Deserts Around The Globe Questions
Some famous desert myths and legends include:
1. The Legend of the Lost City of Atlantis: According to the Greek philosopher Plato, Atlantis was a powerful and advanced civilization that existed beyond the Pillars of Hercules (believed to be the Strait of Gibraltar) and was swallowed by the sea. Some theories suggest that Atlantis could have been located in the Sahara Desert.
2. The Curse of the Pharaohs: This myth revolves around the belief that anyone who disturbs the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs will be cursed with bad luck or even death. The most famous example is the curse associated with the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
3. The Arabian Nights: Also known as One Thousand and One Nights, this collection of Middle Eastern folk tales includes stories set in the Arabian Desert. These tales feature mythical creatures, magical objects, and heroic characters like Aladdin and Sinbad the Sailor.
4. The City of Ubar: Ubar, also known as the "Atlantis of the Sands," is a legendary lost city mentioned in ancient Arabian and Islamic texts. It was said to be a prosperous trading center located in the Rub' al Khali desert (Empty Quarter) of the Arabian Peninsula.
5. The Ghostly Ship of the Desert: This legend tells the story of a ghostly ship that appears to travelers in the deserts of North Africa. It is said to be a cursed vessel that lures people to their doom, vanishing as they approach it.
These are just a few examples of the many fascinating myths and legends associated with deserts around the globe.