This 2D exported image is an actual image of my 3D model, textures included. All of this was done in SketchUp. I was inspired to build this 3D model by an incredible image called "Return to Alexandria" by AncientVine.
Even the Pharos Lighthouse in the distance is a 3D model.
The wall shows an image that is of the mural found on walls in King Tut's tomb. Why did I pick this?
First of all, history does do its best to depict the Ptolemaic palace of Cleopatra VII as accurately as possible. Researchers have a finite number of primary sources available, and archaeological artifacts are relatively recent discoveries. The palace itself was a product of the Ptolemies, starting with Ptolemy I, Alexander the Great's general and the first of the Ptolemaic pharaohs.
Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C. Cleopatra VII was Egypt's last Ptolemaic pharaoh--unless you count her son, Caesarion or her daughter, Cleopatra Selene, as her successor even if they did not remain in Egypt. Her rule ended with her death in 30 B.C. The palace remained until about 365 C.E., when an earthquake (and tsunami) literally sunk it and most of ancient Alexandria beneath the water.
It is really quite recent that we've learned more about this mythical structure from what remains of it at the bottom of Alexandria Harbor. Dives to the bottom of the harbor where the remains of the palace rest have yielded some pretty interesting findings.
This is also mostly true of the Pharos Lighthouse. In this case, though, there are surviving renderings of the lighthouse and descriptions by those who recorded what they saw of it at whatever point in history they saw it. The lighthouse survived far longer than the palace did, having stood for approximately 1,500 years before finally tumbling into the harbor after centuries of use, deterioration and earthquake damage.
The Pharos Lighthouse is believed to have been commissioned by either Ptolemy I or his son, Ptolemy II, its completion having been during the reign of Ptolemy II. This would put its construction at a time not terribly long after 323 B.C. It finally collapsed around the early 1300s C.E. and its ruins lay scattered at the bottom of the harbor where it once stood.
Since I am chatting about Cleopatra VII here, I'm aware of the reports in recent years of the discovery of mummies at the site of Taposiris Magna, where it appears a smaller version or replica of the Pharos Lighthouse is found today. If this smaller lighthouse is indeed a smaller version of the Pharos Lighthouse, that makes things very interesting. Was this lighthouse functional or was it symbolism?
What was the actual lighthouse itself used for besides guiding ships? Who builds a lighthouse like that if all it's meant to do is guide ships? The Pharos Lighthouse was over 300 feet tall and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The structure fascinates me no end and I can't even swim, folks.
Now, why did I go with the murals in King Tut's tomb for this wall up there in my 3D model? Well, I do doubt that was something that might have been reproduced in the Ptolemaic palace, but I could be wrong. Then again, there's no mention of the Goddess Isis in the murals or anything else in King Tut's tomb.
When it comes to King Tut's tomb and Yers Truly, this is where things get interesting.
That's for another post, but I leave you with this: what do you think would be fantastic to have as one of your earliest childhood memories? If it included something that looked similar to this...👀
