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The Ancient World

What's left of the Egyptian, Roman, and Greek empires, including: Ancient Egypt; Roman Philadelphia; Knossos; Greek acropoli and monuments.
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The "front" entrance to Luxor Temple, Egypt. Dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun-Min, Mut, and Konsu, Luxor Temple stands in the center of town. The statues are of Ramses II, to whom the first court in the temple is dedicated. There were originally two obelisks here -- the second was removed and now stands at the Louvre in Paris. Originally joined by a road to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu obelisk pylon wall Ramses 'Ramses II' statue colossus colossi
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The "front" entrance to Luxor Temple, Egypt. Dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun-Min, Mut, and Konsu, Luxor Temple stands in the center of town. The statues are of Ramses II, to whom the first court in the temple is dedicated. There were originally two obelisks here -- the second was removed and now stands at the Louvre in Paris. Originally joined by a road to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. © Rick Collier






Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu obelisk pylon wall Ramses 'Ramses II' statue colossus colossi

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  • Athens, Greece. The Parthenon is repaired and reconstructed before the 2004 Olympics were held in Athens. The parthenon stands atop the acropolis. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Ancient Greece Athens ruin ruins column columns capital capitals temples acropolis parthenon ruins ruin archaeology archaeological
  • Athens, Greece. A temple stands near the Parthenon atop the Acropolis. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Ancient Greece Athens ruin ruins column columns capital capitals temples acropolis parthenon ruins ruin archaeology archaeological
  • The Sphinx is illuminated during the nightly "sound and light" show at Giza. The Giza pyramids sound and light show provides a dramatic setting for this piece of Egyptian history. The Sphinx is believed to have been the ritual funerary entrance to the Pyramid of Chephren, to which it is linked by a causeway. The ruins in front of the Sphinx are the remains of the valley temple that would have been the first stop for Chephren, as his body was moved in stages into his pyramid tomb. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Giza pyramid pyramids Sphinx Cheops 'Great Pyramid' 'Great Pyramid of Cheops' Chephren 'Pyramid of Chephren' night evening 'after dark' sound light 'sound and light' show presentation tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity audience tomb tombs lights
  • The Sphinx and surrounding valley temples are illuminated in front of the Pyramid of Chephren, to which they are linked. The Giza pyramids sound and light show provides a dramatic setting for this piece of Egyptian history. The Sphinx is believed to have been the ritual funerary entrance to the Pyramid of Chephren, to which it is linked by a causeway. The ruins in front of the Sphinx are the remains of the valley temple that would have been the first stop for Chephren, as his body was moved in stages into his pyramid tomb. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Giza pyramid pyramids Sphinx Cheops 'Great Pyramid' 'Great Pyramid of Cheops' Chephren 'Pyramid of Chephren' night evening 'after dark' sound light 'sound and light' show presentation tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity audience tomb tombs lights
  • The three most famous pyramids at Giza, outside of Cairo Egypt, are all illuminated in the weekly presentation of the sound and light show. The ruins in foreground are the remains of the valley temples that would have been the first stop in funerals of the kings and queens interred in the pyramids. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Giza pyramid pyramids Sphinx Cheops 'Great Pyramid' 'Great Pyramid of Cheops' Chephren 'Pyramid of Chephren' Mycerinus 'Pyramid of Mycerinus' queen queens 'Queen's Pyramids' 'Queens Pyramids' night evening 'after dark' sound light 'sound and light' show presentation tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity audience tomb tombs lights
  • Saqqara, Egypt -- Zoser's Step Pyramid stands at the end of the open courtyard at the center of Zoser's funerary complex in Saqqara. The famous 'Step Pyramid of Zoser (or Djoser, or Doser) is among the oldest pyramids in Egypt, was designed and built by Imhotep, who was the pharoe's architect. The 'step pyramid' style predates the more famous smooth-sided pyramids found in Giza. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Saqqara pyramid pyramids step steps pharoah pharoahs Zoser Dozer Doser Djoser 'step pyramid' Imhotep tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity audience tomb tombs
  • The desert at Saqqara, Egypt, is dotted with pyramids. Here a much newer pyramid that has begun to collapse stands in the foreground, with the famous 'Step Pyramid of Zoser (or Djoser, or Doser) in the background. Zoser's pyramid is among the oldest pyramids in Egypt, was designed and built by Imhotep, who was the pharoe's architect. The 'step pyramid' style predates the more famous smooth-sided pyramids found in Giza. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Saqqara pyramid pyramids step steps pharoah pharoahs Zoser Dozer Doser Djoser 'step pyramid' Imhotep tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity audience tomb tombs
  • The three most famous pyramids at Giza are seen in a line, overlooking Cairo in the background. To the left is the Great Pyramid of Cheops, in the center is the Pyramid of Chephren, and the smallest pyramid to the right is the Pyramid of Mycerinus. A queen's pyramid is visible to the far right. The pyramids and Giza stand on the west bank of the Nile, which was historically the side occuped by the dead. Cairo is in the East -- the bank of life. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Giza pyramid pyramids Sphinx Cheops 'Great Pyramid' 'Great Pyramid of Cheops' Chephren 'Pyramid of Chephren' Mycerinus 'Pyramid of Mycerinus' queen queens 'Queen's Pyramids' 'Queens Pyramids' tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity tomb tombs
  • The Sphinx and remains of the valley temples stand before the Pyramid of Chephren, to which they are linked by a causeway (visible to the left of the Sphinx). Giza, outside Cairo, Egypt. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Cairo Giza pyramid pyramids Sphinx Cheops Mycerinus Chephren temple 'valley temple' 'Great Pyramid' 'Great Pyramid of Cheops' Chephren 'Pyramid of Chephren' Mycerinus 'Pyramid of Mycerinus' queen queens 'Queen's Pyramids' 'Queens Pyramids' tourist tourism history historic antiquities 'ancient Egypt' ancient antiquity tomb tombs
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. The remains of an earthen ramp used to build this wall still leans against the back of the first (outer) pylon at the great Temple of Amun (or Amon) in Karnak. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. The last in a row of columns, next to the unfinished first (outer) pylon, reveals that the last pharoah's improvements to the great Temple of Amun (or Amon) in Karnak were never actually finished. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. The columns and even parts of the upper windows still stand in the Great Hypostyle Hall, at the great Temple of Amun (or Amon) in Karnak. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Hypostyle 'hypostyle hall' Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. Hatshepsut's obelisk stands behind walls, between the fourth and fifth pylons at the great Temple of Amun (or Amon) in Karnak. Hatshepsut's obelisks posed a dilemma in this sacred precinct. Later pharoahs sought to eliminate all traces of Hatshepsut, but these obelisks could not be removed since they were dedicated to the supreme god. The problem was solved by hiding them behind newer walls, thus hiding them from worshippers' sight without defiling them. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Hatshepsut obelisk Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. Shrine to Sekhmet, Temple of Ptah. Sekhmet the powerful was the Egyptian goddess of war. The small shrine is found several hundred yards from the main temple, across open ground at the side wall of the temple. Given a little bakshish, the caretaker will admit visitors and then go open the roof opening to admit a single beam of sunlight, lighting the black statue. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Sekhmet shrine Ptah statue black sunbeam Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. Statue of Sekhmet, Temple of Ptah. Sekhmet the powerful was the Egyptian goddess of war. The small shrine is found several hundred yards from the main temple, across open ground at the side wall of the temple. Given a little bakshish, the caretaker will admit visitors and then go open the roof opening to admit a single beam of sunlight, lighting the black statue. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Sekhmet shrine Ptah statue black sunbeam Thebes Theban Thebian
  • Karnak, outside Luxor, Egypt. The main Temple of Amon (or Amun) from the temple of Ptah, at the side wall of the temple complex. The home of Amon (the Sun God), Karnak was the center of Egyptian spiritual life during the middle and late kingdoms. It was continuously being improved by successive pharoahs over a period of about 1300 years. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Sekhmet shrine Ptah Thebes Theban Thebian
  • The "front" entrance to Luxor Temple, Egypt. Dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun-Min, Mut, and Konsu, Luxor Temple stands in the center of town. The statues are of Ramses II, to whom the first court in the temple is dedicated. There were originally two obelisks here -- the second was removed and now stands at the Louvre in Paris. Originally joined by a road to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu obelisk pylon wall Ramses 'Ramses II' statue colossus colossi
  • The "front" entrance to Luxor Temple, Egypt. Dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun-Min, Mut, and Konsu, Luxor Temple stands in the center of town. The entrance is guarded by enormous statues (colossi) of Ramses II, to whom the first court in the temple is dedicated. There were originally two obelisks here -- the second was removed and now stands at the Louvre in Paris. Originally joined by a road to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu obelisk pylon wall Ramses 'Ramses II' statue colossus colossi
  • Luxor Temple, Egypt. Carvings and heiroglyphs commemorate Alexander the Great's relationship with god-king Amon and ascention to become pharoah. Alexander positioned himself as Pharoah in order to better rule his conquered kingdom, ancient Egypt. Originally joined by a road to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu carving heirglyphics heiroglyph Alexander 'Alexander the Great'
  • Luxor Temple, Egypt. The shrine to the barque (boat) of Amon (Amun). Originally joined by both a road and the River Nile to the Temple of Amon at Karnak, Luxor was temple was considered the "harem of the south," the home of Amon's wife Mut and son Khonsu. Once a year, a ceremonial procession took the statue of Amon from Karnak to spend the night with his family at Luxor. The procession usually journeyed by boat to Luxor, then returned by road. © Rick Collier<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Egypt Egyptian Karnak Luxor Amon Amun tourist tourism history historic antiquity antiquities ruins temple tomb pylon wall column pillar ramp ancient 'ancient Egypt' Thebes Theban Thebian Mut Konsu Amun-Min Khonsu carving heirglyphics heiroglyph shrine boat barque 'Amon's Barque' 'Barque of Amon'
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