Legendary Culture

Ancient Egypt is legendary for its magnificent wonders. The Ancient Egyptians constructed marvelous stone monuments called pyramids. The Giza Pyramids were one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. These pyramids where erected to protect the mummified bodies of kings and pharaohs. Some people calculate it took 20 years and 100,000 men to skillfully build just one colossal pyramid. Amazingly workers used simple tools such as sledgehammers, ropes, and levers. Fashioned into the pyramids were hidden doorways, dead ends, false chambers, and curses on the walls. Hopefully to keep out robbers. Sadly they were still raided but some dazzling treasures remain. These ancient pyramids are monuments to the Egyptian culture.

Mentioned in ancient myths is a fanciful, monument called a sphinx. Skillfully built by Ancient Egyptians. Its body resembles a lion while its head resembles a man, falcon, or ram. A sphinx, which is a symbol of power, was constructed to honor kings or pharaohs. The Great Sphinx near Giza was fashioned in remembrance of King Khafre. Artfully the body was carefully carved from solid rock. Over the years the harsh desert weather has eroded the ancient sphinx. It has been buried in sand and dug out at least 4 times. Presently this 4,000-year-old, fanciful sphinx still remains.

When a King or Pharaoh died in Ancient Egypt their body was mummified. The Ancient Egyptians believed the body would be needed in the afterlife. Patiently the Egyptians would work on the body for 70 days. During this time the organs would be extracted and placed in a jar. The Egyptians would always cast out the brain because they did not know what it was for. However they kept the heart. When finished they would adorn the mummy with a mask. When the Egyptians completed the mummy they would encase it in an impressive coffin. The family then placed the coffin in a mysterious tomb with treasure. There are still some extremely well preserved Egyptian mummies today. The pyramids, The Great Sphinx, and the mummies have made Ancient Egypt legendary.

Gilgamesh and the Plant of Life

When Gilgamesh was King of Urek he went on a quest to search out how to live forever. Through the Colossal Mountains and scorching deserts he traveled. Eventually the King heard word of a plant of life in the Vast Sea. The serpentine current of the Euphrates River would rush him there. He tied heavy rocks to his ankles. Then Gilgamesh jumped in. The serpentine current carried him to the Vast Sea and he saw a glowing plant in the distance. The brave King knew he had one chance to grab it. As he rushed by he caught hold of the prickly plant and refused to let go of it. Finally Gilgamesh cuts the rocks from his ankles and swims to the surface. Gilgamesh had captured the plant of life

Sumerian Culture Revealed

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a recorded fictional story from Sumerian times. It was written 5,000 years ago on stone tablets. In a Sumerian city called Urek Gilgamesh was the King. He was not kind. The Epic of Gilgamesh is filled with adventures and crafty creatures. Signifigantly, the tale recounts stories of the Bible. For instance a great flood, which destroys the earth, is mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh. A serpent stealing eternal life from man is also depicted. Apparently word of the real stories spread around the Ancient World. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written by the Sumerians and reveals their culture.

The Ancient World


Mesopotamia, with two radiant rivers
And zigzagging ziggurats

Egypt, with friendly pharaohs
And inspiring pyramids

Israel, with God’s kind law
And the Holy temple

Babylon, with the brilliant Ishtar Gate
And the colorful Hanging Gardens

Greece, with evil gods
And terrific athletes

Rome, with extraordinary emperors
And great armies

The Ancient World,
Inspiring, remarkable, and brilliant.