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Troy: The Myth of the Lost City
The legendary city of Troy, forever entwined with the epic Trojan War, is inextricably linked to some of the most iconic figures in Greek mythology. From the powerful goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, and the unparalleled beauty of Helen, to the valiant heroes Achilles, Paris, and Odysseus, the tale of Troy has captivated imaginations for centuries. While most are familiar with the story of Troy’s downfall, a question lingers: Is there any truth to this grand conflict, fueled by Paris’s love for Helen and culminating in the infamous Trojan Horse? Did the war truly occur? Did a city named Troy ever exist?
Chichen Itza: City of the Maya
The enigmatic ruined Mayan city of Chichen Itza, meaning “at the mouth of the well of the Itzas,” has captivated archaeologists, explorers, and historians since its first encounter and description by Bishop Diego de Landa, who chronicled the history of the Yucatan in the late 16th century. Chichen Itza flourished from around A.D. 600 to 1200, serving as the dominant political and religious center of the Yucatan peninsula during that period. The site itself is an architectural marvel, showcasing numerous elaborately designed and decorated stone structures. These include temple-pyramids, palaces, observatories, baths, and ball courts, all constructed with remarkable precision and artistry, considering the Maya’s reliance on tools without the use of metal. Despite its grandeur, the Maya began to abandon Chichen Itza around the beginning of the 13th century A.D., leaving the ruins to succumb to the encroaching jungle.
The Sphinx: An Archetypal Riddle
Facing the rising sun, the Great Sphinx resides on the Giza plateau, approximately 6 miles west of Cairo, on the west bank of the Nile River. Egyptian rulers revered it as an aspect of the Sun God, calling it Hor-Em-Akhet. The Sphinx stands within the necropolis of ancient Memphis, the seat of power for the pharaohs, a short distance from three grand pyramids: the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaura. This magnificent monument, the largest surviving sculpture from the ancient world, measures 241 feet in length and in parts 65 feet in height. It is a testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of the ancient Egyptians.
00:00 Troy: The Myth of the Lost City
18:06 Chichen Itza: City of the Maya
34:48 The Sphinx: An Archetypal Riddle
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