Sneferu

Welcome to Sneferu, your channel for all things ancient egypt. Today, we are going to explore a dark and terrifying practice that was believed to grant a luxurious life to the Pharaohs even in their afterlifes. " The Ancient Egyptian retainer sacrifice." But before we delve into this practice, I must warn you that some of the details may not be suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. If you are more interested in  learning about the afterlife beliefs of ancient egyptians, you can check out my ancient egyptian mythology playlist. If you have stayed on,  brace yourselves as we uncover the truth behind this chilling ritual. Imagine a civilization where the pharaohs were seen as living gods, with ultimate power and control over their subjects even in death. This was Ancient Egypt during the First Dynasty from 3100 BC to 2900 BC. Evidence shows that after these powerful rulers passed away, they would have servants killed to continue serving them in the afterlife. B...

My name is Pharaoh Den, the 5th king of united Egypt's first dynasty, and I am here to tell you about the incredible life. From a young age, I knew that greatness was destined for me. Born into royalty, I was raised with the knowledge that I was meant to rule over Egypt. And so I did, with pride and determination. My reign as pharaoh began in grandeur as my tomb was built like no other before it, designed specifically to keep out any potential tomb robbers. The floor paved in stunning red and black granite from Aswan, a first of its kind architectural feat. But enough about my tomb, let's talk about what truly matters - my accomplishments during my time on this earth. Inside those walls were discovered twenty labels made of ivory and ebony depicting images of myself wearing the double-crown of Egypt - an honor bestowed upon only the most powerful rulers. And let's not forget the seal impressions found within my final resting place which provide evidence of one thing: that e...

Greetings, my dear subjects. I am Merneith, Queen regent of Ancient Egypt during the First Dynasty. My rule occurred around 2950 BC. I am proud to say that I was a ruler of Egypt in my own right, based on several official records. Some even speculate that I was the first female pharaoh and the earliest queen regnant in recorded history.  My name, Merneith, means "Beloved to Neith" and truly reflects my strong connection with the ancient Goddess of lower Egypt.  I was Djer's daughter and  Djet's senior royal wife. This makes me not only a great ruler but also the great-granddaughter of unified Egypt's first pharaoh, Narmer. As many of you know, I was also blessed with a son named Den who succeeded me as king of Egypt. It brings joy to my heart knowing that he has continued on our family legacy with strength and wisdom. My name appears alongside kings such as Djer, Djet, and Den in various seal impressions and inscribed bowls. And let us not forget about...

I, Djet, also known as Wadj, Zet, and Uadji, was the fourth pharaoh of the First Dynasty in ancient Egypt. Born as the son of Pharaoh Djer and possibly Queen Herneith or Nakhtneith, I succeeded my father to take on the throne at a young age. My rule lasted for approximately 10 years around 2980 BC. My Horus name "Hor-Djet" translates to "Horus Cobra" or "Serpent of Horus", symbolizing my divine connection to this powerful deity. During my reign, I continued my father's efforts in expanding our kingdom and strengthening its economy through trade with neighboring regions. This led to an increase in wealth and prosperity for our people. As a testament to my accomplishments as a ruler, a famous stela bearing my name once stood next to my tomb in Umm el-Qa'ab. This stela is now displayed at the Louvre Museum. I am also believed by some scholars to be identified with either King Uenephes or Atothis mentioned by Greek historian Manetho. However, this rema...

Early Dynastic Period 1) First Dynasty               Narmer               Hor-Aha               Neithhotep (regent)               Djer               Djet               Merneith (regent/pharaoh)               Den

You may have come across this symbol while browsing through Egyptian hieroglyphs. So what exactly is a serekh? In simple terms, a serekh is a rectangular enclosure with niches or gates representing the façade of a palace. This symbol was used in ancient Egyptian iconography as early as four dynasties before the well known cartouche came into use. The usage of serekh can be traced back to the gerzeh culture, where it was used as royal crests for pre dynastic nomes of Egypt. The famous serekh of Iry Hor is one of the earliest examples of serekhs. The purpose of the serekh was to enclose and highlight the royal name within it. The earliest form of writing in ancient Egypt did not include vowels or spaces between words, which made it difficult to distinguish between different names and titles. The use of serekhs, helped set apart the royal name from other texts, and established its importance. So why do we see falcon symbols on top of these rectangular enclosures? Well, according to schola...

Beauty Isn't Real: How We're Tricked by Faces Hey everyone, today we're talking about beauty, specifically faces, and how our brains might be playing tricks on us. First off, forget "perfect" features. Studies show we're drawn to average faces. Think of it like this: imagine tons of faces blended together. That "average" face is often seen as more attractive. It might be because our instincts tell us someone with typical features is healthier. But wait, there's more! Babies seem to have a built-in preference for beauty, suggesting it's not just what we learn from media. And across cultures, certain features tend to be attractive, like symmetrical faces on both men and women. Here's an interesting one: research suggests women with a waist-to-hip ratio of around 0.7 (think hourglass figure) might be seen as more fertile. That could subconsciously influence who we find attractive. But culture plays a role too, with some places having differe...

Is beauty real? What makes a man?

The Nile's Gift: The Predynastic Period (c. 5500 – 3150 BC) Imagine a land far different from the vast desert we know today. Lush savannas teeming with wildlife stretched along the Nile River, a vital artery that nourished life in its valley. This was the stage for the rise of ancient Egypt. Around 5500 BC, small farming communities thrived along the Nile, cultivating crops and raising animals. These communities, like the Badarians, were known for their high-quality pottery, stone tools, and even early uses of copper. Over a thousand years, these communities blossomed into complex cultures. The Naqada culture, in particular, displayed remarkable progress. They honed their skills in crafting beautiful pottery, decorative objects, and jewelry using faience, a glazed ceramic technique. They also developed a system of written symbols that would eventually transform into hieroglyphs, the language of the pharaohs. As these cultures interacted and competed, a power center emerged in Nekhe...

Hey everyone, today we're diving into the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian cosmetics!  Egyptians weren't just about pyramids and pharaohs, they were also beauty pioneers. But unlike us, makeup wasn't just about looking good. It had a deeper meaning. For them, beauty was a sign of holiness. Everything they used, including cosmetics, had a spiritual meaning. So, both men and women wore makeup, even trading it like luxury goods! Ancient Egyptians were experts at makeup chemistry! Their green eye paint, called Udju, was made from malachite, a mineral mined as early as 3000 BC. And their black kohl, Mesdemet, wasn't just for show. They believed it protected their eyes from disease, bugs, and even the harsh sun. But wait, there's more! Egyptians were innovative. They used red ochre clay for blush and lipstick, and even mixed makeup with honey and other ingredients to create remedies for burns.  Interestingly, modern research suggests that the lead compounds found in...

The Tale of Two Brothers In the fertile cradle of the Nile, beneath the unblinking gaze of the sun god Ra, lived two brothers, Anpu and Bata. Anpu, the elder, was a stalwart man with a wife by his side. Bata, the younger, was as nimble and kind as the wind rustling through the reeds. Together, they toiled on their land, raising cattle and coaxing life from the rich soil. Anpu, with his strength, guided the plow, while Bata, with his keen eyes, watched over the herds. Theirs was a life woven with the rhythm of the seasons, a tapestry of quiet contentment. One scorching afternoon, a serpent of deceit slithered into their Eden. Anpu's wife, restless and bored, cast her eyes upon Bata. His youthful vigor and gentle nature were a stark contrast to her husband's weathered hands and stoic demeanor. With a serpent's smile, she approached him, her words dripping with honeyed promises. But Bata, with the purity of a desert flower, saw only the ugliness of betrayal. He recoiled, his v...

Tale of the Doomed Prince In the heart of the Old Egyptian kingdom, a king and queen yearned for the laughter of a child. Their nights were filled with whispered prayers to the benevolent gods, and their days with a dull ache of emptiness. Finally, their pleas were answered. The queen conceived, and the entire kingdom rejoiced with the anticipation of a royal heir. The day the prince was born, the palace shimmered with a joyous light. Seven Hathors, goddesses with shimmering wings and eyes that held the wisdom of ages, descended to pronounce the child's fate. Yet, their pronouncements sent a chill through the joyous celebration. "He will die," they intoned, their voices echoing in the grand hall, "by crocodile, snake, or dog." Despair threatened to engulf the king. To protect his precious son, he ordered the construction of a magnificent palace nestled high in the embrace of rugged mountains. Isolated from the world, the prince grew up surrounded by watchful gua...