The Influence of Ancient Egypt on British Culture
Submitted by Andy_B on Tuesday, 28 October 2025 Page Views: 87
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Many ancient civilisations have shaped the world we live in today. Either through science, philosophy, or the arts, modern Britain takes a degree of influence from them all. Aside from those who have made their mark by invading the country, few have had the influence ancient Egypt has on Britain. So why do we turn to this African country as opposed to others like the Mayan civilisation or the Shang dynasties for so much inspiration?The Start of Egyptomania
The real British fascination with Egypt began in the Victorian era. From the late part of the 1700s, treasures were being filtered across Europe due to the Napoleonic wars. Once the Rosetta stone was deciphered, an ancient tablet that helped us understand hieroglyphics, the door was unlocked.Politically, Britain was also becoming more aligned with the North African area during this time. The Suez Canal was finished in 1869, making Egypt a key part of the British Empire's growth. Ships could now get a passage to India much quickly, increasing the speed of trade in the empire.
The Cultural Influence on Today’s Britain
Egypt’s cultural influence stems from the many writers who used its lore as a fictional platform. Arthur Conan Doyle wrote Lot No. 249, which gave rise to the idea of a reanimated mummy brought back to life to terrorise humanity. The themes of ancient temples, curses, lost treasures, and superstition have continued ever since, on the silver screen in Universal Studios' famous Mummy franchise, to video games like Tomb Raider.The iGaming sector is one that has really mined the imagery and graphics of Ancient Egypt to maximum impact. Its links to treasure and gold naturally resonate with slot themes, so many different titles along those lines have been created. These include titles like Eye of Horus: Legacy of Gold and Code of Cairo.
These games have increased in popularity due to the abundance of slots promotions. New players can get credit and matched deposits, along with free spins. This lets players try out games before they make a financial commitment. It also lets them get used to the mechanics of the title.
Egypt’s Influence on the Britain Around Us
The inclusion of Egyptian-style architecture in buildings was surprisingly rare, considering the impact the civilisation had. However, this often just had the effect of making it stand out even more. One of the first was the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London. Built in 1812, it was created to house William Bullock's display of curiosities. However, it was knocked down in 1905.Outside of the capital, the textile haven of Leeds also saw its influence. The Temple Hill Works was a mill used for flax weaving. It was designed to look like an Egyptian temple with detailed columns in the given style. Designed by Ignatius Bonomi, the design has often been attributed to his brother Joseph Bonomi.
Thus, Egypt is ingrained in British culture in a range of ways. From popular culture and entertainment to the buildings we use and inhabit, it remains a defining influence. For many more years, it seems it will continue to shape how we think and entertain ourselves.
With many thanks to David Hoffman for the Creative Commons photo above.
Note: A linocut of the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London, made in 1828
