Egypt
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Peace Treaty of Kadesh
Egypt and the Hittites had been warring over the area around Kadesh for years. The last major battle was in 1274 BCE and Pharaoh Ramesses II and Hittite emperor Muwatallis fought to a draw. Both sides sustained heavy losses, but neither side could claim total victory. However, both sides did claim victory in their various propaganda. There were skirmishes south by the Hittites against the Egyptians over the next fifteen years, but neither side gained a distinct advantage. These were finally decided by a treaty signed by both Ramesses II and Hattusili III, the new king of the Hittites. Historians place the signing of the treaty around 1259 BCE. This…
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Cleopatra Selene II
The affair between Cleopatra and Marc Antony was one of the biggest scandals of the ancient world. Reports of how Antony had given up Roman ways for the decadent East was the talk of Rome. Eventually, in 40 BCE, Antony went back to Rome to marry Octavia and try to forge a peace with her brother, Octavian. What he didn’t know was he left Cleopatra pregnant. Later that year, the twins were born- Alexander Helios (Sun) and Cleopatra Selene (Moon) Antony did not acknowledge his children until he met with Cleopatra in Antioch three years later. The family then returned to Egypt much to Octavian’s chagrin. A year later, Ptolemy…
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Caesarion- The Poison of What If
The son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII Philopater is one of the most tantalizing what ifs in history. If he inherited a fraction of the good qualities from his famous parents, he would have been a force to reckon with in the ancient world and a thorn in Augustus Caesar's side. However, his potential remains a question mark because to paraphrase George R R Martin, when you play the game of thrones, you win or die.Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar was born to Cleopatra VII Philopater du [...]
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Egyptian Goddess Hathor
She was one of the most important Ancient Egyptian goddess. She was known as “the Great One of Many Names”. Her name means “mansion of Horus”. Her parents were Neith and Khnum or Ra. She is at times the mother, daughter and wife of Ra and, like Isis, is at times described as the mother of Horus, and associated with Bast. She was not exclusively worshipped by women and unlike the other gods and goddesses she had both male and female priests. Also, she was worshiped by royalty and common people alike in whose tombs she is depicted as “Mistress of the West” welcoming the dead into the next life.…
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Hatshepsut- His Majesty, Herself
Long before the time of Cleopatra, there was another woman who ruled with absolute power along the Nile. Unfortunately, because of reasons unknown, her legacy was hidden until the 19th century. Hatshepsut was born at the beginning of the New Kingdom around 1504 BCE. Although women were granted a higher status in Egypt than in other ancient civilizations, the idea of a female Pharaoh was unheard of so Hatshepsut was not trained to rule. Her father, Ahmose I, was a great military leader and brought home a Nubian chieftain on the prow of his ship as a warning to his enemies. Since the throne of Egypt could not pass to…
