Egyptomaniacs: How We Became Obsessed with Ancient Epypt
Aug 2020 · Pen and Sword History
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224
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About this ebook
An examination of the popular view of ancient Egypt as an exotic, esoteric, and mystical culture that questions if that view is entirely accurate.
The Greek historian Hecataeus of Abdera declared during the 4th century BCE that the Egyptian civilization was unsurpassed in the arts and in good governance, surpassing even that of the Greeks. During the Renaissance, several ecclesiastical nobles, including the Borgia Pope Alexander VI claimed their descent from the Egyptian god Osiris. In the 1920s, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings prompted one of the first true media frenzies in history. For thousands of years, the Pharaonic culture has been a source of almost endless fascination and obsession. But to what extent is the popular view of ancient Egypt at all accurate?
In Egyptomaniacs: How We Became Obsessed With Ancient Egypt, Egyptologist Dr. Nicky Nielsen examines the popular view of Egypt as an exotic, esoteric, mystical culture obsessed with death and overflowing with mummies and pyramids. The book traces our obsession with ancient Egypt throughout history and methodically investigates, explains and strips away some of the most popular misconceptions about the Pharaohs and their civilization.
Praise for Egyptomaniacs
“I have always been attracted to and fascinated by Ancient Egypt. In this superb book, Nicky Nielsen explains why we are so caught up in what happened in Ancient Egypt.” —Books Monthly (UK)
The Greek historian Hecataeus of Abdera declared during the 4th century BCE that the Egyptian civilization was unsurpassed in the arts and in good governance, surpassing even that of the Greeks. During the Renaissance, several ecclesiastical nobles, including the Borgia Pope Alexander VI claimed their descent from the Egyptian god Osiris. In the 1920s, the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings prompted one of the first true media frenzies in history. For thousands of years, the Pharaonic culture has been a source of almost endless fascination and obsession. But to what extent is the popular view of ancient Egypt at all accurate?
In Egyptomaniacs: How We Became Obsessed With Ancient Egypt, Egyptologist Dr. Nicky Nielsen examines the popular view of Egypt as an exotic, esoteric, mystical culture obsessed with death and overflowing with mummies and pyramids. The book traces our obsession with ancient Egypt throughout history and methodically investigates, explains and strips away some of the most popular misconceptions about the Pharaohs and their civilization.
Praise for Egyptomaniacs
“I have always been attracted to and fascinated by Ancient Egypt. In this superb book, Nicky Nielsen explains why we are so caught up in what happened in Ancient Egypt.” —Books Monthly (UK)
About the author
Dr Nicky Nielsen obtained a BA in Egyptian Archaeology before progressing to his Masters and PhD in Egyptology at Liverpool University. He is now a Lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Manchester, as well as Honorary Fellow at the University of Liverpool and Field Director of the Tell Nabasha archaeological excavation in northeastern Egypt. He has published a number of academic papers as well as articles in popular magazines in the UK, USA and his native Denmark, on topics spanning Egyptology, Roman history, British naval history and Viking culture.
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