tation of the oasis, Kharga was dedicated to the god
AMUN-Ré by DARIUS I(r. 521–486 B.C.E.), the Persian con-
queror of Egypt.
Kurkur an oasis situated to the west of Aswan.
Siwa the most famous of the oases, located 524
miles northwest of modern Cairo. In the Ptolemaic
Period (304–30 B.C.E.) Siwa was known as Jupiter
Ammon, named thus in honor of ALEXANDER III THE
GREAT(r. 332–323 B.C.E.). The Macedonian ruler visited
Siwa in order to be named a son of the deity Amun and a
fitting ruler of Egypt. The oasis is northernmost in the
Western Desert, closest to Libya, and it was always con-
sidered to be the richest of the sites, having many shrines
and gilded objects of devotion.
The temple of AMUN, called Umm Ubayd, was the
site of the famous oracle of Siwa, a major attraction for
visitors and a vital part of Amunite rituals. Alexander
the Great was hailed as a pharaoh by the oracle when he
visited the oasis. Siwa is famous for wines and dates
as well as religious monuments. It is also noted as the
destination of an ill-fated contingent of Persian sol-
diers sent by CAMBYSES(r. 525–522 B.C.E.) to loot the
oasis temples and shrines. These troops disappeared
without a trace, never returning to the Nile. Remains
found in the area of Siwa on a recent expedition are now
being studied as possible evidence of the Persian troop
disappearance.
Oases Route A caravan trail used by the Egyptians
from the Old Kingdom Period (2575–2134 B.C.E.) for
trading operations, the Oases Route started in THINIS,
north of ABYDOS, on the west bank of the Nile, and led
to NUBIA (modern Sudan). From Thinis, the Oases
Route went also to KHARGAOASIS, where it linked up
with the FORTY DAY ROUTEthrough Selima and then
on to the DAKHLAand FARAFRAOases. The rich agricul-
tural areas of these oases and the Nubian territor-
ies beyond demanded control of the region. Dakhla
Oasis and the surrounding districts were colonized in
the Sixth Dynasty (2323–2150 B.C.E.), possibly earlier,
in order to establish control over the lucrative trade
enterprises.
obelisks Unique stone monuments famed throughout
the ages and vibrant symbols of ancient Egypt, obelisks
are large upright stone beams with four sides and a taper-
ing end carved into the form of a pyramidion. They were
used as religious symbols and were called tekenuby the
Egyptians. The obelisks were given their modern name
by the Greeks, who believed that their shape resembled
small spits.
Obelisks were considered sacred to the god RÉand
were used as well as emblems of other solar deities over
the centuries. The ancient texts describe their particular
role on the temple sites. According to the ancient tradi-
tions, obelisks came in pairs; two were in heaven and two
were on the earth in every age.
HELIOPOLISboasted obelisks from the early periods
of the nation, and they were also raised at THEBESand
at MEMPHIS. The temples of THOTH, AMUN, ISIS, KHNUM,
OSIRIS, NEITH(1), PTAH, and other gods normally had
obelisks as part of their designated design. During
the New Kingdom Period (1550–1070 B.C.E.), the era of
the vast Egyptian empire, obelisks served as a favored
architectural element of the great temples. The rulers of
the New Kingdom used them to adorn Karnak and
other religious sites at Thebes, and the Ramessid kings
had obelisks fashioned for their new capital in the
Delta.
The stone pillars were viewed as endowed with
supernatural significance. They were inhabited by the
gods or by the spirits of the deities from the instant that
they were created and thus merited offerings and special
ceremonies. TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) instituted
such practices for the obelisks that he erected at KARNAK.
A new feast and new liturgies were adopted for the offer-
ings made to the god, as the obelisks were believed toobelisks 285An obelisk of the New Kingdom Period (1550–1070 B.C.E.)
raised to catch the first rays of the dawn at Karnak, a form of
the ritual benben. (Courtesy Steve Beikirch.)