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04Jun

Monuments

Battle of Horus and Seth, Legend of Isis and Osiris, Temple of Edfu, Temple of Hurus

The Temple of Horus in Edfu

The Temple of Horus in Edfu’ stands as a testament to ancient Egyptian architecture and religious practices. Constructed between 237 and 57 BC during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, it is one of the most intact temples, providing insight into the Hellenistic period’s language, myth, and religion. The temple’s walls are adorned with inscriptions and reliefs that narrate the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth, offering a glimpse into the mythical interpretation of temples as the Island of Creation. This site not only showcases the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization but also serves as a crucial source for understanding historical religious narratives.

The history of the Temple of Edfu

Built 237 – 57 BC It is dedicated to the falcon god Horus.

The Temple of Edfu was buried under centuries of sand and silt until the site was rediscovered in the 19th century by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. The complex is one of the best-preserved sites in Egypt today; its architecture is very intact, and the building contains many legible inscriptions on the walls.

The temple was built on top of much older ruins dating back to Ramses III and was constructed over the course of 180 years under a variety of rulers during the Ptolemaic period in Egypt. This period represented a time of Greek rule; each pharaoh was a descendent of Ptolemy, a general in the army of Alexander the Great who took control of the region a few centuries prior to the construction of the temple. However, the temple embodies the traditional architecture of ancient Egypt, largely free of Hellenistic influences.

The temple itself was dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, who was often combined with the Greek god Apollo. In fact, during Greco-Roman rule in Egypt, the city of Edfu was renamed Apollonopolis Magna.

Several inscriptions found in the Edfu’ temple describe the so-called “Sacred Drama.”. The story describes the conflict between Horus, the Egyptian god of the fertile lands of the Nile, and Seth, the god of the surrounding Egyptian deserts, as they seek revenge for the murder of Horus’s father, Osiris. Every year, the ancient Egyptians re-develop this story in the temple’s building complex because it is about 115 kilometers south of Lux (70 miles) and 105 miles (65 miles) in the north (65 miles) area of Aswan.

How to get to the Temple of Horus in Edfu

Horses and carriages! What may surprise most visitors is that the usual way to get to the temple grounds is by horse-drawn cart. However, you might enjoy the experience during the transfer from your Nile Cruise ship to the gate of the temple and once again backward.

When you arrive in Edfu, you can see hundreds of horse-drawn carriages lined up for transportation.

How to visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu

The Pylon:

The entrance to the Temple of Horus at Edfu is an impressive Pylon. It is 36 meters (130 feet) high and 80 meters (260 feet) wide. The Pylon is a huge portal. It consists of two conical towers. You can see the relief of the double tower. These images show that Ptolemy XII beat his enemies.

Two granite Falcon Statues:

There are two falcon statues at the entrance, symbolizing Horus , the Sun God of ancient Egyptian royalty

Courtyard:

If you go through the entrance, you can see the relief of the feast of the gods. 32 columns surround the courtyard on three sides and form a covered colonnade. There is a broken granite falcon statue and a well-preserved granite statue.

First Hypostyle Hall:

After crossing the open courtyard, there is a huge external hall made of twelve columns arranged in two rows. The capital and ceiling are decorated with astronomical images.

Second Hypostyle Hall:

After passing the outer hall, there is the inner hall. There are twelve columns in three rows. The pillars are illuminated in different colors. There are three small rooms decorated with reliefs.

Offering Hall:

Behind the inner hall is a narrow room where offers of food and oil are burned.

Pronaos Hall:

This is the room at the entrance to Neos.

The Naos:

This place was built by Nectanebo II. It is considered the oldest part of the temple. It has a replica of a sacred boat that is believed to have been there originally.

Lateral Rooms:

There are other rooms to explore, which are believed to be storage rooms where the oils and spices were once used in the rituals practiced in the temple. Some chambers have recipes for making the oils and scents. Tourists can appreciate that this is one of the few temples that has an intact roof.

In fact, the Temple of Horus in Edfu is a testament to ancient Egyptian architecture and religious practices. Under the Kingdom of Ptolemy between 237 and 57 BC, it was one of the most complete temples and gave insight into the language, myths, and religion during the Greek period.

The walls of the temple

The outer walls are decorated with inscriptions and reliefs that describe the eternal battle between Horus (the symbol of good) and Seth (the symbol of evil).

This site not only demonstrates the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization, but also serves as an essential source for understanding historical religious narratives.