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SIWA OASIS :
Alexander's oracle
Siwa appears at first as a sweet and innocent place deep in the desert
which has just opened its eyes to the modern world and still let's
itself be amazed. Which is not wrong, the asphalted road opened first in
1984.
The Oracle of Amon is today mainly remembered for being visited by
Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, when he was seeking confirmation that he
was the son of Zeus (whom the Greeks associated with the Egyptian Amon).
Nobody knows what the oracle told Alexander, the answer was whispered
into his ear. But it probably was confirmative; Alexander expressed ever
since a wish to be buried at Siwa, and he embarked upon great conquests
in the east, conquests that only a son of a god would dare to embark
upon.
The oracle of Siwa was one of the 6 most influential in the known world
of those days. It probably came into use some time in the 6th century,
as an expansion of the up to 200 year older temple dedicated to Amon-Re.
The threatening
entrance to the temple complex.
The impact of this site in ancient times appears slightly strange and
fascinating at the same the same time to modern visitors. The actual
temple is so small, but the entire setting is like out of a fantasy
novel. The temple complex, complete with a well (quite well-preserved)
takes all of a little mountian rising up from the oasis. Seen from a
distance, the site is like a white island floating on green palms. Upon
entering, a wall rises above you, and when standing next to the temple
you will have fabulous views.
Unfortunately, there is little to fascinate a visitor with the temple
structure itself, no wall-paintings and no fine details have survived.
It is best when seen from a distance.
The temple
itself. It is really very small, but as most visitors never were allowed
to enter, just stand on the ground 12 metres beneath, it probably appeared
to be quite impressive.
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Cairo
Bahariya Road
White Desert
Akabat Mountain
White Desert
White Desert
Camping
White Desert
White Desert
Crystal Mountain
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