Search
Search Results

Image
Abu Simbel Interior
Inside the Great Temple The architects of ancient Egypt in the 13th century BCE aligned the temple so that , on October 21 and February 21 (61 days before and 61 days after the winter solstice), the sun’s rays enter into the sanctuary...

Image
Abu Simbel, Facade of the Temple of Hathor
The Temple of Hathor or "Small Temple" was constructed during the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1279 - c. 1213 BCE). The Small Temple was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, Ramesses' favourite wife. On the facade, six colossi...

Image
Architectural Survey of Abu Simbel
Geneva architect Jean Jacquet, a UNESCO expert, makes an architectural survey of the Great Temple of Rameses II (1290-1223 BCE). It is hoped that the temple will be preserved in its entirety .

Definition
Umayyad Dynasty
The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 CE), the first dynasty to take the title of Caliphate, was established in 661 CE by Muawiya (l. c. 602-680 CE), who had served as the governor of Syria under the Rashidun Caliphate, after the death of the fourth...

Definition
Shahnameh
The Shahnameh (“Book of Kings”, composed 977-1010 CE) is a medieval epic written by the poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. c. 940-1020 CE) in order to preserve the myths, legends, history, language, and culture of ancient Persia. It is the longest...

Definition
Ferdowsi
Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. c. 940-1020 CE, also given as Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi, Firdawsi, Firdausi) is the author of the Shahnameh (The Persian Book of Kings), one of the greatest works of world literature and the national epic of Iran. He...

Definition
Abbasid Dynasty
The Abbasids were an Arabic dynasty that initially ruled over most of the Islamic empire (save some western parts) after assuming the caliphate in 750 CE, later on, their empire fragmented, however, they retained spiritual supremacy as caliphs...

Video
Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO/NHK)
This outstanding archaeological area contains such magnificent monuments as the Temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel and the Sanctuary of Isis at Philae, which were saved from the rising waters of the Nile thanks to the International Campaign...

Article
Ten Great Persian Poets
Persian literature derives from a long oral tradition of poetic storytelling. The first recorded example of this tradition is the Behistun Inscription of Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE), carved on a cliff-face c. 522 BCE during the period...

Definition
Zvartnots Cathedral
The ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral are located on a flat plain within the Ararat Plateau between the cities of Yerevan and Etchmiadzin in Armenia's Armavir province near Zvartnots International Airport. Built in the middle of the 7th century...