Movie Review: The Rise of Skywalker

This past Monday I saw the final chapter of the Star Wars Saga, the Rise of Skywalker, in theaters with my dad in Fort Wayne. Now I must confess I walked into this thing with low expectations, having been quite disappointed with the previous film, The Last Jedi. However I can say for the most part I found the film to be quite entertaining, with still a few disappointments which I will address. I found this film to be much better than The Last Jedi and overall a satisfying conclusion to the saga.

I realize many traditionalists are strongly against these Disney saga films, and I slightly do agree with them as an old school Star Wars fan myself. I thought The Force Awakens was practically a clone of A New Hope, and was disgusted with what the writers did to Luke Skywalker's character in The Last Jedi. However as a lifelong Star Wars fan I suppose I felt it as an obligation to see the story thru, and that's exactly what I did with this last episode. (On a side note I will say for the record that I am a fan of Disney's spin off series such as Rogue One, Solo, and The Mandalorian, so to be fair they haven't completely destroyed the Star Wars universe).

Palpatine's Return

I'll have a full plot analysis below here, so from this point on there will be spoilers. Before I recap the plot, I want to point out two of my biggest complaints with the story. The 1st is the return of Emperor Palpatine after being killed by Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi. I consider this to be poor writing when you resurrect a dead character, especially in the case of Palpatine, whose death marked the crucial victory of the rebellion as well the rightful conclusion to Anakin's story. Yet everything that was resolved in Return of the Jedi was thrown out the door when the Disney writers decided to bring back Palpatine as the chief villain once again.

Also it is never made clear exactly how Palpatine returns. Sure he's a very powerful sith lord capable of defying death, but still an explanation would be nice. For the record I also was not a fan of the return of Darth Maul in the Clone Wars series, who was presumed dead upon being cut in half by Obi Wan Kenobi. Maul's restoration was at least explained in the animated series. The theories to Palpatine's return are numerous, the most common being from a cloning of his spirit (Voldermot style). Surely a new series or film will expand upon this mystery, however I still dislike how they leave us in the dark on it all, yet even more so that they decided to bring his character back at all. 


Unresolved Love Triangle

My 2nd complaint on this movie, was the complicated love triangle between the characters Rey, Finn, Poe (and to some extent Ben Solo). Throughout this trilogy Rey has had various love interests. In the first film it seemed Finn was in love with Rey, then in the 2nd film it seemed Finn was drawn to Rose Tico while Ben Solo became drawn to Rey, now in this third movie it seemed both Finn and Poe were in love with Rey (as well as Ben Solo).

The complexity of this relationship only got deeper when it appeared Finn had dropped his interest for Rose and found a new relationship with a fellow ex-stormtrooper, Jannah. Poe as well had another relationship with a bounty hunter named Zorii Bliss. It seemed that Poe and Finn would happily get over Rey and each have their own boos, while Rey would settle with Ben Solo and everyone would ride off happily into the sunset, however that was not the case at all. The love triangle was unresolved in that Jannah went off on a mission with Lando, Zorii Bliss insisted she was not interested in Poe, and Ben Solo died. Therefore the end of the movie leaves us with the threesome hugging one another as friends, or lovers, and we cannot be sure whom Rey would choose.


The Story

After escaping from the New Order, the Resistance is able to regroup and Rey is able to continue her Jedi training under Princess Leia. Meanwhile Kylo Ren hunts down Emperor Palpatine and discovers a massive fleet of Star Destroyers that can destroy planets. Palpatine shares his plan with Kylo to restore the Galactic Empire and to eliminate Rey. Kylo Ren sets off in search for Rey with his band of knights. Meanwhile Finn and Poe are able to gather information that Palpatine is hiding on the planet Exegol and set off on a mission with Rey, Chewie, BB8, and C-3PO to locate him.

They travel to the planet of Pasaana, where during a great festival they meet with Lando Calrissian who is able to show them the clues they need to locate Palpatine. However Kylo Ren is able to locate Rey and the two have a fight which causes Rey to destroy a transport ship with her powers. At this point it is presumed that Chewbacca is killed in the transport and Rey, Finn, and Poe must escape from Kylo and the New Order. They travel to the planet of Kijimi to extract Sith information located in C-3POs memory.

On the planet they find one of Poe's old acquaintances, Zorii Bliss who shows them someone who can extract C-3POs memory. When they retrieve the information they need from 3PO, Rey realizes that a star destroyer has tracked them and has Chewbacca on board. With the help of Zorii Bliss they sneak onto the destroyer to free Chewbacca, meanwhile Rey faces off with Kylo Ren yet again. Finn, Poe, and Chewbacca are captured on the destroyer yet are freed by General Hux who tells them he is their spy. After they are freed, Hux is discovered and executed. Kylo informs Rey that she is the granddaughter of Palpatine, which explains how she is so naturally powerful. Kylo pleads her to join him and defeat Palpatine, however Rey chooses to escape on-board the Millenium Falcon with Chewie, Finn, and Poe.

The group travels to the planet of Kef Bir, where they find the remains of the Death Star and the tool they need to locate Palpatine. On the planet they meet a group of New Order deserters, such as Jannah who develops a relationship with Finn. Once again Kylo Ren engages Rey in battle and nearly kills her, until Leia intercedes thru the force, causing Leia to die. Rey is able to kill Kylo at this point, however she immediately heals him when she realizes Leia's sacrifice. At this point Kylo Ren realizes his conflict and takes upon his former identity as Ben Solo.

Rey travels to the dark planet of Exegol to seek out Palpatine and gives the Resistance a trail on how to get there. She eventually finds him and the Sith lord declares that she is indeed his granddaughter and the rightful ruler of the new Galactic Empire. Palpatine insists she kill him to take on his full power, which Rey refuses. Meanwhile the Resistance navy arrive on the planet of Exegol to attack Palpatine's fleet of Star Destroyers, and are later reinforced by Lando and a massive fleet of civilians.

While the battle ensues in space, Rey is suddenly joined by Ben Solo who hope to overpower Palpatine. However Palpatine easily launches Ben Solo off a cliff, and then attacks Rey. Rey is weakened at first but is able to regain her strength with the help of various jedi voices thru the force. She is then able to kill Palpatine with both the lightsabers of Luke and Leia, however this action also causes her to lose her life. However at this point Ben Solo arrives to revive Rey, as she did to him, yet in doing so he sacrifices his life. With Palpatine dead and the fleet destroyed it appears order has returned once again to the galaxy.


The New Characters

Rey (Daisy Ridley): She steals the show yet again with her incredible raw power. While she is quite under trained she possesses a natural power unlike any before her, and this makes perfect sense when it is revealed that she is the granddaughter of Palpatine. 

Kyle Ren/Ben Solo (Adam Driver): He is yet again the conflicted villain that everyone dislikes, who is clearly too weak to face Rey. He hopes to defeat the emperor with the help of Rey so together they can rule the galaxy. However he is able to redeem his villainous character in returning to his former self of Ben Solo, most especially when he sacrifices his life to save Rey.

Finn (John Boyega): His character is especially annoying in this film as he is obsessed with Rey and constantly trying to save someone who is very capable of taking care of herself. It appears he develops a new relationship with another ex-stormtrooper in Jannah, however in the end she sets off on her own adventure and Finn is left with his obsession for Rey.

Poe (Oscar Isaac): He is yet again the hot-headed heroic pilot who develops feelings for Rey as well as the bounty hunter Zorii Bliss. He admirably leads various missions including the final attack on the fleet of star destroyers.

Jannah (Naomi Ackie): A former storm trooper who has deserted the New Order and helps Rey locate the Sith Wayfinder and helps Finn attach the Star Destroyer. It appears she has a strong relationship with Finn, however in the end she sets off on her own adventure with Lando to locate her parents.

Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o): She returns as the wise old figure of the Resistance.

General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson): He becomes the spy for the Resistance due to his great dislike of Kylo Ren. He is able to free Poe, Finn, and Chewbacca however he is later discovered and executed.

Zorii Bliss (Kerri Russell): She is a bounty hunter on the planet of Kimiji and an old acquaintance of Poe. She helps Poe and his friends fight off the empire, and while Poe demonstrates feelings for her, the feeling is not mutual.

Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran): She is a mechanic who appeared to have feelings for Finn, however her story is somewhat downgraded in this film, as a fighter for the Resistance.

BB-8: The fast moving, fast thinking droid reprises his heroic role on-board the Millenium Falcon helping his friends in every way he can. He is always by Rey's side especially at the end when she returns to Tatooine to bury Luke and Leia's lightsabers.


The Old Characters

Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher): Her role in this film is quite minimal, especially given the fact that Carrie Fisher passed away three years ago. However she plays a key role in sacrificing her life in using the force to dissuade her son Ben Solo from killing Kylo.

Palpatine (Ian McDairmid): His return as the dark lord is a controversial and a questionable one, however he yet again reprises his role as the chief arch-villain. He builds a massive fleet of planet destroying star destroyers, and attempts to convince his granddaughter to take his place as emperor.

Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams): The smooth talking smuggler reprises his classic role to aid the Resistance. He first informs them on the location of a Wayfinder clue, then he partners with Chewbacca to pilot the Millennium Falcon and recruit a massive navy of civilians to attack Palpatine's fleet. He is a most welcome familiar character and has several comedic and heroic moments in the movie. 

Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo): Chewie revives his likable role as the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon and a brave fighter in combat. He mourns the loss for Princess Leia more than anyone, and heroically teams up with Lando to gather a massive navy of civilians against Palpatine's fleet.

C-3PO (Anthony Daniels): The actor of C-3PO makes his impressive 9th appearance in the Star Wars Saga, and plays a much larger role in this film than the others. He is able to decipher the Sith Code, but is unable to recite it and must have his memory extracted so his friends can recover the data. His memory is later recovered by his long time pal, R2-D2.

R2-D2: Has a small role in the film, hanging back with Leia during the Falcon's missions.

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill): His ghost visits Rey to convince her to attack Palpatine and he is able to offer his X-Wing fighter as the transport she needs to travel.

Han Solo (Harrison Ford): He visits his son Ben Solo in a vision, confirming the end of Kylo Ren and the return of his former identity.

Study of Egyptian Mythology

Continuing with this recent fascination of Egypt antiquity, I now turn my attention to the rich topic of Egyptian Mythology. It is a subject that has always intrigued me in the likes of Greek, Roman, or Nordic mythology. It is without question one of the earliest forms of practiced religion that influenced many great empires to follow. Egyptian mythology demonstrates a wide array of stories, gods, heroes, and beliefs that essentially provide a look into ancient Egyptian society. 

I consider myself somewhat adept in the stories of Greek mythology, however know very little of it's historical predecessor in Egypt. I have heard of the characters of Ra, Osiris, and Anubis yet do not know their mythical stories. To think that many of it's stories date back to 4000 BC, one could make the case that this provides the origins of human religion. These gods were the source of life for Egyptians, and were worshiped thru monumental buildings, tombs, and ancient hieroglyphic writings on the walls. In this post I want to better understand the major myths of Egypt as well as their most important deities.

Creation Myth

While there are various versions of the creation myth throughout Ancient Egypt's history it still shares common similarities. The basis belief is that of "ma-at", the transition from chaos to order. It is generally believed that before creation the universe was a lifeless void of dark water and chaos referred to as Nu. However the great god, Atum (also known as Ptah) arose from a pyramid shaped mound known as the ben-ben to create life. He gave birth to Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the god of the waters who established the principles of life and order.

Shu and Tefnut left their father to further explore the new universe which made their father sad, and he sent an eye in search of them. Shu and Tefnut later returned their farther's eye back to him, and overcome with joy Atum shed tears that brought life to the universe. Shu and Tefnut mated to create the earth god, Geb and the sky goddess Nut to oversee the new life that had been created. Geb and Nut mated together to produce the four major gods of Egyptian mythology; Osiris, the god of fertility, Isis the goddess of motherhood, Set, the god of chaos; and Nephthys, the goddess of death. These nine gods made up the primary deities of Egyptian mythology known as the Ennead which was first practiced in the city of Heliopolis.

I will mostly focus on the Ennead version of Egyptian mythology, however think it is important to note the various other versions. Egypt was after all a vast region with a very long history that was constantly evolving. The city of Hermopolis practiced a different creation myth in what was known as the Ogdad. This consisted of eight gods, including the dark void that was Nu, took part in a major upheaval which brought upon the aforementioned ben-ben pyramid-mound, the rising of a sun, and thus life to the universe.

The ancient city of Thebes put more emphasis on the god Amun, whom was a member of the Ogdad and believed to be the greatest of all gods. Their belief was that it was Amun who created the universe and all other gods mentioned in the Ogdad and the Ennead were merely aspects of Amun. This belief was practiced later in the timeline of Ancient Egypt, and did not take shape until the establishment of the New Kingdom in 1500 BCs when Thebes became the center of Egypt.


Osiris Myth

One of the most influential of the Egyptian myths is the story pertaining to the god Osiris. He was the eldest of the earth god's 4 children, and administered over mankind with his sister Isis. He was the utmost protector of righteousness and enacted the harmonious principles of "ma-at" in all that he did. However his brother Set grew jealous of Osiris' glory and had him killed (thru various accounts) and placed his body in a coffin in the Nile. Set represented chaos and disorder, and went on to assume the kingship over everything.

Meanwhile Isis refused to accept her brother's death, and was joined by her sister Nephthys to search for Osiris' body. With the help of other funerary deities such as Annubis and Thoth, the sisters are able to find Osiris' body and begin restoring it thru magical healing powers. The restoration of Osiris's dead body becomes the basis for Egyptian burial practices often associated with mummies. His restoration also serves as yet another example of Egyptian's belief in the after-life or reincarnation.

Following the restoration of Osiris' body, his evil brother Set grows worried Osiris may return to power and is able to convince their sister Nepththys to tell him where the body is located. Set then has Osiris' body mutilated and the parts scattered all across Egypt, which later become holy sites. Once again Isis and Nephthys search the lands of Egypt for their brother and are able to collect and re-assemble his parts (all but his penis which was eaten by a fish). Isis is able to magically create a new penis for Osiris and together they mate to create their son, Horus. Although Osiris is returned to life, he is unable to return to the world since he is incomplete and must thenceforth rule the underworld.

Upon the birth of Horus, Isis must travel and hide her son from her wicked brother, Set. The young Horus undergoes many obstacles throughout his childhood always hunted by Set, yet also protected by other magical deities. In his adulthood Horus is finally able to challenge his uncle Set for the throne. Through various accounts the conflict wages on for many years and ultimately Horus is able to defeat Set and banish him from Egypt. (Some accounts indicate that the kingdom is divided, others that Set is banished to the deserts, while others that Set is entirely destroyed). However in the end Horus rules the kingdom of Egypt with the counsel of his mother Isis, his aunt Nepththys, and various other righteous deities.


The Sun God

By 2500 BC one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian mythology was that of Ra, the sun god. It was believed that he controlled the sun, which was the ultimate power and source of life. He was worshiped as the king of the gods and mankind, and as the creator of everything (perhaps in the likes of Atum). He is usually depicted with the body of a human, head of a falcon, and a solar disc with a cobra (which represents his deadly "Eye of Ra").

There are many accounts of which Ra would send out his eye to punish those who committed wrongdoings and plotted against him. His eye took on the form of a goddess who often had a mind of her own and was often considered a separate deity from Ra. The Eye of Ra is the female counterpart to Ra who acts as his lover, protector, and his utmost muscle. Separated they are still formidable deities, whilst together they are the most powerful beings in the universe.

Another interesting aspect of this myth concerning Ra, is the daily journey of the sun. It is believed that each morning Ra rises to power and reaches his full strength in the afternoon when the sun is shining it's brightest. Throughout his daily journey Ra must undergo various obstacles such his arch-rival Apep, a serpent god who represents disorder. His journey is aided by other important deities whom become the stars at night. At sunset Ra enter's the under-realm, known as the "Duat", where he re-unites with Osiris, the god of the dead. This merging of the two gods represents the balance of life-and-death and the daily cycle of life. In a broader sense it also represents the basis of reincarnation which was a very important aspect of ancient Egyptian belief.


Famous Egyptian Gods

Atum: (Also known as Ptah or Tem) He is considered the god of creation, who arose from the ben-ben pyramid in the dark void of Nu, to create life. He fathered Shu and Tefnut and his tears created mankind.

Shu: He is the son of Atum and brother to Tefnut. He is associated with the wind, the air, peace, and lions. He explored the new universe with his sister Tefnut, and fathered Geb and Nut. He is often represented as a human with a feather on top his hand.

Tefnut: (Also known as Tphenis) She is the daughter of Atum and the sister to Shu. She is associated with water, moisture, dew, and rain. She gave birth to Geb and Nut. She is often represented as a lioness with a sun disk sitting on top her head.

Geb: He is the son of Shu and Tefnut and the father to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. He is associated as the earth god, overseeing the land, the crops, vegetation, earthquakes, snakes, and fertility. He is often represented as a human with a goose sitting on top of his head.

Nut: She is the daughter of Shu and Tefnut and the mother to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. She is associated as the goddess of the sky, the stars, the cosmos, and astronomy. She is often represented as a woman carrying a water pot on top her head, or depicted as a cow with her children suckling upon her.

Osiris: He is the eldest son of Geb and Nut, and one of the most well known of the Egyptian Gods. Who served as king over the universe with his sister, Isis until he was murdered by Set. He thus became the king of the underworld. Osiris is associated with the afterlife, death, resurrection, fertility, agriculture, vegetation, and life. He is depicted as a kingly man wearing a crown with green skin that represents rebirth.

Isis: She is the sister to Osiris, who reigned as queen alongside her brother until he was murdered. She then went on a quest to recover Osiris' body, assist him in resurrection, and give birth to their child Horus. She is associated as the mother goddess yet also plays a significant role in funeral practices for her role in aiding Osiris' resurrection.

Set: He is the wicked brother of Osiris, often associated as the god of chaos. He grew jealous of his brother's righteous reign and had him murdered so that he could rule. Set was later challenged and defeated by his nephew, the son of Osiris and Isis, Horus. Set is associated with disorder, violence, fire, storms, envy, trickery, and all other forms of wrongdoing. He is represented with the head of a aardvark often referred to as the set animal, an evil beast. 

Nephthys: She is the youngest sister of Osiris, often associated as the goddess of mourning. She helped her sister Isis search and restore the dead body of their brother, however she also displayed weakness by telling her evil brother Set where the body was hidden. She is also associated with funeral rights alongside her sister Isis, as well as the rivers, the night, service, childbirth, protection, the home, the hearth, coffins, burial, and the dead. She is depicted with the body of a woman carrying a house on her head, or as a falcon mourning for those that have passed.

Horus: He is the son of Osiris and Isis, who later rose up to avenge his father and defeat the wicked usurper Set. He is considered among the most significant of the Egyptian Gods for his reign as king and over-looker of the skies. He was considered the guardian and protector of Ancient Egyptian society and his Eye of Horus served as a symbol of his ever-watching protection. He is often depicted with the body of man, dressed in the robes and crown of a king, and the head of a falcon.

Ra: Although he is not considered a part of the original Ennead gods, he became one of the central deities in the New Kingdom of the 25th century. He is associated as the king of gods, ruling over the earth, the sky, the underworld, and most especially the sun. His daily journey from morning to night represent the journey of mankind from life into death. His enforcer is also his mistress known as the Eye of Ra, who brings swift justice upon those in the wrong. He is often depicted with the body of a human, the head of a falcon, and a sun-disk wrapped around a cobra which represents his female counterpart, the Eye of Ra.

Annubis: His parents are questionable often associated as the child of Set and Nephthys, the child of Osiris, or the child of the sun-god Ra. However one thing remains constant is his association to the underworld. Annubis played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth, helping Isis and Nephthy's restore and resurrect his dead body back to life. Annubis has become of the most recognizable gods in Egyptian mythology associated with everything to do with death; the afterlife, tombs, cemeteries, embalming, mummies, and so forth. He has a very iconic portrayal with the body of a human and the head of a black canine.

Thoth: His parents and origins are unknown, yet alongside Annubis, he played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth. He was able to use magic to help Isis and Nepthys revive the dead body of Osiris. In other stories he is regarded as the leader of the Ogdad, also the god of the moon. He is often associated with wisdom, magic, science, writing, hieroglyphics, and the dead. His wife is Maat, the goddess of balance and his daughter is Seshat, the leopard goddess of writing and knowledge.

Amun: (Also known as Amun-Ra with his infusion of the sun-god) He is not associated with the original Ennead, however in later ancient Egypt, during the New Kingdom years, he became viewed as the father god. He represented a fusion of polytheistic gods into one central monotheistic deity. He was considered the god of all gods, yet also a champion for the poor and spirituality. He is often represented in a kingly fashion with a crown of plumes, robes, and holding the ankh (symbol for life). He is sometimes compared to Zeus in Greek Mythology.

Mut: She is the wife of Amun-ra, and regarded as the mother goddess during the New Kingdom. She is also the mother of Khonso, god of the moon. She is represented as a royal woman wearing a crown and a vulture upon her head and carrying the iconic ankh symbol. 

Historical Look: Ancient Egypt

So I've recently embarked on a new video game called Assassin's Creed: Origins, that has stimulated my historical interests. I played the original game, back in 2012 and really enjoy the historical settings of the franchise. The premise of this game is as the title suggests the origins of the assassin's cult and fittingly takes place at the origins of civilization, in Ancient Egypt. I am about half way thru the game and will later have a full recap of it once I am finished with it. For now however I want to dive deep into this historical context that has always interested me; that of Ancient Egypt.

I am quite aware that Ancient Egypt was the first major civilization in human history. Long before the Persian Dynasties took shape, or the conquests of the Greeks, or the rise of the mighty Roman Empire there were the Egyptians. It was Ancient Egypt who laid the foundation of society thru it's polytheistic religion, economics, mathematics, glorious architecture, and a class structure that thrived off of slavery. In this post I am going to capture a general timeline of the rise and fall of Ancient Egypt. I'd like to better understand the reign of pharaohs, the monumental buildings they constructed such as the Pyramids, and their unique beliefs regarding multiple deities and the afterlife.


The Rise of Ancient Egypt

Throughout history every great civilization has thrived from it's geographical surroundings and this was certainly the case for Egypt. While the bulk of Egypt is a desert, they have the Mediterranean Sea to their north, the Red Sea to their east, and the root to all their power flowed thru the Nile, the longest river in the world. It was thru the Nile that Egyptians were able to travel, trade, and establish a civilization that became one of the greatest in the pre-historic ages.

By approximately 5500 BC, tribes had begun to develop along the Nile River in Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Some of the most notable of these tribes were the Badarian Culture who resided in Upper Egypt and introduced new agriculture techniques. They were later followed by the Naqada culture who introduced new tools to further evolve their farming systems. It was the Naqada culture that introduced the earliest forms of written language in the Hieroglyphics around 4000 BC.

The unification of Egypt into one kingdom happened quite gradually however the establishment of the city of Memphis in 3000 BC was a major turning point. The city was strategically developed by the war-king Narmer as a means to control his labor force as well as his rich deposit of agriculture from the delta of the Nile. The city essentially unified Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt into one kingdom, that eventually became the city of Cairo and the center of the Egyptian Old Kingdom.


The Age of Pyramids (Old Kingdom)

With the establishment of the city Memphis, came a new golden age of civilization brought on by technological advancements in architecture, agriculture, art, and administration. It was the Third Dynasty of Egyptian Kings that brought on this prosperous age of expansion that begun around approx 2686 BC. The first notable king of this age was Djoser and his loyal vizier, Imhotep, who brought about a wave of construction throughout the city, such as the monumental Step Pyramid completed in 2648 BC.

During this time, the independent ancient Egyptian states known as nomes fell under the rule of the King and were thus held to tax collection. The pharaoh was worshiped as a god who controlled the flow of the Nile River, the rising of the sun, and the production of agriculture. By the 4th Dynasty, the Old Kingdom began to reach it's true glory under the reign of Sneferu in 2613 BC. He commissioned three pyramids in Dahshur known as the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid.

Sneferu's pyramids of Dahshur served as precursors to the Great Pyramids of Giza, commissioned by his son Khufu in 2589 BC. The project was continued by his son, Khafra who oversaw the completion of the 2nd pyramid as well as the Sphinx of Giza. The third pyramid was completed under the reign of King Menkaure in 2510 BC. The pyramids still stand to this day as ancient wonders of the world and the utmost symbol of Egyptian culture. 

Many of these pyramids were built as holy shrines for the kings to pass over to the afterlife, and their tombs were loaded with rich treasure. However by the 5th dynasty a movement away from the construction of pyramids was replaced by the building of temples for the sun god Ra. Also during this time the Egyptian kingdom began to expand further south into the Nubian Dessert and the Sudan. Their trade interests evolved beyond the Red Sea with the discoveries of ebony, myrrh, frankincense, gold, and copper.

By the 6th Dynasty, the kings began to lose their god-like status and were slowly replaced by the authority of regional governors known as nomarchs. The long reign of Pepi II from 2278-2184 BC is often accredited with the eventual decline of the Old Kingdom, that brought on internal struggles and civil wars following his death. The final straw came with a major drought in 2200 BC, that caused widespread famine and strife for decades. This brought about an end to the Old Kingdom and a 140 year period of strife known as the First Intermediate Period.


The Middle Kingdom

By around 2055 BC, the Egyptian region experienced a resurgence of prosperity under the reign of the pharaoh Mentuhotep II. Mentuhotep II was able to bring an end to the years of famine and political division and reunited the region into one kingdom. This 11th Dynasty ruled from the Lower Egyptian region of Thebes and re-consolidated their power as a monarchy in which the pharaoh was once again viewed as a god. During this Period of Reunification the region became very militarized and the 12th Dynasty under the leadership of Amenemhat established great defensive fortifications. However Amenemhat's authoritative claim was heavily disputed and he was eventually assassinated in a conspiracy plot in 1962 BC. However his son, Senurset I retained control of the throne and furthered the region's defenses for his 46 year reign.

The height of the middle kingdom age came during the reign of the 12th dynasty, particularly the warrior king Sensuret III from 1878 to 1839 BC. He lead many military campaigns of which he often led from the field, and established a strong military and economic kingdom. This gave way to a revival of Egyptian craft work, arts, trade, and city development. It was during this time that the famous warrior police force known as the medjay were instituted to protect the pharoah's interests. Sensuret III reigned for 39 years, and his son Amenemhet III carried on his father's economic prosperity thru a booming age of resource development.

Amenemhet III brought in massive labor forces from the eastern lands to further the mining and building campaigns of the kingdom. After his long 45 year reign the kingdom had begun to quarrel over succession issues and lost much of it's power. Much of this was due to new contention from the Canaanite settlers, known as the Hyskos who began to settle in the Delta region of Egypt. The Egyptian kings were eventually forced to relocate to the southern area of Thebes, where they were contested by the Kushite and Nubian kingdoms. This essentially marked an end to the Middle Kingdom age, and a period of disarray and war known as the Second Intermediate Period which lasted from approx 1650-1550 BC.


The Age of Pharaohs (New Kingdom)

After nearly 100 years of territorial battle, the Egyptians centered in Thebes were finally able to drive out the Nubians from the south and defeat the Hyskos in the north. With these military victories, the pharaoh Ahmose I thus established the 18th dynasty and returned Egypt to it's former glory. He was able to secure his territory with new diplomatic relations with the Canaanites and Assyrians. His son Tuthmosis I, and his grandson Tuthmosis III waged further military campaigns to expand the kingdom into one of the largest empires Egypt had ever experienced. At this era the kings of Egypt were now officially referred to as "pharaohs".

During this golden age of Ancient Egypt new building initiatives were carried forth beginning with the queen pharaoh, Hatsheput in 1479 BC. Massive temple complex were built in the region of Karnak to glorify their achievements yet furthermore to worship the god Amun. In 1350 BC a drastic religious change was implemented by the pharaoh Akhenaten and his royal wife Nefertiti, which made Aten as the supreme deity over all. This sharp change in polytheistic tradition, known as the Amarna Period, was met with great distaste, and after Akhenaten's 20 year reign, his son Tutankhamun erase his father's radical beliefs and restored the ancient polytheistic religion.

In 1279 BC one of the most famous of all pharaohs ascended to the throne, Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great and his famous royal wife Nefertari. Ramesses' claim to greatness was his 66 year reign that oversaw a boom of monumental construction, military conquests, and economic wealth. He led his forces against the Hittite Empire in the Battle of Kadesh in 1274, often considered one of the largest battles to it's date. While it was considered a tactical victory for Ramesses the conflict remained unsettled and thus a peace treaty was agreed upon.

However following Ramesses' reign many new invaders sought to challenge Egypt's glorious kingdom. They were able to repel many of the attacks, however their massive empire had enemies on all sides. There were Libyan tribes to the west, sea pirates from the Agean Sea, and the Assyrian Empire invading it's southern region of Canaan. By around 1069 BC, the Egyptian empire had lost much of it's southern territory to the Assyrian Empire, and this essentially brought about the Third Intermediate Period. From this point on the glory days of Egypt had passed and they were more-or-less vassal states of other empires. 


Egypt under Persian and Macedonian Conquest

Egypt's prosperity declined further and further under Assyrian influence. By around 700 BC the Kushite Egyptians had begun a military campaign to drive out the Assyrians yet ultimately lost at the Sacking of Thebes in 663 BC. However ten years later in 653 BC, the Egyptian Saite king Psamtik I was able to ally with the Greeks to regain the northern regions and drive out the Assyrians. For a brief era Egypt was able to rebuild it's culture and economy however under Greek influence. However by 525 BC the Persian Empire invaded Egypt once again, led by the powerful Cambyses II. Following various revolts, Egypt eventually became a vassal state controlled by the Persians.

In 332 BC the Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great was able to invade the Persian-occupied land of Egypt with minimal resistance. He was welcomed by the Egyptians as a hero and Alexander became inspired by the rich history and heritage of Egypt's land. He built the capital city of Alexandria as a center for learning and trade. The Library of Alexandria housed one of the largest collection of scrolls in the world. The Lighthouse of Alexandria became the monumental beacon of the city that welcomed in merchant ships and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Under Greek control Egypt was able to thrive as a Ptolemaic Kingdom that honored it's old cultural traditions. New buildings and temples were constructed to honor Egypt's new age. However still the two cultures merged and co-existed with one another for some time, which gave way to Egyptian rebellions against the Greek influence. By around 200 BC, the Romans had become the new power of the Mediterranean region and began trade with Egypt. In order to stabilize their interests in the midst of internal conflict, Rome began sending forces into the region.


Cleopatra and the Roman Conquest

The civil conflict in Ptolemaic Egypt reached it's tipping point in 50 BC when there was a joint reign between Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra is one of the most iconic of Egyptian rulers and also the most fascinating figures in history. Her seductive love affair with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony nearly ruined the Roman Empire and restored the Egyptian Kingdom to its prominence. I have written on this topic before, The Start of the Roman Empire, after watching the great 1963 film starring the stunning Elizabeth Taylor.

Caesar attempted to bring peace between the rival siblings, however he ultimately favored the much more seductive Cleopatra. The two secretly had a love affair, which produced a son named Caesarion heavily frowned upon by Roman officials. However before Cleopatra could fully take advantage of this new relationship, Caesar was assassinated by the Roman senate in 44 BC who feared his plans to become dictator. Cleopatra however found another strong ally in the Roman commander Marc Antony and she was able to seduce his love. The marriage between Marc Antony and Cleopatra was very controversial to many Roman officials, including Octavian who later declared war upon Egypt.

The Final War of the Roman Republic was a major turning point for the collapse of Egyptian antiquity and the rise of the Roman Empire. And at the center of it all was the enticing queen Cleopatra and her brave lover Marc Antony. However Cleopatra's story ended in tragedy, and following her defeat at the Battle of Actium the two committed suicide. Her son Ceasarion was executed shortly after by Octavian who established Egypt as a Roman Province in 30 BC. From this point on the Roman Empire ruled with a tight grip over Egypt until it's eventual collapse in the middle ages.

Bucket List: Stadiums to Visit

After recently working my first game ever at Soldier Field, I was satisfied that I was finally able to check this off my bucket list. Hard to believe that after being born in Chicago, lived there for a full year in 2008, and after many visits I have never been to Soldier Field until now. This historic home of the Chicago Bears is a very impressive stadium, as it blends old fashioned Romanesque columns with a modern renovation. After visiting this stadium it got me to consider the historical stadiums I have thus far gotten to experience such as Yankee Stadium, Old Trafford, Wrigley Field, The Ohio State, and the Big House at Michigan to name a fame. Yet also the other sports stadiums that I would still like to visit in this lifetime. So here is my bucket list of sports stadiums to visit. (I tend to gravitate towards the historic venues).

1. Ford Field

• Home of the Detroit Lions
• Located in Detroit, USA
• Opened in 2002
• Capacity: 65,000
• Significance: As a lifelong die-hard Detroit Lions fan it pains me to say I have yet to visit the home stadium of my favorite sports team. Although I have visited the previous home of the Lions in 1997 at the Pontiac Silverdome (which was part of the reason I became a Lions fan as a kid), Ford Field has been in place for nearly 20 years now. I suppose the opportunity has yet to present itself but make no mistake this is number 1 on my bucket list. Although I dislike indoor stadiums, the home of the Detroit Lions will always be my number one choice. 

2. Fenway Park

• Home of the Boston Red Sox
  
• Located in Boston, USA
• AKA "America's Most Beloved Ballpark", "Friendly Fenway"
• Opened in 1912
• Capacity: 37,755
• Significance: It is the oldest baseball stadium in the major leagues, just a couple years older than Wrigley Field. It's historic legacy is filled with baseball lore such as the curse of the Bambino that was placed after the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth off to the Yankees. Similar to the Chicago Cubs, the Red Sox experienced nearly 90 years without a world series title, until the curse was finally broken in 2003. Since then the Red Sox have returned to their winning ways adding 4 more titles in the past 20 years to their grand total of 8. (They have the third most World Series titles behind the Yankees and the Cardinals). What makes Fenway Park so special to me is it's unique characteristics such as the Green Monster wall in left field. It's also my understanding that the stadium is always sold out, the seats are very close to one another, and the fans there are very friendly as is the culture in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. This stadium is at the top of my list as a big fan of baseball yet more so American history. 

3. Lambeau Field

• Home of the Green Bay Packers
  
• Located in Green Bay, USA
• AKA "The Frozen Tundra"
• Opened in 1957
• Capacity: 81,441
• Significance: Along with Soldier Field it is one of the oldest and most iconic stadiums in the NFL. It is often referred to as titletown due to it's numerous championships won under head coach Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi, and their start quarterbacks Bart Star, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Although I despise the Packers as our divisional rivals I cannot deny the historic allure this stadium presents. I am sure it will be a very cold experience, being known as the Frozen Tundra, yet also a very memorable experience.

4. Anfield

• Home of Liverpool FC
  
• Located in Liverpool, England
• Opened in 1884
• Capacity: 53, 394
• Significance: Alongside Old Trafford it is the most iconic and historic stadiums in English football. Throughout it's rich history the stadium has experienced 18 league titles, 2nd only to Manchester United. Although I am still somewhat new to the English Premier League I instantly fell in love with this stadium environment after hearing the fans sing their ritual pre-game song of "You'll Never Walk Alone". To hear 50 thousand people singing and chanting in unison sends a chill down your spine, unlike any other atmosphere in all of sports. 

5. Notre Dame Stadium

• Home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• Located in South Bend, USA
• Opened in 1929
• Capacity: 77,622
• Significance: It is home to one of the most iconic college football programs in the nation. During it's rich history Notre Dame football has gone on to collect 11 national titles making them one of the most successful northern teams alongside University of Michigan and The Ohio State University. I myself have a special admiration for this football program being based in Indiana and also a Catholic school (yet I still prefer my Indiana University and the other Big Ten schools). Being a lifelong Indiana Catholic and knowing many Fighting Irish fans throughout my life, I feel it is an obligation that I experience this at least once in my lifetime. 

6. Camp Nou

• Home of FC Barcelona
  
• Located in Barcelona, Spain
• Opened in 1957
• Capacity: 99,354
• Significance: It is the largest stadium in all of Europe, and the third largest soccer stadium in the world. It is home to one of the most iconic football teams in the world, FC Barcelona that has experienced 26 Spanish league titles throughout it's history. The club has adopted the motto, "Mes Que un Club" which means it is more than just a sports team, it is a way of life. In the past fifteen years it has been home to one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel Messi. The atmosphere is truly incredible and even more so during their rivalry games against Real Madrid known as "El Classico". 

7. Maracana Stadium

• Home of the Brazil National Football Team
• Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Opened in 1950
• Capacity: 78,838
• Significance: It is one of the most historic stadiums in South America that has hosted several major world events. It was constructed as the main venue for the 1950 FIFA World Cup hosted by Brazil. Nearly 200,000 fans filled the brand new stadium for the final match, where they sadly witnessed their home team of Brazil lose to Uruguay in a PK shootout. After the cup the stadium was used as the home field for several major clubs in Rio de Janiero including Fluminense FC and Flamengo. The stadium returned to prominence during the 2014 World Cup final hosting various big matches, including the final match between Argentina and Germany. Also of personal note for myself was Colombia's victory over Uruguay in the quarterfinals, where James Rodriguez burst onto the world stage with his incredible goal at the Maracana. In 2016 it was the main venue for the Summer Olympics and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the mens and womens gold medal soccer match. In the men's match, Brazil was able to somewhat redeem itself from their humiliation at the 2014 Cup, when Neymar scored the game winning PK against Germany. This was surprisingly the 1st ever gold medal for Brazil in soccer. The stadium has witnessed so much history and for this reason I would love to experience a game here.  

8. Estadio Azteca

• Home of the Mexican National Football Team
  
• Located in Mexico City, Mexico
• AKA "The Colossus of Santa Ursula"
• Opened in 1961
• Capacity: 87,523
• Significance: Alongside the Maracana it is one of the most historic stadiums in Latin America. It was built in 1966 as a colossus soccer stadium, that first made it's international debut at the 1968 Summer Olympics hosting various soccer matches, including the gold medal match. In 1970 it hosted the FIFA World Cup, including the final between Brazil and Italy that witnessed Pele raise his 3rd World Cup Trophy. In 1986 Mexico was once again the hosts of the FIFA World Cup, and one again the Estadio Azteca hosted several big games including the final match between Germany and Argentina that witnessed Maradona raise the world cup trophy. It also hosted two very historic games from the 1986 World Cup, including Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal against England, as well as the "Game of the Century" semifinal match between Germany and Italy. To this day the stadium serves as the pride of Mexico with a thunderous fan base that surely makes any visiting teams uneasy. 

9. Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum 

• Home of the USC Trojans and the Los Angeles Rams
  
• Located in Los Angeles, USA
• AKA "The Grand Old Lady"
• Opened in 1923
• Capacity: 77,500
• Significance: It is one the most historic college stadiums build in the 1920s as a WWI veteran memorial, the home of the USC Trojans, yet more importantly the main venue of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. It will also host the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, making it the only stadium to have hosted 3 Olympic Games. The stadium is renown for it's iconic Romanesque stairs, pillars, and it's Olympic torch. It has witnessed the USC Trojans hoist 11 national college football titles. In 1946 it also served as home to the professional football team the Los Angeles Rams until 1979 and later resumed as their home stadium in 2016. The stadium is referred to as the Grand Old Lady and is one of the most iconic Olympic stadiums in the world.

10. Beaver Stadium

• Home of the Penn State Nittany Lions
  
• Located in University Park, USA
• AKA "The House that Joe Built"
• Opened in 1959
• Capacity: 106,572
• Significance: It is the 2nd largest stadium in the nation, after Michigan Stadium. It is named after the governor of Pennsylvania and former university president, James A Beaver. The Nittany Lions football program dd not acheive national success until the 1980s when coach Joe Paterno lead them to two national titles. Although they are not quite as decorated as their Big Ten rivals of Michigan and Ohio State, they have recently become one of the powerhouse college football teams of the north. Also as a bonus factor I have a good friend who is a Penn State fan and I once shared an elevator with the great Joe Paterno. 

11. LSU Tiger Stadium

• Home of the LSU Tigers
  
• Located in Baton Rouge, USA
• AKA "Death Valley"
• Opened in 1924
• Capacity: 102,321
• Significance: It is one of the largest college stadiums in the nation, and alongside Bryant-Denny stadium in Alabama, is one of the most iconic venues of southern football. Although the LSU Tigers have only won 3 national titles compared to the 22 titles of their southern rivals in Tuscaloosa, they are still always a force to be reckoned with. The stadium is known for it's extremely noisy atmosphere which has brought on it's infamous nickname of "Death Valley". The team has recently experienced a resurgence under head coach Ed Orgeron. To add to my personal desire of visiting this stadium is knowing several LSU fans throughout my lifetime. 

12. Olympiastadion Berlin

• Home of the 1936 Summer Olympics and Hertha BSC
• Located in Berlin, Germany
• Opened in 1936
• Capacity: 74,475
• Significance: It is a very historic stadium known for the 1936 Summer Olympics hosted by Nazi Germany in which Hitler hoped to demonstrate Ayrian superiority to the world. At the games Hitler's racist hopes were famously shunned by the incredible performance of American sprinter Jesse Owens who went on to win 4 gold medals. While the stadium was built as a pompous demonstration of Nazi glory, it has to this day lived on as a monumental achievement of architectural wonder. It's model is quite similiar to the Los Angeles Memorial Collisseum with its Romanesque pillars and stairs. In 1963 the stadium has become the home field for Hertha Berlin football club. I planned to visit this stadium with my brothers in 2017, however was denied the opportunity due to a nationwide workers strike. While I am somewhat bitter towards the club for not refunding my ticket, I still would enjoy to catch a game in this historical stadium. 

13. PNC Park

• Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
  
• Located in Pittsburgh, USA
• Opened in 2001
• Capacity: 38,747
• Significance: This is not at all a historic stadium yet rather one of the more aesthetically pleasing ones on this list. I have often seen images of PNC Park as an incredible site to behold overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline and the iconic yellow Roberto Clemente Bridge. (I would also have the San Francisco Giants AT&T Park on this list for aesthetic quality had I not already been there before). I also have known several Pirates fans and players throughout my time working for their farm team of the Indianapolis Indians.  

14. Busch Stadium

• Home of the St. Louis Cardinals
  
• Located in St. Louis, USA
• AKA "Busch Stadium III", "Baseball Heaven"
• Opened in 2006
• Capacity: 45,494
• Significance: Here is yet another fairly new stadium with an incredible aesthetic view of the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch. Add to this the prestigious history of the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the oldest and most successful teams in MLB history. (They have 11 World Series titles which puts them as the 2nd most MLB team far behind the New York Yankees). Similar to the New York Yankee Stadium, this is the 3rd installment of Busch Stadium. As a Chicago Cubs fan I despise our arch rivals of the Cardinals, however I have known many Cardinals fans throughout my life and would like to experience a game at least once here. 

15. Dodger Stadium

• Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers
  
• Located in Los Angeles, USA
• AKA "Chavez Ravine", "Blue Heaven on Earth" 
• Opened in 1962
• Capacity: 56,000
• Significance: It is the third oldest stadium in the MLB still functioning after Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. Following their move from Brooklyn in 1958, the Dodgers played in the Memorial Coliseum for 4 seasons while Dodger Stadium was built. In 1962 they made their debut at this now historic ballpark that has witnessed 4 World Series titles to add to the Dodgers grand total of 6. 

16. Signal Iduna Stadium

• Home of Borussia Dortmund
  
• Located in Dortmund, Germany
• Opened in 1971
• Capacity: 81,365
• Significance: There are great sports teams who are renown for their championships or their star players, and then there are some that are renown for their fanbase, and Borussia Dortmund is an utmost example of the latter. The south end stand of the field referred to as the "yellow wall" demonstrates some of the most passionate fans in the game. I'm not sure whether it's the awesome yellow and black team colors, or the stadium's design, but the atmosphere just seems simply surreal. The team is miles behind their great rivals of Bayern Munich, yet are still considered the 2nd most decorated team in Germany, with 8 league titles to it's name.  

17. Rose Bowl Stadium

• Home of the Rose Ball Game
  
• Located in Pasadena, USA
• AKA "America's Stadium"
• Opened in 1922
• Capacity: 92,542
• Significance: It was built in 1923 to host the annual Rose Bowl game, which at the time was the "Granddaddy" championship game for college football. At the time of it's completion it was the largest sports stadium in the country, until it was surpassed by Michigan Stadium in 1998. Along with it's annual Rose Bowl Game hosting duties, the stadium has also recently become home to the UCLA Bruins since 1982. The stadium has hosted many college championships as well as various events at the 1932 Summer Olympics, 5 Super Bowl Championships, the 1994 Men's World Cup Final, and the 1999 Women's World Cup Final.  It has thus gained a reputation as a stadium for championships and for this historic and prestigious reason it is on my bucket list to experience. 

18. Centre Court Wimbledon

• Home of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships
  
• Located in Wimbledon, England
• Opened in 1922
• Capacity: 14,979
• Significance: It is home to the most prestigious tennis Grand Slam tournament in the world, the Wimbledon Championships. Is serves as the main court of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club located in the Wimbledon district of London. I am still somewhat new to following tennis yet to experience a centre court match at Wimbledon would be the pinnacle experience of professional tennis. Assuming a championship match would cost a fortune and probably be impossible to attend, there are still various other games of importance held at centre court during the Wimbledon tournament and this would suffice for me. 

19. Stamford Bridge

• Home of Chelsea FC
  
• Located in London, England
• AKA "The Bridge"
• Opened in 1877
• Capacity: 40,834
• Significance: It is one of the oldest football grounds in all of England, the home of the great Chelsea FC located in London. The stadium has undergone various renovations throughout its long history yet is rich with lore and heritage. Since the club's inception in 1905, they have gone on to win 6 league titles and a European Championship in 2012. The stadium plans to increase it's capacity in the coming years to a capacity of 63,000. As a fan of history and soccer I would love to experience a game here at this true gem of the English Premier League. 

20. Santiago Bernabau

• Home of Real Madrid
• Located in Madrid, Spain
  
• Opened in 1947
• Capacity: 81,044
• Significance: It is home to one of the most decorated football clubs in the world, Real Madrid. With it's 33 Spanish league titles and 13 European league titles it is the undisputed champion of European Soccer. The club has seen various waves of incredible talent such as Alfredo di Stefano during the 1950s, the Galaticos of the 2000s (Beckham, Ronaldo, Figo, Zidance, and Roberto Carlos), and recently the great Cristiano Ronaldo. They have recently returned to their dominant ways winning 4 UEFA champions leagues in the past 6 years. The stadium atmosphere is one of great pride, displayed at it's finest during their match-ups against their Spanish arch-rivals FC Barcelona. 

21. Court Philippe Chatrier

• Home of the French Open Tennis Tournament 
  
• Located in Paris, France
• Opened in 1928
• Capacity: 15,500
• Significance: It is the center court of the prestigious French Open tennis tournament. The Philippe Chatrier court is a part of the Stade Roland Garros complex that consists of three large courts. The center court is named after the famous French tennis player, journalist, and president of the Tennis French Federation from 1973 to 1993. It holds an impressive capacity of 15,500 with it's unique clay court. While I am still somewhat new to following tennis Grand Slams this is the tournament that my favorite player Raphael Nadal always dominates and would be quite the treat to experience a game at this venue. 

22. Madison Square Garden

• Home of the New York Knicks
  
• Located in New York City, USA
• AKA "the Garden"
• Opened in 1968
• Capacity: 19812
• Significance: It is the most famous NBA venue, home of the New York Knicks who won 2 championships in 1970 and 1973. It is however more than just a basketball arena and hosts many other prestigious entertainment events in downtown New York. It is home to the New York Rangers NHL hockey team and the St. Johns Red Storm men's NCAA basketball team. It also hosts big scale wrestling events and big name musical concerts. Much of the stadium's allure comes from it's location in downtown New York and also it's musical business. It is the 2nd most profitable music venue in the world behind the O2 arena in London. I once passed through this area when I visited the Big Apple with my family in 2005, however I do not recall visiting the venue, and definitely have not had an entertainment experience here yet. 

23. Churchill Downs

• Home of the Kentucky Derby
  
• Located in Louisville, USA
• Opened in 1875
• Capacity: 170,000 (including infield tickets)
• Significance: It is home to the most historic and prestigious thoroughbred horse-racing tracks. While I am in no way whatsoever familiar with the sport of horse-racing I have heard of the Kentucky Derby since I can remember. It appears to cater to the wealthy as the attendees traditionally dress in their Sunday's finest clothes, however ticket prices are reasonable for the infield. Due to it's historical quality, I would consider this a lifetime experience of great cultural value. 

24. Bryant-Denny Stadium

• Home of the Alabama Crimson Tide
  
• Located in Tuscaloosa, USA
• Opened in 1929
• Capacity: 101,821
• Significance: They are one of the most successful college football programs in history with an impressive 17 claimed national titles. The stadium is the true beacon of southern football that has brought great pride to the American south for many years. It's SEC rivals of Auburn and LSU are also highly regarded national programs yet always in the shadow of the great Crimson Tide. It has a very rich winning tradition that has continued to thrive to this day under Coach Nick Saban. Although I confess to be quite envious and spiteful of the team's great success, as a sports fan I still admire the stadium's cultural significance. 

25. Arthur Ashe Stadium

• Home of the US Open Tennis Tournament
• Located in New York City, USA
• Opened in 1997
• Capacity: 23,771
• Significance: Named after the late great tennis player Athur Ashe who won 3 Grand Slam titles during the 1970s, this stadium was opened in 1997 as the main center court venue of the prestigious Grand Slam US Open tournament. Located in Flushing Meadows Park of New York City is the center feature of the Bille Jean King National Tennis Center. With a capacity of nearly 24,000 it is the largest tennis venue in the world and has witnessed many great US open finals throughout it's modern history.