Egypt is extremely popular in the West, with almost everyone having some preconceptions about the country and its history, but questions about the building of the pyramids, the curse of Tutankhamun and Cleopatra's baths of ass's milk are only the tip of the iceberg. The myth of Egypt is often one of mysticism and the occult, and the ancient texts are reputed to hold all manner of secrets, magical, technological and mystical, while in the Old Testament it is seen as a land of great magicians.