Cats In The News - Ancient History Edition

Very cool!!!!!

Egyptian cat god's 2,200-year-old temple unearthed in Alexandria

Ptolemaic-era building may have been dedicated to deity Bastet in city founded by Alexander the Great, say archaeologists

A 2,200-year-old temple that may have been dedicated to the ancient Egyptian cat god Bastet has been unearthed in Alexandria, the Supreme Council of Antiquities said today.

The ruins of the Ptolemaic-era building were discovered by Egyptian archaeologists in the port city founded by Alexander the Great around 331BC. Alexandria was the seat of the Greek-speaking Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for 300 years until the suicide of Queen Cleopatra.

The council's statement said the temple was thought to belong to Queen Berenice II, wife of Ptolemy III who ruled between 246BC–222BC.

Mohammed Abdel-Maqsood, the Egyptian archaeologist who led the excavation team, said the discovery may be the first trace of the long-sought location of Alexandria's royal quarter.

The large number of statues depicting Bastet found in the ruins, he said, suggested that this may be the first Ptolemaic-era temple dedicated to the cat god to be discovered in Alexandria. This would indicate that the worship of the ancient Egyptian cat-god continued during the later, Greek-influenced, Ptolemaic period

Egypt Blogging

While we were at campsite just outside of Alexandria, a farmer who lived nearby gave us a tour of his milk factory. The campsite was in a desert village.


'Hot Dog' - The farmers dog who attended to the goats and sheep he kept next to the campsite















Photos taken by my mother

Egypt Blogging

After a fun day hanging out with the Alexandria Sea Scouts, the leader treated us to local food, Egyptian pie, which was like a pizza and like a pancake, and they have savory first followed by sweet.






Ingredients which you can choose to have in your Egyptian Pie

Alexandria Blogging - Ancient Ruins


Pompey's Pillar












Stairs down to the catacombs

Alexandria Blogging

My Photos of the sumptuous El Salamlek Palace.

H.M. Khedive Abbas Helmi II built the el-Salamlek Palace, located in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1892 as a hunting lodge for his Hangro-Austrian Mistress, Countess May-Torok von Szendro. It was surrounded by woods stocked with game for the hunting pleasure of the Khedive and his guests. The Greek architect Dimitri Faricious Pasha actually designed the palace and undertook its construction.

Later, during the reign of H.M. King Fouad I, son of H.M. Khedive Abbas Helmi II, El-Salamlek served as a guesthouse. And later, under the reign of King Farouk I, El-Salamlek became a summer office and guesthouse for the king's most valued guests. When the Palace was turned into the El Salamlek Palace Hotel and Casino, nine years were spent renovating and decorating in order to recreate the luxury and glamour of the Royal era of Egypt.

A portrait of the former King Farouk and his second wife Narriman Sadek

Helnan Palestine Hotel, Alexandria



This hotel is located inside the Palace of King Farouk, commonly known as Montazah Palace.It is about a 10 minute drive to the town centre.The area is one of the most affluent parts of the city and the hotel was originally built to accommodate the kings and presidents of all the Arab countries for the Arab Summit Meeting.

Alexandria Seafront Blogging

Walking along the sea front in Alexandria was really wonderful

Egypt Blogging

Sugarcane juice is a popular beverage here in Egypt and on most corners you can find a stall selling it. Its freshly made and nothing is added, a great thirst quencer. This photo was taken in Alexandria.