ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Secrets Did the Romans Know About the Pyramids
In 357 AD, a remarkable event unfolded in the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantius managed to transport a gigantic obelisk from Egypt, a feat that showcased both divine authority and the empire’s ambition. This obelisk, standing 105 feet tall and weighing over 900,000 pounds, was moved across the Mediterranean Sea to Rome. The journey required extraordinary engineering, including a specially designed barge to carry it. Once in Italy, it was transported up the Tiber River, a task that involved thousands of laborers using ropes and pulleys to maneuver it through the streets of Rome. Finally, it was erected in the Circus Maximus as a symbol of imperial power.
As the obelisk was raised, Romans gathered to examine the mysterious hieroglyphics inscribed on its sides. These inscriptions told the story of Ramses, a figure largely unknown to the Romans. Like the Greeks before them, the Romans had limited knowledge of history beyond their own. They traced their origins back over eleven centuries and knew of events like the Trojan War, which they believed happened four centuries before Rome’s founding. However, much of the history before Troy was wrapped in myths and legends.
The obelisk marked a turning point, as Romans began traveling to Egypt to explore its wonders and uncover its secrets. They were aware of their Greek heritage and recognized the ruins left by ancient civilizations throughout the Mediterranean. These ruins, including those in Greece, were seen as important relics of history and mythology. The massive stone walls of Greece were so impressive that they were attributed to mythical creatures like the Cyclops.
Despite their fascination with the past, Romans often encountered artifacts they couldn’t understand. One notable discovery was made in the 4th century BC when Spartan King Aesus found a grave believed to belong to Alcmene, the mother of Hercules. Inside was a bronze tablet with mysterious characters that even Greek scholars couldn’t decipher. The tablet was sent to Egypt for interpretation, but Egyptian scholars were also unable to understand it, as it belonged to a lost civilization.
The Greek and Roman interest in Egypt dates back to the 7th century BC when Greek traders and soldiers first ventured up the Nile River. They were drawn to Egypt’s rich resources and unique culture, leading to ongoing cultural exchanges. Greek merchants established trading posts along the Nile Delta, and this connection lasted for a millennium.
Alexander the Great’s conquest of Egypt in 332 BC marked a significant shift, leading to three centuries of Greek rule under the Ptolemaic dynasty. Greek became Egypt’s second official language, and Greek and Egyptian customs blended. The Great Library of Alexandria emerged as a symbol of this cultural fusion, housing both Greek philosophical texts and Egyptian astronomical manuscripts.
In 30 BC, Augustus officially annexed Egypt, following the dramatic events involving Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This sparked a surge of interest in Egypt within Rome, with obelisks being transported to the empire and erected in public squares. Wealthy Romans decorated their homes with Egyptian imagery and even built pyramid-shaped tombs, though not as grand as Egypt’s original pyramids.
The Pyramids of Giza, standing for centuries, captivated those who saw them. By the time the Romans arrived, these structures had been standing for a thousand years. Roman tourists, among the earliest in history, flocked to see them. Leisure time was becoming popular among the Roman elite, who valued activities like relaxation, contemplation, and travel. Many paid locals to help them climb the massive structures, leaving behind ancient graffiti etched into the stone.
Both Greeks and Romans recognized the pyramids as burial places for pharaohs, but dating them accurately was challenging. Historians like Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus attempted to date them but were often off by thousands of years. Herodotus estimated that the first pharaohs ruled around 15,000 BC, while Diodorus suggested an even earlier date. However, when it came to dating the pyramids themselves, they underestimated their age, with Herodotus suggesting they were built around 1200 BC.
These misconceptions arose from a breakdown in cultural transmission over the ages. Although Greek became widely spoken after Alexander’s conquest, only a small group of Egyptian priests retained the knowledge to read ancient texts. Over time, this specialized knowledge dwindled, and by the end of the 4th century BC, most Egyptians could no longer understand the inscriptions on their own monuments. Much of Egypt’s history relied on oral traditions and external sources, often incomplete or incorrect.
In the 3rd century BC, an Egyptian priest named Manetho wrote a detailed account of Egypt in Greek, linking the country’s ancient past to the present-day Greek-speaking world. His work, “Egyptica,” provided a more accurate account of Egypt’s dynasties and a better estimate of the pyramids’ ages. However, instead of relying on Manetho’s work, the Greeks turned to Herodotus and his Roman successors, leading to further misunderstandings and mysteries surrounding the pyramids.
Speculation about the pyramids ran wild, with ancient historians like Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Herodotus, and Diodorus writing extensively about Egypt’s monumental structures. Their accounts reflected a blend of awe, curiosity, and speculation about the mysteries surrounding these wonders. Pliny highlighted the immense scale and precision of the pyramids, noting the massive labor force required for their construction. He recorded local legends, including the belief that the Sphinx was hollow and contained the tomb of a lost king.
Strabo provided detailed descriptions of the pyramids, emphasizing their architectural precision and alignment with celestial bodies. While he did not explicitly discuss their religious significance, he noted the mystery and awe they inspired, suggesting a deeper purpose beyond mere tombs. Herodotus and Diodorus added to the intrigue with their accounts of Egypt’s wonders, recounting tales of hidden chambers and elaborate burial complexes, fueling speculation about the secrets the pyramids might hold.
The legends and controversies surrounding these accounts reflect the enduring allure of ancient Egypt’s monuments and the persistent curiosity they inspired among classical historians.
Research the engineering techniques used by the Romans to transport the obelisk from Egypt to Rome. Create a presentation that explains these methods, including the design of the barge and the use of ropes and pulleys. Share your findings with the class, highlighting the challenges and solutions the Romans employed.
Explore the world of hieroglyphics by attempting to decode a set of simple hieroglyphic inscriptions. Use online resources or library books to understand the basics of hieroglyphic writing. Create your own message using hieroglyphics and exchange it with a classmate to decode.
Participate in a class debate about the Greek and Roman interpretations of Egyptian culture and history. Divide into two groups, with one representing Greek perspectives and the other Roman. Discuss the accuracy and impact of their interpretations on our understanding of ancient Egypt.
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a Roman tourist visiting the Pyramids of Giza. Describe your experiences, the sights you see, and your thoughts on the mysteries and legends surrounding the pyramids. Use historical context to make your entry authentic and engaging.
Create a timeline that includes significant events in Egyptian and Roman history, focusing on their interactions and cultural exchanges. Highlight key moments such as Alexander’s conquest, the annexation of Egypt by Rome, and the transportation of obelisks. Present your timeline to the class, explaining the historical significance of each event.
In 357 AD, a grand spectacle took place in the heart of the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantius transported a massive obelisk from one of Egypt’s renowned temples. It stood 105 feet tall and weighed over 900,000 pounds, symbolizing divine authority and imperial ambition. Moving it from Egypt to Rome across the Mediterranean required impressive engineering. A custom barge was built to float the obelisk over, and after reaching Italy, it was transported up the Tiber River, a journey filled with logistical challenges. Thousands of laborers pulled it through the streets of Rome using ropes and pulleys, finally placing it in the Circus Maximus as part of a celebration of imperial power.
As the obelisk was raised, citizens gathered to see the inscriptions on its sides—cryptic hieroglyphics that told the story of a figure named Ramses, though the Romans had little understanding of who he was or when he lived. Like the Greeks before them, the Romans had a limited knowledge of history beyond their own. They traced the foundation of Rome to over eleven centuries prior and were familiar with events like the Trojan War, which they believed occurred four centuries before Rome’s founding. However, much of the history before Troy was shrouded in myths and legends.
This obelisk marked a turning point, as Romans became some of the first tourists in history, traveling to Egypt to see its wonders and uncover its secrets. The Romans were also aware of their Greek heritage and were familiar with the ruins left by ancient civilizations throughout the Mediterranean. They recognized these ruins as important relics representing centuries of history and mythology. Among these were the ruins of Greece, whose massive stone walls were so impressive that they were attributed to mythical creatures like the Cyclops.
The Romans were fascinated by their past and the people who lived on the same land they inhabited. However, they often encountered artifacts and ruins they couldn’t understand. One notable find occurred in the 4th century BC when Spartan King Aesus discovered a grave believed to belong to Alcmene, the mother of Hercules. Inside the grave was a bronze tablet covered with enigmatic characters that even seasoned Greek scholars couldn’t decipher. The Spartan King sent it to Egypt, hoping scholars there could interpret it, but they too were unable to understand the characters, which belonged to a mysterious people lost to history.
The Greek and Roman fascination with Egypt dates back to the 7th century BC when Greek traders and soldiers first ventured up the Nile River in search of wealth. They were drawn to Egypt’s rich resources and distinct culture. These early encounters led to ongoing cultural interactions between Greeks and Egyptians, with Greek merchants establishing trading posts along the Nile Delta. This connection persisted for the next millennium.
Alexander’s conquest of Egypt in 332 BC marked a significant turning point, ushering in three centuries of Greek administration under the Ptolemaic dynasty. During this time, Greek became Egypt’s second official language, spoken by those in power. Greek and Egyptian customs blended, and the Great Library of Alexandria emerged as a symbol of this fusion, housing both Greek philosophical texts and Egyptian astronomical manuscripts.
In 30 BC, Augustus officially annexed Egypt, following the drama surrounding Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This event sparked a surge of interest in Egypt in Rome, with obelisks flooding into the empire and being erected in public squares. Wealthy Romans adorned their homes with frescoes of the Nile and other Egyptian imagery, even constructing pyramid-shaped tombs, albeit not to the grandeur of Egypt’s most impressive architectural achievements.
The Pyramids of Giza, standing for centuries, captivated the imaginations of those who saw them. By the time the Romans arrived, these structures had been standing for a thousand years. Roman tourists, perhaps some of the earliest tourists in history, flocked to see them. The concept of leisure time was becoming popular among the Roman elite, who valued activities like relaxation, contemplation, and travel. Many paid locals to help them scale the massive structures, leaving behind ancient graffiti etched into the stone.
Both the Greeks and Romans recognized the pyramids as burial places for pharaohs, but establishing their actual age proved challenging. Historians like Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus made attempts to date them but were often off by thousands of years. Herodotus estimated that the first pharaohs ruled around 15,000 BC, while Diodorus pushed that date back even further. However, when it came to dating the pyramids themselves, these historians often underestimated their age, with Herodotus suggesting they were built around 1200 BC, and Diodorus even younger.
These misconceptions stemmed from a long process of cultural transmission that had broken down over the ages. Although Greek became a commonly spoken language after Alexander’s conquest, only a small group of Egyptian priests retained the knowledge to read and interpret ancient texts. Over time, this specialized knowledge dwindled, and by the end of the 4th century BC, most Egyptians could no longer understand the inscriptions on their own monuments. Much of Egypt’s rich history relied on oral traditions and external sources, often incomplete or incorrect.
In the 3rd century BC, an Egyptian priest named Manetho wrote a detailed account of Egypt in Greek, linking the country’s ancient past to the present-day Greek-speaking world. His work, titled “Egyptica,” provided a more accurate account of the dynasties that ruled Egypt and a better estimate of the ages of the pyramids. However, instead of heeding Manetho’s work, the Greeks turned to Herodotus and his Roman successors, leading to further misunderstandings and mysteries surrounding the pyramids.
Speculation about the pyramids ran wild, with ancient historians like Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Herodotus, and Diodorus writing extensively about Egypt’s monumental structures. Their accounts reflected a blend of awe, curiosity, and speculation about the mysteries surrounding these wonders. Pliny highlighted the immense scale and precision of the pyramids, noting the massive labor force required for their construction. He recorded local legends, including the belief that the Sphinx was hollow and contained the tomb of a lost king.
Strabo provided detailed descriptions of the pyramids, emphasizing their architectural precision and alignment with celestial bodies. While he did not explicitly discuss their religious significance, he noted the mystery and awe they inspired, suggesting a deeper purpose beyond mere tombs. Herodotus and Diodorus added to the intrigue with their accounts of Egypt’s wonders, recounting tales of hidden chambers and elaborate burial complexes, fueling speculation about the secrets the pyramids might hold.
The legends and controversies surrounding these accounts reflect the enduring allure of ancient Egypt’s monuments and the persistent curiosity they inspired among classical historians.
Pyramids – Massive monumental structures with a square or triangular base and sloping sides that meet in a point at the top, commonly associated with ancient Egypt as tombs for pharaohs. – The pyramids of Giza are among the most iconic and enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa known for its ancient civilization and some of the world’s most famous monuments, including the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. – Egypt’s rich history and archaeological sites continue to attract scholars and tourists from around the globe.
Romans – The people of ancient Rome, known for their significant contributions to law, engineering, and architecture, as well as their vast empire. – The Romans constructed an extensive network of roads that facilitated trade and military expansion across their empire.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often involving the analysis of written records and artifacts. – Understanding history allows us to learn from past societies and their successes and failures.
Hieroglyphics – A system of writing using symbols or pictures used in ancient Egypt, primarily for religious texts and monumental inscriptions. – The Rosetta Stone was crucial in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, unlocking a wealth of historical knowledge.
Culture – The social behavior, norms, and practices that define a society or group, often reflected in art, religion, and daily life. – The culture of ancient Greece has had a profound influence on Western civilization, particularly in philosophy and the arts.
Archaeology – The scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains. – Archaeology has provided invaluable insights into the daily lives of ancient peoples through the discovery of tools, pottery, and ruins.
Mythology – A collection of myths, especially those belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, often explaining natural phenomena or cultural practices. – Greek mythology is rich with tales of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures that have captivated audiences for centuries.
Artifacts – Objects made or used by humans, typically of historical or cultural interest, that provide insight into past societies. – The discovery of ancient artifacts in the tombs of pharaohs has shed light on the burial practices and beliefs of ancient Egyptians.
Speculation – The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence, often used in historical contexts to hypothesize about past events or cultures. – While there is much speculation about the purpose of Stonehenge, its exact function remains a mystery to historians and archaeologists.
