The Use of the Pharaonic Past in Modern Egyptian Nationalism

Ancient history is often used by modern nations to inspire the processes of nation building. Events, monuments and artifacts of centuries past are often reflected in how a modern nation perceives itself and its future. It may be possible to see the present nation and its citizens as the current descendants, whether physically or merely in spirit, of a once great civilization of the past. Such an identification can take the form of an official ideology propagated to a nation's citizens in the school curriculum and the pronouncements of the government and political parties. In Turkey, for example, children are taught that modern Turks are the descendants of the ancient Hittites; the modern Greek nation, from the War of Independence on, has consciously identified itself with the Greece of Pericles and the Parthenon.2 Mongolian politicians, campaigning in recent elections, invoked the memory of Genghis Khan. Flags may contain ancient symbols and resources may be spent on the preservation, promotion and display of the material remains of the past. Thus, the Mexican flag portrays a scene from an Aztec legend; the Mexican dictator Diaz, in an attempt to solidify feelings of Mexican nationhood, sponsored extensive excavations at the site of Teotihuacan.3 Israeli archaeologists have used the results of excavations at such sites as Masada to reconstruct a vision of