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Luxor has a remarkable history which has weaned itself and given the place
a unique rich feel that has interspersed its contours with temples and tombs
to say the least. The city was originally a part of Thebes, the Southern City,
almost eight hundred kilometers south of the Mediterranean, on the east bank
of the river Nile. The city was an erstwhile capital of the Egyptian world during
the reign of the eleventh dynasty and also most of the eighteenth dynasty of
the Egyptian Pharaohs.
Thebes was the capital of Waset which is the seat of ancient Egypt. The city
developed at early, and then Luxor was called as the Epet, came to light when
the Theban family was established. Rose to power as the residence of the Royal
family, it also became the altar of worship to the God of Amon. Luxor was a
part of the land site chosen for the burial of the rich and discerning citizens
including the people in the royal line. The Place housing the Valley of the
Kings and the Valley of the Queens was one of the richest region of the then
Egypt. Nile gave it the necessary impetus to be the abode of the Royalties as
the place is cooler compared to other places which share the scorching heat
of the Sahara Desert.
Luxor was also the ideal place for boating along the Nile, providing entertainment
fit for the Kings and easy to have guards patrol the grounds. Moreover this
is the site which would provide the necessary fast and safe exit for the Royalties.
Over the period the site Luxor had a loss of face when the Royal patronage ceased.
The History of Luxor has given Luxor places like Temple of Karnak, Valley
of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, Tomb of
Queen Nefertari, Temple of Amun, Valley of the Artisans, tombs of Tutankhamen
and of Sons of Ramses II.
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