Temple of Horus (page 1 of 2 pages)

3rd C/ BCE-mid 1st C/ BCE




Located on the west bank of the Nile, Edfu is at a midway point between Luxor and Aswan. After Karnak, it is the second largest temple in Egypt; it is also one of the best preserved. Construction began under Ptolemy III Euergetes in the 3rd century BCE but the temple was not completed until the 1st century BCE.
 

Entrance pylon

Reliefs depict Ptolemy XII in the traditional pose smiting his enemies.
 
Masts with banners were once mounted in the deep grooves of the entrance pylon.
 

The first courtyard, bordered on three sides by columns

 

In the first courtyard, looking back toward the entrance

 
A pair of granite sculptures of the god Horus once flanked the entrance; today the remaining statue is a favorite of tourists.


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© 2001 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Page created by Mary Ann Sullivan