It was built on top of the remains of an older, smaller temple dedicated to the same god. Marvel at ancient egyptian architecture on this trip to the kom ombo and edfu temples. The horus temple at edfu is an incredibly wellpreserved example of egyptian architecture. The temple of edfu consists of a primary entrance, a courtyard, and a shrine. Next was the naos of the sanctuary, which led to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, where the statue of the temple deity horus in this case, was located.
This was constructed between 237 bc and 57 bc on top of the remains of earlier temples. Edfu seen with clarity, 1927 constance sitwell the massive outer walls of the temple of edfu are still whole at edfu. The temple of edfu was originally dedicated to the falcon god, horus of behdet the original name for edfu. Due to its completeness and state of preservation, it is the best example of ptolemaic temple building in egypt. The site of edfu contains the most complete and bestpreserved temple in egypt, the ptolemaic temple of horus. This majestic temple sits at the heart of the cult of three divinities.
Appreciate the views you approach the kom ombo temple, perched on a. Located between the egyptian cities luxor and aswan, a french archaeologist by the name of auguste mariette uncovered it from its sand burial in the 1860s. Later they emerge from the temple, embark and drift downstream to the edge of the edfu nome, where horus takes his leave. This is similar to decorations on the first pylon at. Solomons temple was built on the temple mount, set upon mount moriah the site of isaacs binding by abraham genesis 22 and later of araunahs. The wellpreserved temple of horus at edfu is in the ptolemaic style. The temple of edfu maintains the classical structure of the grecoroman period, beginning with the pylon, followed by a courtyard and the building of the pronaos or hypostyle room. The temple at edfu is entirely ptolemaic, texts on the outer face of the girdle wall indicate that it was begun in 237 bc and completed in 57 bc. The temple of edfu is nearly intact and a very good example of an ancient egyptian temple. The temple of edfus archaeological significance and high state of preservation has made it a centre for tourism in egypt and a frequent stop for the many riverboats that cruise the nile.
Inscriptions on its walls provide information on language, myth and religion during the grecoroman period in ancient egypt. They instituted a huge new program of ancient art namely temple building. However, the temple embodies the traditional architecture of ancient egypt and is largely free of hellenistic influence. The temple of edfu is the second largest temple in egypt. The temple of edfu is the bestpreserved of any of the temples of ancient egypt and deserves much more attention than the whistlestop tours allow. Its style combines classical egyptian architectural elements with. Enchanting edfu temple the not so innocents abroad. The temple displays traditional elements of a classic egyptian architectural style blended with the ptolemaic greek nuances.
Dedicated to the god horus of behedet, lord of edfu, the temple of horus is the most famous monument at tell edfu. The ancient egyptians believed that this was the location where the infamous battle between horus and seth took place. The temple of edfu is an egyptian temple located on the west bank of the nile in edfu, upper. It is the second largest temple in egypt after karnak and one of the best preserved. The reliefs that cover the walls, columns, and doorways of the temple constitute an extremely important source of information about ancient. Temple of horus the oriental institute of the university. The temple of horus at edfu, built as homage to the falconheaded god horus, was erected between 237 and 57 bc, during the reign of six different ptolemies. The temple is oriented from south to north, measuring little over 140m long and occupying an area of about 7000m2. The temple contains some of the finest art and architecture of the ptolemaic period. Temple of edfu, facts, location, inscriptions, and. Both the temple and its entrance pylon are covered with with relief sculptures made in 57 bc, showing ptolemy xii defeating his enemies clayton 2006. Plan of the temple of edfu ancient egyptian architecture, egyptian. Horus of behdet, hathor, and horsamatawy their son.
645 1163 759 339 1576 194 497 433 1383 313 1140 1258 860 433 285 1016 282 110 1251 83 1568 1501 188 1105 460 1251 1470 1387 812 1105 1169 233 988 560 1018 435 995 1035 1418 951