The Nile River flows through regions where people live, and in those inhabited areas its course is well known. Travelers and local people understand where the river goes, how it moves, and how it supports life. However, no one can give a clear account of where the Nile truly begins. The reason for this is that Libya, the land through which the upper parts of the river pass, is largely desert and has very few inhabitants. Because people do not live there, there are no witnesses who can describe the source of the river.
As far as careful inquiry and questioning could go, all available information about the Nile has already been given. From what is known, the river enters Egypt from lands farther south, beyond the Egyptian borders The Lands Beyond the Libyan Coast.
The Nile and Its Comparison to the Ister
Egypt lies almost directly opposite the mountainous region of Cilicia. From this region, a lightly equipped traveler can reach the city of Sinope, which lies on the Euxine Sea, in about five days by a direct route. Sinope stands opposite the place where the river Ister flows into the sea.
Based on this geographical balance, it is believed that the Nile is equal in length to the Ister. Just as the Ister flows through the whole of Europe, the Nile seems to travel through the whole of Libya before reaching Egypt. By comparing what is known about one great river with another, this conclusion appears reasonable. With this explanation, the discussion of the Nile’s source can be brought to an end Ephesus Daily Tour.
Why Egypt Deserves Special Attention
Egypt deserves a much longer discussion than other lands. No other country contains so many wonders, nor so many remarkable works that are difficult to describe. Everything about Egypt seems different from the rest of the world. Its climate does not resemble that of neighboring regions, and its river behaves unlike any other river known to mankind.
Even more striking are the customs and daily habits of the Egyptian people. In many cases, they do the exact opposite of what is common elsewhere.
Unusual Roles of Men and Women
In Egypt, women go to the markets and trade goods, while men stay at home and work at the loom. This is the reverse of what happens in most other societies. When weaving cloth, Egyptians also work differently. In other countries, workers move the woof upward through the warp, but in Egypt they work it downward.
Daily labor also shows this reversal. Women carry heavy loads on their shoulders, while men carry burdens on their heads. These practices may seem strange to outsiders, but they are normal and accepted in Egyptian society.
Public and Private Life in Egypt
The Egyptians also differ in how they treat public and private behavior. They eat their food outdoors in the streets, where everyone can see them. However, they go inside their houses for private bodily needs. Their reasoning is simple: things that are necessary but shameful should be hidden, while things that are not shameful should be done openly.
Religion also follows strict rules. Women are not allowed to serve as priests for either gods or goddesses. Men alone perform priestly duties for all divine beings.
Family Responsibilities
Family duties in Egypt are also unusual. Sons are not required to support their parents unless they choose to do so. Daughters, however, must support their parents whether they wish to or not. This rule again shows how Egyptian customs differ sharply from those of most other nations.
