Blessed Lands Egypt - The year is now, but things are very different. Ancient Egypt never became ancient. Libyans, Nubians, and Assyrians never invaded. The Thirtieth Dynasty repelled the Persians in 343 BC. and Egypt entered a long period of expansion. Syria, Greece and all of Africa conquered. Rome fell before it truly began. Most of Europe and Parts of Asia were absorbed. Egypt became the dominant country from the 18th through the 20th century. The Blessed Lands embraced peace after a long bloody war with the Cursed Lands across the Atlantic Ocean. Life for most Egyptians was good. Priest Honute was one of them. With a beautiful intelligent wife, a wonderful job and the horrible war behind him, Honute could finally enjoy his life. That is until his wife asked for a divorce.

In 1838, Scottish painter David Roberts (1796-1864) embarked on a three-year journey that would shape Europe's perception of the Middle East. Nurtured on Bible stories and tales of the exotic Orient, Roberts had always dreamed of exploring the Holy Land, though travel there was an arduous, dangerous undertaking. While he set himself the goal of bringing home an accurate visual record, he returned with a portfolio of hand-tinted lithographs that lost nothing of romanticism. His use of light, color, and atmosphere lent an aura of exoticism to his realistic view.

Book Excerpt: ice. It appeared he owed the gentleman 1300 florins, and had wished to abscond, but was luckily overtaken before the departure of the boat. This affair was hardly concluded when the bell rang, the wheels began to revolve, and too soon, alas, my dear ones were out of sight!I had but few fellow-passengers. The weather was indeed fine and mild; but the season was not far enough advanced to lure travellers into the wide world, excepting men of business, and those who had cosmopolitan ideas, like myself. Most of those on board were going only to Presburg, or at farthest to Pesth. The captain having mentioned that a woman was on board who intended travelling to Constantinople, I was immediately surrounded by curious gazers. A gentleman who was bound to the same port stepped forward, and offered his services in case I should ever stand in need of them; he afterwards frequently took me under his protection.The fine mild weather changed to cold and wind as we got fairly out into the great Danube. I wraRead More

This text explains the cultural and historical background to the fascinating and complex world of Egyptian myth, with each chapter dealing with a particular theme.