Using subtle means of political power and economic control, a foreign power known as the "Rulers of the Upland" has taken over Egypt to plunder its riches and eradicate its religion and culture. In "The Hippopotamus Marsh", the stunning first volume of Pauline Gedge's Lords of the Two Lands trilogy, the family of the last true King of Egypt chose to end 200 years of submission to King Apepa, and attempted to resurrect a dynasty, Seqenenra Tao began a courageous and tragic revolt that almost led to the destruction of his family. In this thrilling second volume, Seqenenra's surviving son Kamose refuses an inheritance of failure, and chooses instead to continue his father's fight for the freedom of Egypt and his family. He begins his desperate sweep north, collecting fighting men from the loyal towns and villages he passes. Will his savage brilliance bring him victory or defeat? And will his acts redeem him or drive him to the brink of madness?

Ancient Egypt is an occupied land, a nation usurped by foreigners called the Setiu, better known to history as the Hyksos, who have gradually taken over a weakened government in a bloodless invasion through commerce and political power. Controlling the country for over two hundred years through a superior military force, the Setiu Kings plunder the land and slowly subvert its religion and culture. Finally one family of the true Egyptian blood is prepared to make a stand to claim back the authority which is rightfully theirs. Seqenenra Tao, Prince of Weset, can trace his descent back to the last rightful King of Egypt. When his family's lands, their people and their very lives are threatened by the Setiu King Apepa, Seqenenra is forced to make a choice between persecution and submission or a rebellion that will change the history of Egypt forever.

For over a century our knowledge of Egypt’s Western Desert during the Third Intermediate Period relied almost entirely on the Greater and Smaller Dakhleh Stelae. These two significant documents were purchased by Henry Lyons in 1894 in Dakhleh Oasis and indicated the existence of a substantial temple at Mut al-Kharab dedicated to the god Seth. Apart from these sources, very little information from the Western Desert could be dated to this period. Excavations at Mut al-Kharab began in 2000 and in recent years, evidence from the Third Intermediate Period temple has grown considerably. A range of artefacts has been unearthed, including decorated temple blocks, stelae, ostraka, in situ architectural remains, other small finds, and a large collection of well-dated ceramics. The scale of evidence suggests Mut al-Kharab was probably the most significant Third Intermediate Period site in the Western Desert. In light of this new material, a re-examination of activity in the Western Desert during this period has been possible. This volume presents all the available evidence relating to the western oases during the Third Intermediate Period, with a particular focus on the ceramics. Occupation appears to have been more widespread than the limited evidence previously suggested, and these oasis communities were closely connected to the populations in the Nile Valley. The Egyptian central administration continued to be interested in the Western Desert, although political control does not seem to have been consistent. Moreover, subtle yet distinct variations in the material record, including aspects of pottery traditions and religious practices, may reveal the existence of an oasis culture. As such, we are developing a much clearer picture of activity in this region.

The most famous Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt was arguably one of the last kings of km.t Egypt. He bears a name known to every child. Under Pharaoh Alexander, Egypt reached its widest extension and was afforded more protection than ever before. His Golden Horus name characterises Alexander as the ruler of all the sun encircles and the strong bull who protects Egypt. Alexander the Great gave birth to a new Dynasty, the 32nd of Ancient Egypt. Alexandria, the leading city of the known world in the 3rd and 2nd century BC, was founded. But what remains of Pharaoh Alexander? Where is his tomb? Where is his sarcophagus? Where is his mummy? The key to the answers is reusing. We recycle paper. We reuse iron. In the 17th century Spaniards recycled Inca-gold. In the late 4th century, Christians repurposed Pagan temples. Why should Phoenicians, Macedonians, and Egyptians not have reused the outstanding artefacts of Alexander the Great? Historical, archaeological, and artistic evidence is presented for two of the most intriguing artefacts of Alexander the Great. Both are still readily accessible and can be admired by any traveller. Both artefacts were reused in the late 4th respectively in the mid-3rd century BC. This reuse fogged their identification and led to misinterpretations. One artefact of the greatest conqueror of the Ancient World was discovered more than 130 years ago, the other has been known of for more than 50 years. In both cases, layers of accretions obscured the identity of their owner. Even worse, renowned scholars attribute these artefacts to the person who reused them. These artefacts are: Alexander's monumental Tomb and his unparalleled Sarcophagus. It will be further revealed that Alexander was subsequently entombed at three Egyptian localities and that his body rested in two further sarcophagi. Some scholars suggest that also the third, and most personal artefact of Alexander the Great, was reused in the 4th century AD, namely his mummified Body. Does archaeological or historical evidence support the veneration of Alexanders mummy as Saint Mark in Venice or near Alexander's Temple in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt? Or, is Alexander's body still in existence under the Alabaster Tomb or in the Soma of Alexandria? A testimony to this last question is available in written form for more than 1600 years but was overlooked. Thereby, the identity of the builder of "Alexander's" Temple at Bahariya Oasis and the identity of "Saint Mark" at Venice will be revealed.

With volume 4 of Ancient Records of Egypt, James Henry Breasted brings us to the end of the self-governed era of ancient Egyptian civilization. Chief among the documents contained in this volume are the inscriptions from the Medinet Habu Temple, one of the most completely preserved temples of Egypt, and the great Papyrus Harris, the largest (133 feet long) and most sumptuous papyrus extant, 95 percent of which Breasted was the first to study closely. Together these documents present a detailed record of the reign and benefactions of Ramesses III, whose reign lasted more than thirty years. Volume 4 includes intriguing records of the harem conspiracy and legal documents that indicate the extent of robberies of royal tombs. Records of the Nile levels at Karnak provide important chronological landmarks, while the Stela of Piye (Piankhi), which documents the Nubian kingdom already in existence as a full-fledged power, provides information on the internal political climate of Egypt during a time when no aggressive monarch controlled the whole country. Breasted also notes where these ancient Egyptian records intersect with accounts of the same events from other sources, such as the mutiny of Psamtik I's troops as inscribed on the alabaster statue of Nesuhor and as narrated by Herodotus. In effect, Ancient Records of Egypt offers a valuable dual record. On the one hand, Breasted presents the events and personages of ancient Egypt as recorded in the documents. On the other hand, he presents a history of the documents themselves. Fragmentary or partially destroyed, carved on temple and tomb walls or written on fragile scrolls of leather or papyrus, even inscribed on the coffins and temple linens of the royal and priestly mummy wrappings, these records offer an irreplaceable primary source on a fascinating civilization.

An excellent gift idea for students ages 18-24, this full-color Bible includes more than 500 photos, 200 maps and many study tools including topical quotes, factoids, and quick commentary on key persons, places, and things.

Hackett's Passages: Key Moments in History series titles include original-source documents in accessible editions, intended for the student-user or general audience. This edition, The Greco-Persian Wars, taps our knowledge of the Persian Empire and its interactions with the Greek world. The sources examined were created in different times and places, for different purposes, and with different intended audiences. Using these sources effectively requires recognizing their distinct characteristics. A general introduction about the Greco-Persian wars is included to provide historical background and an overview of the information contained in the original-source documents. Also included are a glossary of terms, a chronology, insightful headnotes to each document, and an index.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Magisterial . . . [A] rich portrait of ancient Egypt’s complex evolution over the course of three millenniums.”—Los Angeles Times NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • Publishers Weekly In this landmark volume, one of the world’s most renowned Egyptologists tells the epic story of this great civilization, from its birth as the first nation-state to its absorption into the Roman Empire. Drawing upon forty years of archaeological research, award-winning scholar Toby Wilkinson takes us inside a tribal society with a pre-monetary economy and decadent, divine kings who ruled with all-too-recognizable human emotions. Here are the legendary leaders: Akhenaten, the “heretic king,” who with his wife Nefertiti brought about a revolution with a bold new religion; Tutankhamun, whose dazzling tomb would remain hidden for three millennia; and eleven pharaohs called Ramesses, the last of whom presided over the militarism, lawlessness, and corruption that caused a political and societal decline. Filled with new information and unique interpretations, The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt is a riveting and revelatory work of wild drama, bold spectacle, unforgettable characters, and sweeping history. “With a literary flair and a sense for a story well told, Mr. Wilkinson offers a highly readable, factually up-to-date account.”—The Wall Street Journal “[Wilkinson] writes with considerable verve. . . . [He] is nimble at conveying the sumptuous pageantry and cultural sophistication of pharaonic Egypt.”—The New York Times

Depicts 30 great empires of the world from 2600 B.C. to the 20th century in images and maps that show the territories held by each ruler, major trade routes, paths of military campaigns and other important landmarks.