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The Egyptian climate has long been regarded as very healthy – mainly due to its combination of heat and dryness. Many a sufferer from TB in the days before antibiotics was advised to flee the northern damps and travel to Egypt for the good of his or her health. Unfortunately, as studies of mummies have shown, Egypt’s climate brings its own problems: not only are there parasites such as schistomasis(spelling?) not found in cooler climes, but many a mummy has been found suffering from advanced pneumositticosis – more commonly found among miners – as a result of breathing in the sand-laden air.
An additional benefit in which many people have implicit faith is the wisdom of the Egyptians (for modern people, read “supposed wisdom of the ancient Egyptians”), who were thought to be wonderful physicians and skilled practitioners of magic. This is why people in every age have flocked to Egypt in search of a cure.
The other class of visitors to Egypt are, of course, tourists plain and simple, come to gawp at the pyramids and marvel at the mummies. From ancient times when men like Herodotus listened open-mouthed to the claims of the Egyptian priests to modern times when blue-rinsed Americans listen open-mouthed to the equally mendacious claims of the Egyptian guides, the wonders of Egypt have proved a potent draw.
One thing that both classes of visitors have in common is a desire for entertainment when the serious business of seeking health or seeing sights has been done. In modern times this desire is catered for by the rise of hot-air balloon flights, diving in the Red Sea or visits to a belly-dancing club. In ancient times the first two were not available, though the latter, in some form or other, has probaby been around ever since Eve picked a sexier fig leaf.
However we do know of one entertainment that was around in Roman times and can still be found today – the massage parlour. Archaeologists at Qotour in lower Egypt have uncovered a large Roman baths constructed in an attractive pattern of red and yellow bricks. Adjoining rooms, not usually part of the standard lay-out of a Roman baths, appear to have been for the convenience of visitors. One room had a large pot in the centre which was surrounded by a circular bench; the suggestion is that the pot held oil, no doubt scented, with which patrons of the baths could massage themselves. Or, of course, each other.
The excavators found a number of small bronze statues of the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, who was worshipped locally. They also found some gold coins, which may be an indication of prices at this exclusive resort.
September 2002
