if that was what it was - was fleeting - and in a moment he found he was looking at a young lady who gave every impression of being - well - just a tourist.
"And now I think you feel that you do recognise me - at least a little...", the girl said.
"Yes... It was the last time I was here - there was a sort of resemblance...", Jim stuttered - unsure what was actually happening.
"Well, it was your little faun - he did overdo things, a little...", the girl said with a smile.
"Maybe... but he's not my 'faun'.
 |
| Faunus - Villa Pastoralis |
Faunus lived in the woods near the 'Villa Pastoralis', in Tibur, in Italy.
And it was they - Glaux and Adonios - who brought the 'faun', as you describe him, to me.", Jim explained.
"Well, regardless, he is your faun now - and always will be.", the girl replied.
"I see...", Jim said - wondering where this was going to lead.
"But this is not just about your 'faun'...
Events have moved on, and now that your time with Gnæus has come to and end, new opportunities are presenting themselves.
The sarcophagus has been revealed to you - opening up vast new horizons.", the girls continued.
This, not surprisingly, worried Jim...
Ever since Khonsu had appeared, and then Ethan and Glen had sighted the pyramid at Armant, Jim had felt that things were, in some indefinable way, getting out of control - and now, this relatively ordinary girl, who Jim now took to be a possible 'avatar' of the 'goddess' Isis, having noticed the similarity between her and the 'vision in the sanctuary', was suggesting that - as she had put it - 'new opportunities were presenting themselves'.
 |
| 'The Cumæan Sibyl' |
The 'Cumæan Sibyl' provides at least two oracles relating to Marcus (Jim) in the preceding 'Story of Gracchus'. The shrine of the Sibyl was located at the Temple of Apollo, near the Greek city of Baiae, where Gracchus had his palatial villa. It was the Cumæan Sibyl whom Virgil's Aeneas consulted before his descent to the Underworld (Aeneid book VI: 10). She is said to have sold the original 'Sibylline Books' to 'Tarquinius Superbus', the last king of Rome. In Virgil's Fourth Eclogue, the Cumæan Sibyl foretells the coming of a 'saviour' - possibly a flattering reference to the poet's patron, Octavian Augustus - or maybe a reference to someone else - far into the future...
Just before the eruption of 'Mount Vesuvius', during the late summer of 79 AD, which resulted in several Roman cities being obliterated and buried underneath massive pyroclastic surges and ashfall deposits, the best known being Pompeii and Herculaneum, Marcus (Jim) celebrated the dedication of the 'new' temple of the god 'Apollo the Avenger' at Cumæ, in memory of Gnæus Octavian Gracchus, and as a thanksgiving for the beneficence that had been received from Apollos' oracle.
"So, Marcus, you should recall the verses of the poet Virgil that Lucius, your Latin tutor taught you.... |
| The Poet Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro |
'From the beginning all things start again -
A 'new order of the ages'
'Novus Ordo Saeculorum'.
And now from the heavens on high is descending a new generation.
To the eternal decree of the gods:
Run on, oh ages!
Bless him with whom will arise, the new race that is gloriously golden,
Bless him who now reigns with his brother, Apollo,
For now is the beginning of a wonderful age
And he will partake of the life of the gods, and meet with them,
Meet all the heroes; and he will, in turn, by the gods be beholden.
And deign to accept, for the time is fulfilled... the illustrious honours,
For you are the favoured of the gods.'..."
It was a sceptical look that he sometime gave Ethan when his friend offered a suggestion, or an explanation, that was far from convincing.
"That's very interesting, and I do remember the verses - although I would question some details of the translation....
But I have heard that sort of thing so many times - and little has come of it...", Jim said softly..
Publius Vergilius Maro 70 BC – 19 BC), usually called Virgil, was an ancient Roman poet during the period when Octavian was Cæsar Augustus. Virgil composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: the 'Eclogues', the 'Georgics', and the the epic poem the 'Aeneid'. Virgil's work has had wide and deep influence on Western literature. Virgil has been traditionally ranked as Rome's greatest poet, and his 'Aeneid' is also considered the 'national epic' of ancient Rome - a title held since composition.
Octavian Cæsar
Meanwhile, in the Temple of Isis, Teddy was continuing with his lecture about Ptolemaic and Romano-Egyptian architecture - but he knew - as he would put it - that 'something was up'.
 |
| Mammisi at the Temple of Isis - Agilkia Island - Aswan |
Unlike everyone else, Teddy could register that time had slowed down and, being a very clever bear, he guessed that it was something to do with Jim, who had been missing for a while.
However, because something strange had been occurring to the 'time-line', as far as everyone else was concerned, Jim was seemingly not gone for long, and turned up as Teddy was leading everyone out of the main temple building in order to view the 'birth house'.
The Mammisi is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, who is the son of Isis and Osiris.
The fine reliefs in the mammisi depict scenes from Horus’ childhood.", Teddy began.
Jim then stood at the back of his group, distractedly listening to Teddy's talk about the Mammisi.
But there was more to see - and Teddy was determined to make the most of this opportunity to be the 'perfect tour-guide' - partly because Teddy's 'multi-phased temporal perception' allowed him, on occasions, to see just a little bit into the future - and so he knew that this particular 'role' - the role of the 'tour-guide' - would soon be denied him, at least for a while...
So what was next on the agenda ?
Well, possibly the most iconic structure on the island - Trajan's Kiosk.
"Now some of these buildings are not Ptolemaic...", Teddy said by way of introduction, as he got Ethan to lead them all to one side of the island.
"Some structures are pure Roman !", Teddy added, almost triumphantly, as he took them back into the blazing sunshine.
And so the lecture began...
"Trajan's Kiosk is a stone structure fifteen meters by twenty meters - and it is fifteen metres high.
 |
| Emperor Trajan |
Trajan was Roman emperor from 98 to 117. Officially declared by the Senate 'Optimus Princeps' (best leader - loosely translated), Trajan is remembered as a successful 'soldier-emperor' who presided over the second-greatest military expansion in Roman history, after Augustus. Trajan, however, was not perfect, as he tended to overindulge on wine, and had an insatiable liking for handsome teenage boys.
 |
| Trajan's Kiosk - Reconstruction |
Barque Stations - or 'shelters' - were resting places for the statue of the god when journeying outside the temple during festival processions. The god would inhabit this temporary shrine and bestow blessings to the local population. The first station was usually inside the temple, and the second just outside its pylon walls. Other stations were built at greater distances along the processional rout up and down the Nile, and some were just a few miles apart.
Its four by five columns each carry different, lavishly structured composite capitals that are topped by two metre-high piers, that were originally intended to be sculpted into Bes piers, similar to those found at the birth-houses of Philae and Dendara.
 |
| The Barque of Isis |
As we see it now, the structure is roofless, but sockets within the structure's architraves suggest that its roof, which was made of timber, was indeed constructed in ancient times.
Three twelve metre-long triangulated trusses, which were inserted into a ledge at the back of stone architecture, carried the slightly vaulted roof.
All the fourteen columns are connected by screen walls, in the usual Ptolemaic style, with entrances in the eastern and western facades.
The attribution to Emperor Trajan is based on a carving inside the kiosk structure, depicting the Emperor burning incense before Osiris and Isis.", Teddy said...
 |
| Bes |
"And Teddy - what's this 'Bes piers-thingy' ?
"Good question, Ethan.
Bes together with his feminine counterpart Beset, is an ancient Egyptian deity worshipped as a protector of households and, in particular, of mothers, children and childbirth.
Bes later came to be regarded as the defender of everything 'good', and the enemy of all that is 'bad'.
Worship of Bes spread as far north as the area of Syria, and as far west as the Balearic Islands in Spain, and later into the Roman Empire...
And as to a 'pier'... in architecture a 'pier' is an upright support for a structure or superstructure such as an arch.
Sections of structural walls between openings - known as bays - can also function as piers. - OK, Ethan ?"
"OK, Teddy - thanks." Ethan replied.
 |
| Trajan's Kiosk - Agilkia Island - Aswan - Upper Egypt |
And so then Teddy gave everyone a break from his relentless outpouring of facts, figures and names, and they all wandered round the remarkable structure, while Clare and Novius entered the kiosk in order to take advantage of the shade that it provided.
'Sigi' in particular was interested in comparing what remained of the 'kiosk' with the elegant computer generated reconstructions that that Teddy had provided.
 |
| John |
"Quite a majestic building."
Jim turned to see a well dressed young man nearby, looking closely at the kiosk.
"Yes... but not really as impressive as the pyramids.", Jim replied, trying to be non-comital, and pretending to ignore the possible significance of the adjective that the young man had chosen to use.
At the same time Zac stepped forward, always on his guard when anyone approached the group, and particularly Jim.
Now strictly speaking this stranger should not have been on the island, as Faunus had arranged with the police for all the other tourists to be shepherded out, on the pretext that the site had been closed.
So the question that was concerning both Jim and Zac was how this individual had managed to evade the attentions of the Tourist Police - but then the same could be said for the girl who had met Jim in the Temple.
The girl however could possibly have been accounted for - if she was who she appeared to be - but as for the young man - well that was another matter.
"So you've been to Cairo, and the pyramids ?", the young man asked.
Jim nodded.
"So your on a group tour then ?"...
There was an awkward pause as Jim didn't answer...
"A 'college group', by the look of you.", the young man continued.
"Yes - the University of Nevada - the School of Architecture - part of the College of Fine Arts ...", Zac said, butting into the conversation.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is a public research university in Paradise, Nevada. The 332-acre campus is about 1.6 mi (2.6 km) east of the Las Vegas Strip. The School of Architecture (SOA) is part of the College of Fine Arts. It is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and provides the only program accredited for architecture in the state of Nevada. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in architecture, interior architecture and landscape architecture.
Seal of the University of Nevada
It was, of course, part of Zac's job to always have a good 'cover story' for the group.
 |
| University of Nevada - School of Architecture - Nevada - USA |
"Well yes...", Jim replied, taking over from Zac.
"So are you staying round here, or have you just flown in for the day ?", the young man asked.
(It was possible to have a day trip to Aswan - flying there and back from Luxor)
"Well actually we're staying at the Cataract Hotel.", Jim replied.
It was information that Jim didn't really want to give away, but it was probably better to be honest than to get caught up in a complicated 'story' that, if it didn't hang together well, would probably invite suspicion.
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| Egyptian 'Tourist Police' |
It would be nice to chat to some fellow Americans.", the young man said, smiling.
"Yes, why not...", Zac replied, endeavouring to take the focus away from Jim.
"Well we're going to visit Kitchener's Island after this - so perhaps we'll see you later at the hotel.", Jim added, being purposefully vague.
"My name's John, by the way...", and John held out his hand.
"Jim...", Jim said, rather formally, shaking hands with 'John' by way of a response.
"So what was that all about ?", Zac asked Jim, as the young stranger strode away.
"I wish I knew...", Jim replied.
"Well it was a bit strange - and I wonder how he managed to avoid the Tourist-police when the place was cleared.", Zac commented.
"Yes - and I wonder if there was any significance in his use of the word 'majestic'...
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| Kitchener's Island - جزيرة النباتات - 'Geziret En Nabatat' - Aswan |
"Yes - and Faunus.", Zac said.
"Yes - but then Faunus knows about almost everything.", Jim responded.
"Well regardless... forget about this 'John' guy, and lets get everyone together, get back to the boat, and go for a nice relaxing trip to Kitchener's Island where we can have our picnic.", Zac suggested.
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| Lord Kitchener of Khartoum |
Kitchener's Island is less than a kilometre long, and it's less than ½ a kilometre wide.
The island is usually called 'Kitchener's Island' after Lord Kitchener, who for some time owned it - although locals refer to it as 'جزيرة النباتات' - 'Geziret En Nabatat' the 'Island of Plants'. Lord Kitchener was Consul-General of Egypt from 1911 until 1914, during the reign of the Egyptian Khedive, Abbas Hilmi II. With the aid of the 'Anglo-Egyptian' 'Ministry of Irrigation', Kitchener rapidly transformed the small island into a paradise of exotic trees, many from India, and plants in gardens with views of the Nile and paved walkways.
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| Kitchener's Island - Walkway |
"This, Clare, is known 'جزيرة النباتات' - 'Geziret En Nabatat' - or in English... the 'Island of Plants' - for obvious reasons...", Teddy said.
"I see - and it's wonderful - like our gardens at the 'Winter Palace'.", Clare replied enthusiastically, as she gazed around at the profusion of palms and shrubs.
"So lets have a little walk around, and then we can find a nice shady spot for our picnic.", Jim suggested.
"It's a pity the kittens weren't with us... they'd love it here,", Ethan said wistfully.
"Yes - but perhaps we can bring them here another time.", Jim replied.
The 'kittens'- a pair of all black, twin baby cats, call Bastet and Sekhmet - they adopted Jim and Ethan on an earlier visit to the village of Qurnah on the West Bank, opposite Luxor when the 'boys' discovered the 'Lion Cave'.
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| Ethan and Teddy Prepare the Picnic |
By now they were quite accustomed to eating 'al-fresco', as they often ate their lunch in the gardens of the 'Winter Palace' back in Luxor - although their rarely took meals outdoors in Nevada or California.- but then in Egypt they felt they were on vacation, and were comfortable about being more informal.
Once the picnic was over, it was back to the motor launch, and then a return to the 'Cataract Hotel'.
"So where do we go next ?", Clare asked.
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| Abu Simbel - Vintage Poster |
"And here's Abu Simbel - in case anyone is interested...", Ethan said - whipping out a vintage poster of the famous temples, which are situated in the far south of Egypt.
"Yes - well not a good image...", Teddy commented drily.
"But although we haven't spoken much about the temples there, Abu Simbel is one of the most famous sites in Egypt - and perhaps while we are here we should go and have a look - not today, but perhaps tomorrow - it's only three and a half hours by limo...", Teddy added.
"Well alright, Teddy.
The way you put it perhaps we should.", Jim said.
But now I think we should 'call it a day', and relax at the hotel.
'أبو سمبل' - Abu Simbel consists of two massive rock-cut temples in the village of the same name in Aswan. They are situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser, about 230 km (140 miles) southwest of Aswan (about 300 km [190 miles] by road).
the next part of the trip becomes complicated as Jim meets 'John' in the Cataract Bar - and later they find they need to return to Luxor, where Jim has an important discussions with Tony about the sarcophagus. Next day some of the group fly to Cairo in order to show Clare some of the highlights of that fabulous - if noisy, smelly and crowded - city on the Nile and then at the insistence of 'Sigi' and partly to avoid 'John', the fly to Abu Simbel, in the far South...
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202