Anyone know greek historian that travelled to Egypt and discovered the world was older than he thought?

Question

I heard this story in an Anthropology lecture once. When he saw the Egyptian's representations of their God's going back generations, he realised that the world was alot older than the Greek myths would have him think. anyone know his name?

Answer 1

Herodotus (c. 485-430 B.C.) is the author of the first comprehensive history of Egypt. He is nicknamed the "Father of History" for his writings on various nations.

Around 450 B.C., he travelled for several months up the Nile to the first cataract, recording his impressions in a highly anecdotal and entertaining manner. Since he did not read hieroglyphs or speak the Egyptian language, he relied heavily on native interpreters and the temple underlings whom he mistook for priests. His travel journal on Egypt was written in Greek and published in Athens in 446 B.C.

Although there are many inaccuracies in Herodotus's work, his eyewitness accounts give valuable glimpses into life in Egypt at the end of the pharaonic period. His writings tell how "sacred, how unspeakable" was the name of Osiris, the great god of Egypt. The festivals that were held to honour gods and other local customs are also described in great detail. For example, he gives a full account of the mummification process, the only description that has survived from the period.

Answer 2

Hecataeus. The story is preserved in the Histories of Herodotus. Slightly different from what you remember though. Hec said he was descended from a god in the 15th generation, but the Egyptian priests laughed and said they'd never heard of that happening in 100 generations.

Answer 3

I think Balyeiyie (sp?) is on to something here. The line is "you turn *yourself* around, THAT's what it's all about." Of course, with a snoot full of bad nose candy you're not really going to notice that little quantum jump backward. I don't think there are any practical applications since the spacetime continuum is warped for only 30 nanoseconds, but it may have some industrial applications somewhere. Good luck.

Answer 4

Herodotus

Answer 5

Herodotus could be the one. He has a whole book devoted to Egypt in his Histories.