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reflection of the ancient

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reflection of the ancient
Photo Information
Copyright: Franco Degani (degani) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 152 W: 0 N: 200] (1923)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-21
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-12 12:07
Viewed: 247
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Philae (Greek: Φιλαί) or Pilak or P'aaleq (Egyptian: remote place or the end or the angle island) or Arabic: Anas el Wagud, is an island in the Nile River and the previous site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in southern Egypt. The complex is now located on the nearby island of Agilika.
Philae is mentioned by numerous ancient writers, including Strabo (i. p. 40, xvii. pp. 803, 818, 820), Diodorus (i. 22), Ptolemy (iv. 5. § 74), Seneca (Quaest. Nat. iv. 1), Pliny the Elder (v. 9. s. 10), and was, as the plural name both in the Greek and Latin denotes, the appellation of two small islands situated in latitude 24° North, just above the cataract of Syene (in Ancient Egyptian: Swenet =trade). Groskurd (Strab. vol. iii. p. 399) computes the distance between these islands and Syene at about 61.5 miles (99 km).

Philae proper, although the smaller island, is, from the numerous and picturesque ruins formerly there, the more interesting of the two. Prior to the inundation, it was not more than 1250 English feet, or rather less than a quarter of a mile, long, and about 400 feet broad. It is composed of Syenite stone: its sides are steep and perhaps escarped by the hand of man, and on their summits was built a lofty wall encompassing the island.

For Philae, being accounted one of the burying-places of Osiris, was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north and the Ethiopians (Aethopians in Greek) to the south, and it was deemed profane for any but priests to dwell therein, and was accordingly sequestered and denominated the unapproachable (̓́αβατος, Plut. Is. et Osir. p, 359; Diod. i. 22). It was reported too that neither birds flew over it nor fish approached its shores. (Senec. Quaest. Nat. iv. 2.) These indeed were the traditions of a remote period; since in the time of the Macedonian kings of Egypt, Philae was so much resorted to, partly by pilgrims to the tomb of Osiris, partly by persons on secular errands, that the priests petitioned Ptolemy Physcon (170-117 BC) to prohibit public functionaries at least from coming thither and living at their expense. The obelisk on which this petition was engraved was brought into England by Mr. Bankes, and its hieroglyphics, compared with those of the Rosetta stone, threw great light upon the Egyptian phonetic alphabet.

The islands of Philae were not, however, merely sacerdotal abodes; they were the centres of commerce also between Meroë and Memphis. For the rapids of the cataracts were at most seasons impracticable, and the commodities exchanged between Egypt and Ethiopia were reciprocally landed and re-embarked at Syene and Philae.

The neighbouring granite-quarries attracted hither also a numerous population of miners and stonemasons; and, for the convenience of this traffic, a gallery or road was formed in the rocks along the east bank of the Nile, portions of which are still extant.

Philae also was remarkable for the singular effects of light and shade resulting from its position near the Tropic of Cancer. As the sun approached its northern limit the shadows from the projecting cornices and mouldings of the temples sink lower and lower down the plain surfaces of the walls, until, the sun having reached its highest altitude, the vertical walls are overspread with dark shadows, forming a striking contrast with the fierce light which embathes all surrounding objects. (Ritter, Erdkunde, vol. i. p. 680, seq.)
vandana2923, mbrito, juyona, cobra112, Silvio2006, Teresat, amcolli, harpya has marked this note useful
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To Teresat: thank youdegani 1 05-15 14:58
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Romeu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 219 W: 0 N: 90] (969)
  • [2008-05-12 12:11]

Hi Franco,

Beautiful colors, lights and composition!

Best regards,

Adastro

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2326 W: 0 N: 576] (11859)
  • [2008-05-12 12:36]

Hola Franco,
hermoso disparo, y pov,
buenos detalles, excelente e histórico pov.
saludos amigo.

Saranno antichi ma li vedo belli in forma. Ottimi i riflessi e la vegetazione che taglia a metŕ la foto.

Roberto

  • Great 
  • AKITA Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 486 W: 34 N: 41] (5203)
  • [2008-05-12 14:22]

Dear Franco,
this color of stones looks same color of the desert.
ancient buildings are on the river of time. and beautiful reflections show us the flow that never stop.
the image on ripples are like cut papers by a shredder of the time too.
when I see the view in Egypt, I always think about the time...
thank you,
Akihisa

  • Great 
  • Dot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 667 W: 0 N: 949] (4070)
  • [2008-05-12 16:39]

HI Franco
Happy that you shared this photo with us. It is not something we see often especially with the carvings on the wall.
Beautifull composed with great reflections
Dot

Ciao, Franco,
It must be very exciting to stand and contemplate these stony construction wich have endured so many centuries!
I like the colours very much!
TFS
Valerka:)

Bom dia Franco

The brightness of Philae lives in your photo. Great capture and great composition.The Gods were with you.

My regards

Teresat

Hello Franco,
Great capture of Philae Temple. Excelent POV and compo. Fabulous light and colours. A very good work.
Congrats and regards, jmb
: later

lovely exposure.the light is just perfect to give beautiful images of the carvings in the water.
congratulations and GOD BLESS YOU.

Ciao Franco, magnifica vista dello splendido tempio di Iside, grani colori e meravigliosi riflessi, bravo, ciao Silvio

spetacolare l'immagine dei templi che si scompone nei mille riflessi delle onde, qusi si moltiplicasse.....nota superlativa
grazie
a.

Ciao Franco,
Beautiful details and pov.
I can see the carvings on that wall. TSF
Vandana
later

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4823 W: 180 N: 5547] (29885)
  • [2008-05-16 7:13]

Ciao Franco


Ah!. Egypt, as I adore all your history
workmanships and architecture of this wonderful city.
Your informative text is excellent and very cultural,
there are things that he had not read previously.
The picture is beautiful, wonderful details and reflexes
that give a show!

Congratulazioni il mio amico..

Sérgio

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