10 Lies About Ancient Egypt So Common Everyone Believes Them

Ancient Egypt is surrounded by myths that have excited imaginations for centuries. From Hollywood movies to history books, people have developed many misconceptions about this fascinating civilization. Why do so many myths persist despite evidence to the contrary?

Common Misconceptions:

Pyramids were built by slaves.
All Egyptians worshipped the same gods.
Hieroglyphs were just decorative symbols.

Jump into this article to separate fact from fiction and uncover what really shaped one of history's most intriguing cultures.

1. The Pyramids Were Built by Slaves

The idea that slaves built the pyramids is one of the biggest myths about ancient Egypt. This belief mainly comes from popular culture and old stories, like those from the Bible.

Actually, skilled laborers, not slaves, built the pyramids. Archaeological finds show that the workers were well-fed and lived in nearby villages. These builders played an important role in society.

Biggest Misconceptions:

Movies and Books: Many films and novels show slaves dragging giant stones. This image is more fiction than fact.
Historical Texts: Ancient historians like Herodotus spread these myths. He wrote much later and got many things wrong.
Biblical Stories: The Book of Exodus mentions Israelite slaves in Egypt. But it never talks about them building pyramids.

Evidence suggests the workers were paid laborers. They even got beer and bread for their hard work. Not bad, right? Plus, their burial sites show honor given to them for their service.

In truth, these builders were pretty important to ancient Egyptian society. Their skills and effort created wonders that still amaze us today.

2. Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as gods.

One common myth about ancient Egypt is that the Egyptians worshipped cats as gods. This misconception likely stems from the high esteem in which they held these animals.

Ancient Egyptians didn’t worship cats, but they did believe cats had divine qualities. They saw cats as vessels through which gods could communicate.

Here are some key points:

Bastet: The goddess Bastet, depicted as a lioness or a woman with a cat's head, was associated with home, fertility, and protection.
Mafdet: Mafdet, another deity, often took the form of a cat and was linked to justice.
Cats as Protectors: Cats were believed to protect homes from pests like snakes and scorpions, enhancing their sacred reputation.

Statues of cats and mummified cats were common in ancient Egypt, indicating their cultural and religious importance. Egyptians would often keep cats to benefit from their divine protection.

So, while cats were highly revered, it’s not accurate to say they were worshipped as gods. Instead, they were respected as sacred animals with connections to the divine.

3. The Curse of the Pharaohs is Real

The "Curse of the Pharaohs" is a famous myth that claims anyone who disturbs an ancient Egyptian tomb will face terrible misfortune. It's pretty spooky, but is there any truth to it?

Consider these points:

Mysterious Deaths: Some explorers and archaeologists who opened tombs died unexpectedly. For example, Lord Carnarvon, who funded the search for King Tutankhamun’s tomb, died shortly after its discovery.
Natural Explanations: Many of these deaths can be explained by natural causes like infections, poisons, and diseases found in old tombs. No need for a mystical curse!
Cultural Fears: Ancient Egyptians wanted to protect their tombs from robbers. Stories of curses could have been crafted to scare people away.

While the curse makes for a great story, science suggests it's more myth than reality. So, if you ever stumble upon an ancient tomb, you might not need a lucky charm. Just a good health insurance plan!

4. Cleopatra was Egyptian

Cleopatra is often thought of as an Egyptian queen, but she wasn't actually Egyptian. She was Greek. Her family, the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great conquered it. They stuck to their Greek roots.

Misconceptions:

Born and bred in Egypt: Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, but her ancestry was Macedonian Greek.
Cultural ties: Though she ruled Egypt and adopted some Egyptian customs, her heritage and upbringing were Greek.

Cleopatra embraced Egyptian culture to connect with her subjects. She even learned the Egyptian language, something most of her Greek ancestors didn’t bother to do.

Despite her efforts, many Egyptians still saw her as a foreigner. This dual identity is a big part of her historical allure. Cleopatra could navigate both Greek and Egyptian worlds, making her a fascinating figure.

5. The Sphinx is a perfectly preserved statue.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is not as pristine as some people believe. They might picture it as an untouched marvel of time, but the truth is quite different.

The Sphinx has weathered thousands of years of natural wear and tear. Erosion from wind and sand has taken a toll on its body. The statue's face is missing its nose, which many mistakenly blame on Napoleon's troops.

Efforts to preserve the Sphinx have been going on since ancient times. Even during the reign of Thutmose IV, people tried to repair and protect it.

Myths About the Sphinx:

Its face was not shot off by Napoleon's troops.
The statue has suffered significant erosion.
Preservation efforts started long before modern times.

Understanding the true state of the Sphinx adds to the wonder of its survival through centuries of natural and human-made challenges. It's a testament to ancient engineering, but definitely not a perfectly preserved one.

6. King Tutankhamun's tomb was discovered intact

Many people think King Tutankhamun's tomb was found completely untouched. This isn't quite right.

First, the tomb had been robbed twice shortly after it was sealed. The robbers took small, portable items like oils and jewelry. They didn't get very far, but the mess left behind showed their activity.

Even so, the main rooms remained mostly undisturbed when Howard Carter found the tomb in 1922. This made it a sensational discovery. The inner treasures, like Tutankhamun's golden mask and his sarcophagus, were largely intact.

The myth of the 'completely intact' tomb probably comes from these spectacular finds. They created a lasting impression. Yet, calling the tomb completely untouched isn't accurate. It's close, but not quite the full story.

In summary:

The tomb was robbed shortly after being sealed.
The main rooms were largely untouched.
Many treasures were found in great condition.

7. The Nile is the longest river in the world

The Nile River holds the crown for being the longest river on Earth. Stretching over 4,130 miles, it snakes its way from deep in Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. This river is a lifeline, not just for Egypt, but for several African nations.

People often think all rivers flow south, but the Nile flows northward. It gets its water from two main sources: the White Nile originating in East Africa and the Blue Nile starting in Ethiopia.

The ancient Egyptians called it "the father of African rivers." It was essential to their way of life. It provided water, food, transport, and fertile soil for farming.

Biggest Misconceptions:

"It only runs through Egypt." Nope, it flows through eleven countries.
"It's just one single river." Actually, it combines waters from the White and Blue Nile.
"Rivers usually flow north." The northward flow of the Nile is quite unique.

The Nile River has been a source of myths and legends for centuries. Its waters helped build an entire civilization. It remains a subject of fascination even today.

8. All hieroglyphs are deeply mysterious symbols.

Some people think hieroglyphs are like ancient magic spells. They aren't.

Hieroglyphs were just a way to write, like our alphabet.

Misconceptions About Hieroglyphs:

Mystic Symbols Only: Not true. They were used for everyday stuff, like shopping lists.
All Elegant and Fancy: Often, yes. But, sometimes, they just got the job done.
Hard to Understand: Once the Rosetta Stone was found, they were decoded pretty quickly.

Hieroglyphs were practical and used for royal duties and simple records. They called it "the language of the gods," but it wasn't all about rituals.

Remember, hieroglyphs were not just fancy drawings. They recorded everything from laws to laundry lists.

9. Pharaohs were buried with all their treasure.

Many people think that ancient Egyptian pharaohs were buried with all their treasure. While it's true they were buried with valuables, it's more complex than it sounds.

Pharaohs were buried with many items, but not everything. They believed these items would be useful in the afterlife. This included jewelry, weapons, and statues.

Despite popular belief, not all pharaohs had vast treasures. Some tombs were modest, especially those of lesser-known rulers.

Common myths include:

All pharaohs had massive amounts of gold and jewels.
Every tomb was filled to the brim with treasures.
Pharaohs were always buried with every single possession.

In reality, the amount of treasure varied. Some tombs had more practical items like food and tools. These were believed to help them in the afterlife journey.

Many treasures were also stolen by grave robbers over the centuries. This means we might never know exactly what each pharaoh was buried with.

So, while treasures did play a role, it wasn't always about wealth. It was more about preparing for the afterlife. They valued items that held spiritual significance, not just material wealth.

10. Egyptians Walked Like You've Seen in Movies

Many people think ancient Egyptians walked with their arms straight out like mummies from old horror movies. This image is more Hollywood than history.

In reality, ancient Egyptians moved like any other humans, with normal arm and leg movements. They climbed stairs, carried goods, and danced gracefully.

Some misconceptions:

Egyptians did not shuffle around like zombies.
They had normal posture and gait.
Ancient Egyptian art shows realistic walking and working positions.

Movies like "The Mummy" love to show creepy, stiff-walking mummies. These are just characters made for our entertainment.

Ancient Egyptians were active people. They built pyramids, farmed land, and navigated the Nile. It's hard to do all that with stiff limbs!

Pyramids Were Built by Slaves

Many believe that the grand pyramids of Egypt were built by slaves, but this is not true. The real builders were skilled workers who were well-fed and respected.

The Truth About Pyramid Builders

The ancient historian Herodotus likely helped spread the myth that slaves built the pyramids. He visited Egypt around 450 BC, long after the pyramids were completed.

Herodotus heard stories from local guides who may have exaggerated or misunderstood the past. This led many to wrongly assume slaves built the pyramids.

Modern archaeology shows that the pyramids were built by skilled workers. These workers were organized into teams and took pride in their work. They were not slaves but valued laborers.

Evidence from Worker Villages

Excavations near the pyramids have found worker villages. These villages included homes, bakeries, and breweries. Workers had good living conditions, a steady diet, and medical care. This evidence shows that they were not slaves but respected workers.

Items found at these sites give us a glimpse into their everyday lives. Tools, pottery, and other artifacts show the workers were well-organized and skilled. These items suggest a sense of community and pride among the builders.

The discovery of these villages changed our understanding of how the pyramids were built. It’s clear that skilled workers, not slaves, were behind these incredible ancient structures.

Cleopatra Was Egyptian

Many people think Cleopatra was Egyptian because she ruled Egypt. In reality, she was of Greek descent, and her heritage and reign show this.

Her Greek Heritage

Cleopatra wasn't Egyptian by blood. She was a descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great's generals. Ptolemy's family took control of Egypt after Alexander's death and ruled for about 300 years.

Greek Language: Cleopatra spoke Greek but learned Egyptian to connect with her subjects.
Family: Cleopatra's family continued Greek traditions and culture, despite living in Egypt for centuries.
Lineage: She was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which originated in Greece.

So, even though Cleopatra led Egypt, her roots were firmly Greek. This blend of cultures gave her an edge in ruling a diverse empire.

Cleopatra's Reign

Cleopatra became queen after her father's death in 51 BCE. She ruled with her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV before becoming sole ruler.

Political Maneuvering: Cleopatra aligned with powerful Romans like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony to keep her throne.
Cultural Impact: She adopted some Egyptian customs to strengthen her position but kept many Greek practices.
Challenges: During her reign, she faced internal and external threats, including Rome's growing power.

Cleopatra's reign was marked by her savvy alliances and cultural fusion, reflecting both her Greek heritage and her Egyptian rule. These elements made her one of history's most fascinating rulers.