Wonders that aren't wonderful?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Darkstar
Boris, the pyramids would be a challenge even for us to build, using our practised construction technology. So stop trying to talk down the pyramids.

I doubt the Pharoahs had to consider: environmental impact studies, planning fees, public consultation, trade union agreements, overtime, health and safety assessments, building regulations, sick pay, et cetera...

[Paddy]

I feel that there should be a great shrine to a true wonder of the modern age

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by molly bloom
I doubt the Pharoahs had to consider: environmental impact studies, planning fees, public consultation, trade union agreements, overtime, health and safety assessments, building regulations, sick pay, et cetera...

No, but the clerics had to be apeased, the troops paid, the workers fed and housed... Failing one of those could mean a quick one-way to the (unfinished) pyramid.

[Paddy]

Originally posted by GeoModder


No, but the clerics had to be apeased, the troops paid, the workers fed and housed... Failing one of those could mean a quick one-way to the (unfinished) pyramid.

hehe well said

it certainly is interesting how the titles of issues change, yet the results can lead to a similar set of paths

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
In terms of design and construction know-how, not at all.

Well, wait. There's the celebrated "bent" pyramid. The Egyptians were building it when another pyramid collapsed. Oops, said they, better not build them with such a steep slope. So the "bent" pyramid looks a little like home plate.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Darkstar
Boris, the pyramids would be a challenge even for us to build, using our practised construction technology. So stop trying to talk down the pyramids.

Only in the sense of marshalling the resources for them and manpower. Otherwise, nothing in their design required more than basic math. Nothing in their construction required more than thousands upon thousands of laborers and some artisans.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Well, wait. There's the celebrated "bent" pyramid. The Egyptians were building it when another pyramid collapsed. Oops, said they, better not build them with such a steep slope. So the "bent" pyramid looks a little like home plate.

That just goes to show that it took some practice for them to get it just right. Indeed, we have many precursor pyramids that have substantial construction flaws in them prior to Kuhfu's pyramid. Their techniques were tempered by prior experiences that weren't so successful.

[Paddy]

labourers... bet they did not get union rates

[Dis]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


Only in the sense of marshalling the resources for them and manpower. Otherwise, nothing in their design required more than basic math. Nothing in their construction required more than thousands upon thousands of laborers and some artisans.

this may already be known. but how did they lift one stone on top of the other?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by GeoModder


No, but the clerics had to be apeased, the troops paid, the workers fed and housed... Failing one of those could mean a quick one-way to the (unfinished) pyramid.

The Pharoah was a god-king- why exactly would he be appeasing the clerics, and what was their controlling role meant to be in constructing the Pyramids ?

Do you know how the workers were paid ?

I do.


Bread and grain. Bread was a staple of the Egyptian diet. It's not like Pharoah was having to call on his off-shore bank accounts in Cyprus.

When due to corruption workers were slow in getting their bread and grain, they did stage a go slow and a sit-in, but the Pharoah did remedy the situation when news reached him.

It's still many levels of bureaucracy and legislation removed from what would happen in a modern day equivalent situation.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Dis
this may already be known. but how did they lift one stone on top of the other?

Ramps and levers. Again, basic technology.

[GeoModder]

Originally posted by molly bloom
The Pharoah was a god-king- why exactly would he be appeasing the clerics, and what was their controlling role meant to be in constructing the Pyramids ?

Do you know how the workers were paid ?

I do.


Bread and grain. Bread was a staple of the Egyptian diet. It's not like Pharoah was having to call on his off-shore bank accounts in Cyprus.

When due to corruption workers were slow in getting their bread and grain, they did stage a go slow and a sit-in, but the Pharoah did remedy the situation when news reached him.

It's still many levels of bureaucracy and legislation removed from what would happen in a modern day equivalent situation.

There's plenty of evidence that certain Pharaoh's went against the mainstream religion of the day, and the priests (merely human as they were ) for sure went against this.

Regarding the workers, with what else would they get paid? It's not like the kingdom was rich enough to be able to pay them with for instance gold, nor was their an inclination to do so since the Pharaoh was God on Earth after all.

Nevertheless, hungry people will riot, neglected troops will find other marshalls and angry priests will plot, whatever status the supreme rules has.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by GeoModder


Nevertheless, hungry people will riot, neglected troops will find other marshalls and angry priests will plot, whatever status the supreme rules has.

Except for the hungry people (presumably representing the labourers working on the construction of the Pyramids) the rest has little to do with pyramid construction.

As far as I'm aware, they didn't riot when they went on strike, they staged a sit-in at a temple. Presumably preferable to death.

I'm aware of alleged plots by the priesthood against Akhenaten, but again, that wasn't to do with the day-to-day business of building pyramids, but with an unorthodox pharoah introducing his own religion.

[GeoModder]

"Riot" being meant in the broadest context possible.

A riot nowadays means violent behaviour, but I presume that a sit-in at the local temple wouldn't be looked upon kindly in ancient Egypt, and sure not the same way as todays' politicians look on it.

[Heresson]

Originally posted by Dis
those aren't civ3 wonders

but on second thought, maybe I should visit Egypt.

Cairo is probably the greatest city in the world when it comes to Muslim architecture (mosques, to be exact). There are other places with greater and nicer buildings, but nowhere there are so many worthwhile ones, imho

Here, I've made a selection for You.