An Egyptologist/antiquarian from West-Cheshire: specialising in botany and horticulture in the art of Ancient Egypt. Currently writing PhD at the University of Liverpool
University of Sheffield Undergraduate Dissertation, 2019
Herodotus recalls his travels through Egypt in 440 BCE. As he journeys along the banks of the Nil... more Herodotus recalls his travels through Egypt in 440 BCE. As he journeys along the banks of the Nile from Heliopolis to Thebes, he makes a note of everything he sees, so that he may share it with the world on his return; and so that the events of his era are not lost in the passage of time. His works were preserved and recited from their conjuration to the modern day and, until the ability to translate hieroglyphs, his account of Egypt was one of only a few literary sources that provide any detailed information, resulting in its consideration as one of the main resources from which our knowledge of this era of Ancient Egypt is built upon. However, the general works of Herodotus are often questioned, and his accuracy contested. Many argue he does not even visit the places he records. This leads to the need to assess Herodotus’ work in detail, to find a basis on which to deliberate its reliability as a contemporary, literary source. The account in Herodotus’ second histories specifically concerned with Egypt was compared with evidence from archaeological, literary and scientific sources; to find consistencies or identify inconsistencies. Due to a multitude of factors, namely: Herodotus’ habitual plagiarism, a lack of elaboration, the reliability of his sources, a lack of differentiation between truth and myth and apparent fabrication, I conclude Herodotus’ account to be generally unreliable. Despite this, it seems not for any malicious or degradative intent, more a lack of understanding, that these inconsistencies exist. Instead, the histories of Herodotus are useful tools when used in correspondence with other forms of evidence.
Swansea University Postgraduate Dissertation, 2020
Ancient Egyptian officials were buried in elaborate tombs, some of which contained marvellous str... more Ancient Egyptian officials were buried in elaborate tombs, some of which contained marvellous structures and scenes that allowed them to continue with their lives as a ba-soul after death. Many tombs from the 18th Dynasty at Thebes contain interesting garden scenes painted along their walls. Archaeological investigations have revealed physical versions of these ‘tomb-gardens’ in several locations across Egypt, and several tomb-scenes from other periods and locations have been identified as tomb-gardens too. Through close comparison and assessment of this evidence, tomb gardens have been concluded to serve the deceased as a place of spiritual significance, as a ‘microcosm of the universe’, that also grows produce and provisions for the enjoyment of the deceased and allows the practice of religious rituals. The placement of these gardens in a tomb provides the deceased with these resources for eternity.
University of Sheffield Undergraduate Dissertation, 2019
Herodotus recalls his travels through Egypt in 440 BCE. As he journeys along the banks of the Nil... more Herodotus recalls his travels through Egypt in 440 BCE. As he journeys along the banks of the Nile from Heliopolis to Thebes, he makes a note of everything he sees, so that he may share it with the world on his return; and so that the events of his era are not lost in the passage of time. His works were preserved and recited from their conjuration to the modern day and, until the ability to translate hieroglyphs, his account of Egypt was one of only a few literary sources that provide any detailed information, resulting in its consideration as one of the main resources from which our knowledge of this era of Ancient Egypt is built upon. However, the general works of Herodotus are often questioned, and his accuracy contested. Many argue he does not even visit the places he records. This leads to the need to assess Herodotus’ work in detail, to find a basis on which to deliberate its reliability as a contemporary, literary source. The account in Herodotus’ second histories specifically concerned with Egypt was compared with evidence from archaeological, literary and scientific sources; to find consistencies or identify inconsistencies. Due to a multitude of factors, namely: Herodotus’ habitual plagiarism, a lack of elaboration, the reliability of his sources, a lack of differentiation between truth and myth and apparent fabrication, I conclude Herodotus’ account to be generally unreliable. Despite this, it seems not for any malicious or degradative intent, more a lack of understanding, that these inconsistencies exist. Instead, the histories of Herodotus are useful tools when used in correspondence with other forms of evidence.
Swansea University Postgraduate Dissertation, 2020
Ancient Egyptian officials were buried in elaborate tombs, some of which contained marvellous str... more Ancient Egyptian officials were buried in elaborate tombs, some of which contained marvellous structures and scenes that allowed them to continue with their lives as a ba-soul after death. Many tombs from the 18th Dynasty at Thebes contain interesting garden scenes painted along their walls. Archaeological investigations have revealed physical versions of these ‘tomb-gardens’ in several locations across Egypt, and several tomb-scenes from other periods and locations have been identified as tomb-gardens too. Through close comparison and assessment of this evidence, tomb gardens have been concluded to serve the deceased as a place of spiritual significance, as a ‘microcosm of the universe’, that also grows produce and provisions for the enjoyment of the deceased and allows the practice of religious rituals. The placement of these gardens in a tomb provides the deceased with these resources for eternity.
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