Secrets of Archaeology Season 1 Episode 6 The Cities Of The Pharaohs

The Secrets of Archaeology season 1 episode 6 is titled "The Cities Of The Pharaohs." This episode delves into the ancient cities of Egypt, particularly the cities associated with the pharaohs. The ancient Egyptians built grand cities as a reflection of their power and wealth. This episode explores what life was like in these cities and how they were constructed.

The episode begins by discussing Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Memphis was founded by King Menes and served as the capital of Egypt for over 1,000 years. The show explores the ruins of Memphis and reveals how it was designed to reflect the pharaoh's authority. With its larger-than-life statues of the pharaohs and elaborate temples, Memphis was meant to impress and intimidate visitors and citizens alike.

Next, the episode explores the ruins of Luxor, a city often called the "world's greatest open-air museum." Luxor was once the location of Thebes, the capital of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period. The episode explains how Luxor was divided into two main parts, the West Bank and the East Bank. The East Bank housed the temples and palaces of the pharaohs, while the West Bank was where the tombs of the pharaohs were located. The episode explores the ruins of many of the ancient tombs in Luxor and explains how they were constructed.

The episode also takes a look at the ancient city of Amarna. Amarna was built by the pharaoh Akhenaten and his queen, Nefertiti, in the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt. The city was built in honor of the god Aten and was designed in a completely different style than other ancient Egyptian cities. Instead of grand temples and statues, the city was designed with smaller, more intimate spaces. The episode explores the ruins of this unique city and reveals how it was designed to be a place of enlightenment and spiritual worship.

Finally, the episode takes us to the city of Alexandria. Unlike the other ancient Egyptian cities discussed in this episode, Alexandria was built during the Hellenistic period, after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt. The episode explores how Alexandria was built to reflect Greek and Egyptian styles and how it became a center of learning and culture. The episode even explores the famous Library at Alexandria and explains why it was such an important institution.

Overall, "The Cities Of The Pharaohs" is an informative and fascinating look at some of the most important and influential cities in ancient Egypt. The episode explores the different styles and designs of these cities and explains how they reflected the pharaohs' power and wealth. With its stunning visuals and expert insights, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in ancient history and architecture.