The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-03-12
OHAUTAUQUE
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HISTORY.

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HISTORY
In the study of ancient history the student finds
much that will assist him; in fact all that will
give him an insight into the growth and'expansion
of the human This fact is true of all ancient
histories, but to greater extent of Egyptian his
tory. The ancient history of Egypt has lifted the
vail of the past for period of 5000 years B. c.,
how much further back place the infancy
OF Egyptian civilization is difficult problem. If
its civilization in its old age at that period
as its gradual decay from that time onward would
lead us to beleve-its infancy safely be
placed at 1000 years B. C. My conclusions for
this drawn from several directions, chief of
which is this: In the study of all ancient his
tory we find that the human race in its many
divisions was unknown: this allowed of the longer
continuance of a nation. The close proximity of
other races, in modern times being the cause by
which whole nations have been swept out of ex-
istence. This accounts in all probability for the
great length of the Hndoo, Chinese, Chaldean,
Persian and Egyptian nations As far our
knowledge extends, Menes the first king of
the first dynasty. From that time to the
mencement of the eighteenth dynasty there
reigned two hundred and seventy-two kings,
covering period of 4OO9 years. The first king of
tuo ciSutecHtu uyudSty was OueOrOn, Ut AmeS Cuo
founder of that line that knew not Joseph. the
king under whom Moses was born in 1891 B. c.,
that king whose daughter, Thermuthis. saved,
reared. and educated Moses Could we lift the veil
of time and gaze upon the land of Egypt and the
city of Thebes in the early part of the sixteenth
century a wonderful sight would be spread before
our eyes. We would see the victorious army of
Chebron returning from the land of Cush to the
Of Thohoc xpho how 1odo ,in;sk
sore defeat on their hated and despised enemies,
the Cushites; would the soldiers dressed
in apparel. helmets their heads. battle axes.
spears # maces in their hands; here company
of archers and singers. there a corp of swordmen
with shields and daggers; following them the
javlin throwers, and men, women and children,
forming wild, picturesque and savage army re-
turning in triumph with their spols. They are
seen marching on to Thebes they met at the
gates with songs of rejoicing -mirth and festivities
reign throughout the town. They are met at the
gates by the high priests of Anon who hold first
rank at Thebes they bear aloft the emblem of their
office. the symbol Of their favorite god. the bull
ram. They march on through the narrow streets
bordered by square built houses two three and
sometimes four stories high; past stores and
market places, on to the kings palace where he
compliments them for their bravery, and disperses
them to their homes. Shall we enter this large
and wellbuilt dwelling, standing on level with
porch in front supported by circular columns of
alabaster carved in a variety of patterns, square
doorway with the name of the owner above, on
either side and above the porch are square aper-
lures after the style of the doorways, these are
the windows A terrace is formed of the roof on
which may be seen garden. AS we enter the
door a slave steps forward from room at the
side; the master is summoned and are con-
Quoted to a receiving room in an open court sur
rounded by all sides. The reception
room is supported by columns, decorated with
banners, and closed at the bottom by panels ex-
tending from column to the other, awning
being spread over the roof to protect the inmates
from the heat or rain. This being great fete day
everything In readiness for the arrival of guests
Soon they announced and conducted to the
court water is brought for them to battle the hands
and feet; slave anoints their heads, and hands
each guest lotus flower; wreaths of flowers are
near and are placed. around their necks to show
that they welcome. These services complete
the guests wander about the house. admiring the
stucco work of the walls, the artisticaly painted
ceilings the furniture. carpets. rugs, etc. Some
admire the beauty of the table inlaid with ivory
and gold others the beauty of the ebony chairs
also inlad with gold ivory, some recline on
couches of beautiful design. While waiting for
dinner the guests entertained by band of
musicians playing such instruments as harps
lyres guitars. tambourines, pipes. flutes and other
instruments; the men playing the flutes, the women
the harps guitars tambourines and lyres presently
chorus is formed of several singers; they play
and sing the national songs and airs of the coun-
try as allowed by law. 1t WAS at such entertain
ments the poets sang their famous songs; in such
ga theripgs the poet Pentuer sang his epic
poem. famous in history. that describes the battle
between King Harnesses IL and the Cushite
League. The dinner hour approaches the guests
remain at ease. and we will examine them at lels.