The culture of Egypt has been surprisingly influential on Australia from early Colonial times. Its impact increased with the Australian presence in Egypt during WWI and WWII and our adoption of artistic trends sparked by archaeological discoveries from the 19th and early 20th centuries. This course looks at monuments, architecture, gardens and artefacts which are hidden around Australia and reflects on our admiration - indeed our obsession - for ancient Egypt. We will meet some Australians who have had a crucial role to play in the development of Egyptology, and visit some Egyptian collections housed within Australian institutions.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Bricault, L., Versluys, M.J. and P., Meyboom, Eds., 2007, Nile into Tiber: Egypt in the Roman World; proceedings of the 3rd International Conference of Isis Studies, Leiden
• Broadbent, J. and Hughes, J., 1997, Francis Greenway Architect, Sydney
• Crook, D.P., 2012, Grafton Elliot Smith, Egyptology and the Diffusion of Culture, Sussex Academic Press
• Curl, J.S., 1994, Egyptomania: the Egyptian Revival, a recurring theme in the history of taste, Manchester
• Curl, J.S., 2005, The Egyptian Revival: Ancient Egypt as the Inspiration for Designs Motifs in the West, London and New York
• Humbert, J-M, Pantazzi, M., and Zeigler, C., 1994, Egyptomania: Ancient Egypt in nineteenth century literary culture, New York
• Humbert, J-M and Price, C., Eds., 2011, Imhotep Today: Egyptianizing Architecture, New York
• Inglis, K.S., 2008, 3rd Ed., Sacred Places: War Memorials in the Australian Landscape, Melbourne
• Mayes, S., 2003, The Great Belzoni: The Circus Strongman who Discovered Egypt’s Ancient Treasures, London
• McGregor, A., 2014, A Forger’s Progress: The Life of Francis Greenway, available as an e-book
• Ockinga, B.G., and Sowada, K.N., 2006, Egyptian Art in the Nicholson Museum, Meditarch Publications – NB: This collection is now in the Chau Chak Wink Museum, Sydney University
• Rendell, M., 2022, The Grand Tour
• Siliotti, A.,1998, Egypt Lost and Found: Explorers and Travellers on the Nile, London
• Tyldesley, J., Egypt: How a Lost Civilisation was rediscovered, 2006, London (a BBC book published to coincide with their excellent DVD dramatization of the same book)

COURSE OUTLINE

• An introduction to the trend for Egyptian cultural influence from the time of Romans through to the Napoleonic era
• Some Neo Egyptian trends in Europe and Britian
• The transmission of neo-Egyptian architecture and art into Australia from the earliest Colonial times up until WWII
• An examination of the neo-Egyptian monuments, buildings and artefacts in Australia
• A poignant glimpse at the Australian troops in Egypt during WWI
• Australians on the Grand tour and the origins of some of our museums’ Egyptian collections
• Egyptology in Australia

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have a basic understanding of the origins of the profound interest in Egyptian culture and religion from ancient Rome to the modern era – and how certain triggers such as the Napoleonic Wars, the “Grand Tour”, and key archaeological discoveries led to the rise of the Neo- Egyptian artistic movements.
2. Know how neo Egyptian influence entered into Australia and the role of early architects such as Francis Greenway in adopting this style
3. Plan an itinerary for visiting neo Egyptian buildings, monuments and collections around Australia and put them in context of the wider craze for Egyptomania in Europe, Britain and America
4. Have a better understanding of Australia’s active role in modern Egyptology