Ra vs. Apep

Egyptians kept cats around as pets because they were good for ridding their owners of rats, mice, and snakes. The wall art (painting to the right) [from the NewKingdom, c. 1550 BC-c. 1069] of a cat cutting a snake depicts the ongoing battle between Ra and Apep. Ra or Re was the sun god, to whom was represented as a cat, as well as the sycamore tree. Apep, Apepi, or Apophis (the snake) was the god of evil, darkness, and destruction. Apep was also associated with Seth (the god of chaos). It was said that those who were eaten by Apep would be put into non existence because inside the belly of the snake, there was a black hole.

Ra would travel through the underworld (the sky) during the night. Every morning before Ra's solar barque (boat) could come into daylight, Apep would try to strand Ra's barque by gorging the water of the underworld with his coils, acting as sand banks. But in all of Apep's efforts, Ra always prevailed, allowing the sun to rise again at dawn.

The cat (Ra) cuts open the belly of Apep, although after being cut open, diced, and bones being smashed,  Apep would be revived at every nightfall. There were multiple paintings of cats cutting snakes found in Egypt, some of which, the eyes of the cat would have been gilded.

 I picked the painting of the cat vs the snake because it has a side story of two gods, as well, it tells one of  the reasons why cats were so fascinated. Egypt has always brought such a fascination to me because of it's many untold stories, mysteries, and because of their architectural achievements.

The Khufu Pyramid

Standing at 481 feet tall, the largest pyramid in Giza is the Khufu pyramid.  Khufu the son of Sneferu, was also known as Cheops (the statue to the right, which is 7.5 cm tall). Not much is known about Khufu because of grave robbers. Around 2550 B.C. Pharaoh Khufu sent out his men (slaves) to build this great pyramid during his reign as the second pharaoh during the 4th dynasty, making it the oldest pyramid. Having 3 burial chambers, one underground (created to trick grave robbers), one above ground level (thought to house a sacred statue of Khufu), and the third, making it the highest (where Khufu was placed).

                                                    When the pyramids were first built, they were covered in Tura limestone, making the appearance white, rather than tan. At the top of the pyramids there would have been a golden cap. Because of the casing stones, rather than having steps, the pyramids would have been smooth and reflective.

I picked the Khufu pyramid because it's the largest and oldest pyramid, also, because Egypt has always brought such a fascination to me because of it's many untold stories, mysteries, and because of their architectural achievements.