The hundred gated "Thebes" - Luxor

A strip of green in the midst of yellow desert, the cultivated fields, with the western
desert as a background, simply describe ancient Thebes (or modern-day Luxor), some
700 KMs south of Cairo. Perhaps no city in the world has bequeathed to us more
numerous nor mightier monuments than Thebes (Luxor). Very early in the history of
the country, was a small village called waset, site of worship of the war god "Munt".
In the 16 th century BC, thanks to the military successes of its princes succeeded to
expel the hated invaders "the Hyksos", one of them King "Ahmose" ascended the
throne marking the beginning of the 18 th dynasty, the start of an imperial era, during
such, Thebes was taken as Capital of the first Empire recorded in history, extending
from the Euphrates to the north of Modern day Sudan, for almost 500 years. Even
when Thebes was not the capital, it played an important role in the country's history.
The Thebans defeated the Hyksos under the guardianship of their deity, Amon, who
from now became Amon-Ra, the god of the realm and was worshipped in the triad
with his consort "Mut" and their son "Khons". This was the era of the great victories
and triumphs in anterior Asia, in Nubia and Libya. Tributes and booty poured in the
treasuries of Amon-Ra at Karnak, adding more power to his priesthood, who in fact
created a state within the state.
It was Thebes,(but in frank word was the Karnak - domain of Amon-Ra) through the
country's glorious 500 years, that, serving as a spiritual and economic center,
evidenced from the gigantic temples with its obelisks, elegant tombs cut into the rock.
The temples of the gods, known as cult temples, rose on the east bank of the river,
while temples for the cult of the dead kings together with their tombs were built
directly on the west bank of the river. In addition, elaborate tombs were built for
queens and royal members, as well as small but beautifully painted tombs for both the
nobles and artisans built at the same area on the west bank.
Today, Luxor is known as the world's greatest open-air museum, a city that boasts a
dazzling mix of contemporary living and ancient grandeur. With its great history of
exceptional human achievements, it's not only must see, but must be revisited,
particularly while boarding a Dahabiya or Luxurious River' Cruise-ship.

In fact Thebes had and has no rivals.