Egyptophiles, come hither.

Libbie · Jun 4, 2008

I've been scouring all my resources, trying to find out how long it would have taken, on average, to sail upstream and downstream on the Nile in - oh, say the 18th Dynasty. If I knew roughly how long it took to get from one major city to another, I could piece together reasonable travel times for anywhere my characters needed to go.

Does anybody have any information or sources I may have missed?

I'm considering bugging Joyce Tyldesley with this question. She was helpful in pointing me toward another resource a few months ago, but I don't want to make her think I'm a creepy fan, or that I'm relying solely on her for research i could be doing on my own.

Thanks!

DeleyanLee · Jun 4, 2008

What time of the year is it? Pre-inundation, Inundation or Post-inundation? Makes a difference.

Memnon624 · Jun 4, 2008

Hi Libbie,

This is from An Introduction to the History and Culture of Pharaonic Egypt:

The speed of travelling on the river depended on the direction of the journey, the strength of the wind and the current, the boat and its crew. Generally, one did not travel on the Nile in the dark. Nitocris covered the distance between Sais in the Delta and Thebes in about 16 days. Herodotus needed 9 days to reach Thebes from Heliopolis, a distance of about 630 km. Pliny travelled upriver from Juliopolis on the Mediterranean coast to Thebes in 12 days. In antiquity, the average speed sailing up-river was between 40 and 70 kms per day.

And this is from a stele erected by Psammetichus I in the 26th dynasty:

Year 9, month one of Inundation, day twenty-eight: going forth from the royal apartments by his eldest daughter clothed in fine linen and ornamented with new turquoise. Her retinue was with her, great in number, while police cleared her paths. Taking the beautiful path to the quay in order to head southwards to Thebes. Ships were with her in great numbers, the crews being of mighty troops
.....
Year 9, month two of Inundation, day 14. Putting to land at the quay of the city of the gods, Thebes.

Hope this helps!

Scott

Libbie · Jun 4, 2008

You rock, Scott! Thanks!

DeleyanLee - I imagine I'll have characters traveling at all points of the year, so if I can get stats on any time of the year that would be most helpful.

goldenquince · Jul 5, 2008

Hey! Not completely on the subject but I JUST got Tyldesley's book about Hatchepsut...could it be, perchance, that you are writing about the 18th Dynasty queen?? If so, I'd be one of the first to buy your book!

Egyptophiles, come hither.

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Memnon624

A Boy and his Orc . . .

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

goldenquince