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Nigel 1st edit/1 print Thebes in Egypt A Guide to the Tombs and Temples of Ancient Luxor 1999 [Paperback] Nigel and Helen Strudwick [Paperback] Nigel and Helen Strudwick
This rare and vintage book is a perfect addition to any bibliophile's collection
Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2024
chronicle of all that is known about the built and excavated tombs, including timelines and occupants. The second would be people who were about to tour Thebes and wanted a scholarly guidebook to escort them. I fit in neither category so found the book a little overwhelming at times. But that is my fault, not the authors’.
The book focuses on the major Theban temples, and the Valley of the Kings burials, as well as Deir el-Medina workmen’s village.
It is beautifully presented with high-quality paper and many excellent drawn plans of tombs, as well as many photographs, both black-and-white and colour. There are also some superb reconstruction drawings, presumably the work of the De Garis Davies husband and wife; it would have been good to have had attributions for the illustrations. I could have hoped for more colour photographs of tomb decorations, but you cannot have everything!
There were very few editing issues, so the schoolboy error of “problems with the succession seem to have lead to a period of relative political weakness” and “Around the sanctuary he built an wall” stood out.
A fascinating point made by the authors was that the tombs and the temples were all constructed in sterile areas; since there was so little fertile land, “the Egyptians were also never ones to waste valuable agricultural land for tombs.” For me, the most interesting material related to Deir El-Medina, the village built for the tomb workmen. There is remarkable detail on this, including the level of wages (salary in grain was seven times as much as a Roman salary, and ten times as much as seventeenth century Europeans’). The workers’ working hours were meticulously audited and it is noted that there was some leniency with workmen evidently taking time off for beer-drinking parties. On at least one occasion, when the authorities were desultory in paying salaries, the workmen left their workplace and conducted a sit-down strike to achieve more prompt payment. At one stage, some of the inhabitants began building their own temples in the general burial ground, and these followed the model of the kings’ tombs they had been creating, though obviously much more modest, with a courtyard shaft dropping down to the underground burial chamber, and with a ground floor chapel, its roof rising to a pyramidal structure.
Papyri have been found testifying to a number of incidents and circumstances which provide extraordinary background to these individuals. The promotion of one worker to foreman status led to a protest from the brother of the deceased previous occupant of the position, who felt it should have passed to him. When an appeal was heard, accusations were made that bribery was involved, and it became apparent that the newly appointed man had managed to alienate many of his fellow-workers. He was replaced shortly afterwards, although not by the brother.
There is also a papyrus containing the confession of a party of tomb-robbers, detailing how they went about their business. The point is made, though, that it has now been established that numbers of tomb-clearances were carried out officially, both, it seems, to recycle the valuables, and to provide space for new burials. As far as I can see, little if any of this material is newly provided by the authors, but by adding it in to the story, they have offered a valuably comprehensive picture.
Finally, I found it very interesting that the Romans converted the Temple of Luxor into a military camp in the third century BCE, well after it had ceased to be used for religious purposes. The Romans, by and large, were much more tolerant of other religions than is often suggested, and they seem to have been more respectful of the Egyptian complex than some other religions have subsequently been.
The book focuses on the major Theban temples, and the Valley of the Kings burials, as well as Deir el-Medina workmen’s village.
It is beautifully presented with high-quality paper and many excellent drawn plans of tombs, as well as many photographs, both black-and-white and colour. There are also some superb reconstruction drawings, presumably the work of the De Garis Davies husband and wife; it would have been good to have had attributions for the illustrations. I could have hoped for more colour photographs of tomb decorations, but you cannot have everything!
There were very few editing issues, so the schoolboy error of “problems with the succession seem to have lead to a period of relative political weakness” and “Around the sanctuary he built an wall” stood out.
A fascinating point made by the authors was that the tombs and the temples were all constructed in sterile areas; since there was so little fertile land, “the Egyptians were also never ones to waste valuable agricultural land for tombs.” For me, the most interesting material related to Deir El-Medina, the village built for the tomb workmen. There is remarkable detail on this, including the level of wages (salary in grain was seven times as much as a Roman salary, and ten times as much as seventeenth century Europeans’). The workers’ working hours were meticulously audited and it is noted that there was some leniency with workmen evidently taking time off for beer-drinking parties. On at least one occasion, when the authorities were desultory in paying salaries, the workmen left their workplace and conducted a sit-down strike to achieve more prompt payment. At one stage, some of the inhabitants began building their own temples in the general burial ground, and these followed the model of the kings’ tombs they had been creating, though obviously much more modest, with a courtyard shaft dropping down to the underground burial chamber, and with a ground floor chapel, its roof rising to a pyramidal structure.
Papyri have been found testifying to a number of incidents and circumstances which provide extraordinary background to these individuals. The promotion of one worker to foreman status led to a protest from the brother of the deceased previous occupant of the position, who felt it should have passed to him. When an appeal was heard, accusations were made that bribery was involved, and it became apparent that the newly appointed man had managed to alienate many of his fellow-workers. He was replaced shortly afterwards, although not by the brother.
There is also a papyrus containing the confession of a party of tomb-robbers, detailing how they went about their business. The point is made, though, that it has now been established that numbers of tomb-clearances were carried out officially, both, it seems, to recycle the valuables, and to provide space for new burials. As far as I can see, little if any of this material is newly provided by the authors, but by adding it in to the story, they have offered a valuably comprehensive picture.
Finally, I found it very interesting that the Romans converted the Temple of Luxor into a military camp in the third century BCE, well after it had ceased to be used for religious purposes. The Romans, by and large, were much more tolerant of other religions than is often suggested, and they seem to have been more respectful of the Egyptian complex than some other religions have subsequently been.
May 20, 2008
I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who is actually planning on visiting Thebes. With its detailed descriptions of specific temples and tombs, it was perfect for my purposes (research on a specific location and time period. The photographs and diagrams are excellent. Readers with a casual interest in ancient Egypt might want to look elsewhere.
July 4, 2014
Very insightful book into the history of the Luxor region, from earliest know history to modern period. Covers all sites, most of which were not known to me. Valley of the Kings, Queens, peasants and more. Pharoahs, Romans, and all civilizations before and after. History includes the many archaeological excavations. Makes one desire to go visit.
May 30, 2008
Tons of information but incredibly dry ... not surprising, given the authors' names ....
July 5, 2010
A very useful reference book, and a fascinating introductions to the Luxor, giving you some great contextual information for how Thebes fits into the rich Egyptian history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews