DOCSLIB.ORG

Matt Smith, Colossus of Memnon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Matt Smith, Colossus of Memnon I Saw and I Wondered: Roman Tourists at the Colossus of Memnon I Saw and I Wondered: Roman Tourists at the Colossus of Memnon MATTHEW SMITH that once each day a noise, as of a slight blow, emanates from the part of the “I saw and I wondered.” latter that remains on the throne and Undated graffito, Colossus of Memnon1 its base; and I too, when I was present at the places with Aelius Gallus and his crowd of associates, both friends eside the Theban necropolis near Luxor and soldiers, heard the noise at about are two giant quartzite sandstone statues the first hour, but whether it came B of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1388-1350 from the base or from the colossus, BCE), at one time flanking his mortuary or whether the noise was made on temple, long since vanished. Both statues are purpose by one of the men who were seated, facing east towards where the Nile standing all round and near to the once ran. The northern statue represents base, I am unable positively to assert; Amenhotep with his mother Mutemwiya, the for on account of the uncertainty southern is the Pharaoh with his wife Tiye. of the cause I am induced to believe The two statues stand about sixty feet high anything rather than that the sound and were erected around 1400 BCE. Little issued from stones thus fixed. remains of the temple today, and the statues themselves are ruined. Much of their existence Strabo, Geography 17.1.46 likely passed without notice, until a large earthquake in 27 BCE collapsed the northern statue from the waist up and cracked the lower Strabo’s account of the statue is the earliest we half. Following this came reports of the statue have, but already it is being heard amongst a ‘singing’, usually right at dawn. crowd, and regular references in texts indicate it quickly became a tourist destination in This event gave the statue its current name, Egypt. Another account by second century the Colossus of Memnon, who was an CE Greek geographer Pausanias describes the Ethiopian king in the Aethiopis, a lost epic of the sound that the statue makes. Trojan War. Upon his death, his mother Eos experienced great anguish and shed tears—or The colossus in Egypt made me dew drops—every dawn. The statue’s sound marvel far more than anything else. at the same time every morning was equated In Egyptian Thebes, on crossing the with Eos’ wailing grief, and in homage it was Nile to the so called Pipes, I saw a named after her deceased son. statue, still sitting, which gave out a sound… every day at the rising of the The earliest account we have of the singing sun it makes a noise, and the sound comes from the Greek historian and one could best liken to that of a harp geographer Strabo, who wrote about hearing or lyre when a string has been broken. the statue in 20 BCE, by which time it was already a tourist stop. Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.62.3 The statue became a common feature of the Here are two colossi, which are near country, with Juvenal referring to it as ‘the one another and are each made of a place where magic chords are sounded by single stone; one of them is preserved, the truncated Memnon’ ( 15.5). The true but the upper parts of the other, from Satire cause of the statue’s song is still debated— the seat up, fell when an earthquake modern science tells us that the noise could took place, so it is said. It is believed have been caused by a combination of early morning evaporation and changes in 1 Keegan (2014), 57. 74 I Saw and I Wondered: Roman Tourists at the Colossus of Memnon temperature, vibrating the stone, but some Hadrian, and was said to be a close friend research speculates the sound to the work of of the empress Vibia Sabina. Her poems tell the Greek mathematician Heron and local the story of Memnon, but directly flatter both industrious Egyptian priests.2 Hadrian and Sabina. The legs and plinth of the Colossus of Memnon are covered in 108 examples of graffiti from When the August Hadrian Heard tourists and visitors, in both Latin and Greek, Memnon recording their experience. They date from the Memnon the Egyptian I learnt, when reign of Tiberius to the early years of the third warned by the rays of the sun, century, and those who heard it sing spoke of speaks from Theban stone. the luck it brought them in life, and it took on When he saw Hadrian, the king of all, the vestige of oracular powers. before rays of the sun, he greeted him - as far as he was able. But when the Titan driving through Dionysia’s worship. Many a time will the heavens with his steeds of white, she hear. 3 brought into shadow the second measure of hours, (September 122 CE) like ringing bronze Memnon again sent out his voice. The Colossus of Memnon also boasts a number Sharp-toned, he sent out his greeting of poems composed by Roman women, which and for a third time a mighty roar. in itself is rare—collectively they comprise The emperor Hadrian then himself almost six per cent of the extant literary works bid welcome to written by ancient Greek and Roman women. Memnon and left on stone for The otherwise unknown Caecilia Trebulla generations to come composed three epigrams on the statue in 130 this inscription recounting all that he CE, two written in first person and the final saw and all that he heard. from the perspective of Memnon. 4 It was clear to all that the gods love him. Caecilia Trebulla, upon hearing Memnon for the second Her words could hardly be a spur of the time. moment composition, and the four separate poems show a certain amount of pre-planning. Before we heard only his voice, One is at a height that would have required Today he greeted us as friends and small scaffolding, and granite is notoriously intimates, difficult to carve, and would have kept a Memnon, son of Eros and Tithon, skilful stonecutter and scribe busy for a day.5 Did Nature, creator of all, The closing lines imply heavily that they were Give perception and voice to stone? commissioned by Hadrian, and given the content and context it’s difficult to consider One notable inscription still visible are the this state-sanctioned poem as a piece of graffiti. words of the Roman poet Julia Balbilla. She visited the statue in November 130CE, as Hadrian’s visit to hear the statues sing would a member of the retinue of the Emperor also have been a sombre event - weeks earlier his beloved companion Antinous had drowned in the waters of the Nile river. It is debated6 2 Pettorino (1999), 1321-1324. 3 Keegan (2014), 55-58. 5 Beard (2011) 4 Platt (2004), 149. 6 Vout (2005), 82. 75 Iris | Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria | New Series | Volume 29 | 2016 I Saw and I Wondered: Roman Tourists at the Colossus of Memnon whether the event was an accident, murder, or Bibliography even a sacrifice, but what is clear is that the death affected Hadrian greatly, and it delayed him returning to Rome until the spring of 131CE.7 Beard, Mary (2011) ‘The Colossi of Memnon? The Colossus of Memnon continued to sing When are graffiti not graffiti?’ http:// for many years after Hadrian’s visit, with the timesonline.typepad.com/dons_ latest dated graffiti being left by M. Ulpius life/2011/01/the-colossi-of-memnon. Primianus in 194 CE. Around 199 CE the html statue was visited by Emperor Septimius Severus (SHA Septimus Severus 17.4) leading to Bowman, H. and F. H. Stross (1984), ‘The the assumption that it was repaired in a well- Northern Colossus of Memnon: New meaning gesture on his orders.8 The collapsed Slants’, Archaeometry 26, 218–229. upper portions were cleared away, replaced by five levels of crudely carved stone. The Keegan, Peter (2014). Graffiti in Antiquity Colossus of Memnon sung no more, and the (Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon). steady stream of tourists dried up. Lambert, Royston (1984). Beloved and God: The Story of Hadrian and Antinous. (London: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson). Matthew Smith Platt, Michael (ed.) (2004). Women Writers of La Trobe University Ancient Greece and Rome: An Anthology [email protected] (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press). Vout, C. (2005) ‘Antinous, Archaeology and History’, The Journal of Roman Studies 95, 80-96. 7 Lambert (1984), 144-45. 8 Bowman and Stross (1984), 218. 76 77.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • International Selection Panel Traveler's Guide
    INTERNATIONAL SELECTION PANEL MARCH 13-15, 2019 TRAVELER’S GUIDE You are coming to EGYPT, and we are looking forward to hosting you in our country. We partnered up with Excel Travel Agency to give you special packages if you wish to travel around Egypt, or do a day tour of Cairo and Alexandria, before or after the ISP. The following packages are only suggested itineraries and are not limited to the dates and places included herein. You can tailor a trip with Excel Travel by contacting them directly (contact information on the last page). A designated contact person at the company for Endeavor guests has been already assigned to make your stay more special. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Destinations • Egypt • Cairo • Journey of The Pharaohs: Luxor & Aswan • Red Sea Authentic Escape: Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh and Sharm El Sheikh Must-See Spots in: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan & Sharm El Sheikh Proposed One-Day Excursions Recommended Trips • Nile Cruise • Sahl Hasheesh • Sharm El Sheikh Services in Cairo • Meet & Assist, Lounges & Visa • Airport Transfer Contact Details THE DESTINATIONS EGYPT Egypt, the incredible and diverse country, has one of a few age-old civilizations and is the home of two of the ancient wonders of the world. The Ancient Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River more than 7000 years ago. It is recognizable for its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and above all, the Pyramids. Apart from visiting and seeing the ancient temples and artefacts of ancient Egypt, there is also a lot to see in each city. Each city in Egypt has its own charm and its own history, culture, activities.
    [Show full text]
  • La Storia Della Mentalità Delle Élites Dell'impero Romano Come Viaggio
    UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PISA Scuola di Dottorato in Storia, Orientalistica e Storia delle Arti XXV Ciclo Tesi di Dottorato in Storia Antica LA STORIA DELLA MENTALITÀ DELLE ÉLITES DELL’IMPERO ROMANO COME VIAGGIO PER ISOLE LESSICALI Relatore Candidata Prof. Giovanni Salmeri Francesca Zaccaro Sommario Introduzione. La storia della mentalità delle 1 élites dell’impero romano come viaggio per isole lessicali I. L’isola dell’affettività: eunoia tra spazio 16 civico e spazio domestico II. L’isola della praotēs: l’elogio della mitezza 59 III. L’isola dell’epieikeia: il corredo etico 84 dell’impero IV. L’isola del kosmos: gli ornamenti 121 dell’impero V. L’arcipelago latino tra isole minori e atolli 142 VI. Si può parlare di mentalità delle élites 174 femminili sotto l’impero romano? VII. La paideia nella pratica: i maîtres à penser 211 della mentalità Bibliografia 233 Index 265 Introduzione La storia della mentalità delle élites dell’impero romano come viaggio per isole lessicali Questa ricerca si pone l’obiettivo di ricostruire la mentalità delle élites dirigenti ed intellettuali dell’impero romano nei primi due secoli dopo Cristo. Il principale strumento con cui ho portato avanti l’indagine è stata un’analisi di tipo lessicale con cui ho individuato, sulla base dei documenti letterari ed epigrafici, dei nuclei ‒ delle isole come vedremo meglio in seguito ‒ che contengono i codici comportamentali sia pubblici sia privati, sia politici sia familiari, delle élites. Queste isole dell’arcipelago lessicale1 sono presenti dei termini e delle espressioni che prima del periodo preso in considerazione avevano un significato diverso, lontano dall’aura di continenza e temperanza che agita le correnti dell’arcipelago lessicale.
    [Show full text]
  • Sphinx Sphinx
    SPHINX SPHINX History of a Monument CHRISTIANE ZIVIE-COCHE translated from the French by DAVID LORTON Cornell University Press Ithaca & London Original French edition, Sphinx! Le Pen la Terreur: Histoire d'une Statue, copyright © 1997 by Editions Noesis, Paris. All Rights Reserved. English translation copyright © 2002 by Cornell University All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. First published 2002 by Cornell University Press Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Zivie-Coche, Christiane. Sphinx : history of a moument / Christiane Zivie-Coche ; translated from the French By David Lorton. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8014-3962-0 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Great Sphinx (Egypt)—History. I.Tide. DT62.S7 Z58 2002 932—dc2i 2002005494 Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materi­ als include vegetable-based, low-VOC inks and acid-free papers that are recycled, totally chlorine-free, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. For further informa­ tion, visit our website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. Cloth printing 10 987654321 TO YOU PIEDRA en la piedra, el hombre, donde estuvo? —Canto general, Pablo Neruda Contents Acknowledgments ix Translator's Note xi Chronology xiii Introduction I 1. Sphinx—Sphinxes 4 The Hybrid Nature of the Sphinx The Word Sphinx 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Theban Necropolis Preservation Initiative
    THE THEBAN NECROPOLIS PRESERVATION INITIATIVE FACTUM FOUNDATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF BASEL WORKING WITH THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES A REPORT ON THE WORK COMPLETED IN THE TOMB OF SETI I UP TO SEPTEMBER 2020 2 1 THE THEBAN NECROPOLIS PRESERVATION INITIATIVE FACTUM FOUNDATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF BASEL WORKING WITH THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES A REPORT ON THE WORK COMPLETED IN THE TOMB OF SETI I UP TO SEPTEMBER 2020 Under the patronage of Detail from the ceiling of the Sarcophagus Room in the tomb of Seti I, recorded in 2019. TABLE OF CONTENTS This book is dedicated to the memory of Ayman THE THEBAN NECROPOLIS PRESERVATION INITIATIVE 5 Introduction 5 Mohamed Ibrahim, the former inspector of the Recording Progress: Lucida 3D Scanner 8 Valley of the Kings who understood the importance Recording Progress: Photogrammetry 10 of the work of the Theban Necropolis Preservation Recording Progress: Panoramic Colour Photography 12 Initiative and spoke about it with eloquence. Recording Progress: LiDAR 3D Scanning 14 Background: work in Luxor since 2001 19 Aims of the TNPI 22 The 3D Scanning, Training and Archiving Centre 25 Team Members: selected biographies 26 Training Program: September 2019 - September 2020 29 Scanning completed in the Tomb of Seti, September 2019- September 2020 31 Recording the fragments of the Tomb of Seti I 33 “The educational impact [of Factum’s digitisations and A new use for a facsimile in the Theban Necropolis: a collaboration with CSIC 37 facsimiles] for the general public is indisputible: now Summary of current position and future steps September 2019 - September 2020 39 scholars have to face the challenge of inserting these new SYSTEMS FOR DATA CAPTURE, PROCESSING AND STORAGE 43 tools into their research and exploiting their potential, LiDAR 45 before they are once more outwitted by commercial Lucida 3D Scanner 47 applications.
    [Show full text]
  • SEDJM SPRING 2008.Pdf
    SEDJEM The Newsletter of the Orange County Chapter Spring 2008 of the American Research Center In Egypt Event Update: 2008 continues to be an exciting year for Egyptology in Southern California. Tickets are still available (registration form inside), for the chapter's day long June 7 seminar on Ancient Egyptian Medical and Magical Practices. Dr. Robert Ritner, who has trained generations of Egyptologists, is coming out from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago especially to teach this class. The weekend of August 23 - 24 is huge for Southern California. On Saturday, August 23, the headline making husband and wife team from the Colossi of Memnon Project will speak to OC ARCE . Both Drs. Hourig Sourouzian and Rainer Stadelmann will speak and take questions. See the details inside the newsletter, BUT PLEASE CORRECT YOUR CALENDARS, AS THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY LISTED AS AUGUST 25. The next day, August 24, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and star of countless TV specials, will speak at the Bowers, in a museum sponsored event. In his only Southern Californian appearance this fall, his topic will be the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, and the results of recent DNA testing and new archaeological discoveries in her re-excavated tomb. (And just maybe he will answer some questions about the speculation that a new tomb, which would be KV 64, has been discovered in the Valley of the Kings.) This is a two tiered event, with a reception beginning at 5 PM and the lecture at 6 PM. Tickets for both are $50, and for the lecture only are $30.
    [Show full text]
  • Submitted, Accepted and Published By
    *Revised Manuscript (clean copy) Click here to download Revised Manuscript (clean copy): Bardaji et al_01-17.docx Click here to view linked References 1 Geomorphology of Dra Abu el-Naga (Egypt): the basis of the funerary sacred 2 landscape 3 Bardají, T.1, Martinez-Graña, A.2, Sánchez Moral, S.3, Pethen, H.4, García- 4 González, D.5, Cuezva, S.6, Cañaveras, J.C.7, Jiménez-Higueras, A.4 5 1. Dpto. de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente; Univ. de Alcalá; 28871- Alcalá de 6 Henares (Spain). Corresponding author: [email protected] 7 2. Dpto. Geología, Univ. de Salamanca; 37008-Salamanca (Spain). 8 3. Dpto. de Geología, MNCN-CSIC; 28006-Madrid (Spain). 9 4. School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool; L69 7WZ- 10 Liverpool (U.K.) 11 5. CCHS-CSIC. Research Project HAR2014/52323-P; 28037-Madrid (Spain). 12 6. Geomnia Natural Resources SLNE, 28003-Madrid (Spain) 13 7. Dpto. de Ciencias de la Tierra y del Medioambiente, Univ. de Alicante; 03690-Alicante 14 (Spain). 15 16 Abstract 17 A geological and geomorphological analysis has been performed in the necropolis of 18 Dra Abu el-Naga in order to understand the role played by these two factors in the 19 development of the sacred landscape. The investigation focuses upon two aspects of 20 the development of the necropolis, the selection criteria for tomb location and the 21 reconstruction of the ancient funerary landscape. Around 50 tombs were surveyed, 22 analysing the characteristics of their host rock and classifying them according to a 23 modified Rock Mass Rating Index, in order to understand how rock quality affected 24 tomb construction.
    [Show full text]
  • Public and Private
    POLIS. Revista de ideas y formas políticas de la Antigüedad Clásica 12,1999, pp. 181-228 PUBLIC AND PRÍVATE Konstantinos Mantas Athens A. ABSTRACT In this article we will try to give an answer to the question of changes in the visibility of women in the public sphere. The fact that élite women played a more energetic role in public life firom the late Hellenistic epoch on has been established by our research on the available sources (mostly epigraphical) in some regions of the Greco-Roman East, in particular W. Asia Minor (lonia and Caria) and in Aegean islands such as Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Teños, Syros and Paros. Nevertheless, the inscriptions, being brief summaries of the decrees which were put in the archives, fail to comment on the issue of the honorand's actual fiílfilment of the office, though sometimes they give indirect information on the lady's presence, eg in the stadium. But even if the female raagistrates were visible, did that have any effect on other women? Did the free, or at least the citizen women in the cities of the Román East enjoy more freedom in their raovement outside the oikos? Could women move freely in the agora, the theatre or any other public place? And if they did so, what about their mingling with men and regulations about their clothes and personal behaviour? Literature is important on that subject because it provides indirect information on all the aspects of the problem, but the archaising style and subject matter of many 181 Public and Prívate literary works, the hallmark of the Second Sophistic, throws doubt on their relevance to the era in which our research is located.
    [Show full text]
  • Chicago Demotic Dictionary (CDD)
    oi.uchicago.edu chicago demotic dictionary c hicago demotic dictionary (cdd) François gaudard and Janet h. Johnson The staff of the Chicago Demotic Dictionary, namely, Janet Johnson, François Gaudard, Brittany Hayden, and Mary Szabady, spent the year checking drafts of entries for the last letter files in progress. We have been assisted by Oriental Institute docent Larry Lissak, who scanned photographs of various Demotic texts and also part of Wilhelm Spiegelberg’s Nachlasse. Letter files P (183 pages), M (312 pages), and, more recently, ʾI (250 pages) have been posted online. As for the last two letters, T (297 pages) has been entirely checked and will be posted after a final style check, and S (400 pages), by far the largest of all the files, is currently being worked on. The numbers file (154 pages) is in the process of being double- checked. We would like to thank all our colleagues for their useful comments and suggestions, in particular, Joachim Friedrich Quack, Friedhelm Hoffmann, and Eugene Cruz-Uribe. Special thanks go to Veena Elisabeth Frank Jørgensen for providing us with various references from the files in Copenhagen. In addition to everyday words, the CDD also includes specialized vocabulary (e.g., reli- gious, legal, and mathematical terminology). Although we don’t incorporate personal names unless there is a word of special interest in the name (the recently completed Demotisches Namenbuch1 is an excellent resource), we do include many royal names and epithets, espe- cially those of the Ptolemies and of the Roman emperors. For the latter, the various forms of an epithet or royal name are given for each emperor who bore them.
    [Show full text]
  • PERSPECTIVES on PTOLEMAIC THEBES Oi.Uchicago.Edu Ii
    oi.uchicago.edu i PERSPECTIVES ON PTOLEMAIC THEBES oi.uchicago.edu ii Pre-conference warm-up at Lucky Strike in Chicago. Standing, left to right: Joseph Manning, Ian Moyer, Carolin Arlt, Sabine Albersmeier, Janet Johnson, Richard Jasnow Kneeling: Peter Dorman, Betsy Bryan oi.uchicago.edu iii O CCASIONAL PROCEEdINgS Of THE THEBAN WORkSHOP PERSPECTIVES ON PTOLEMAIC THEBES edited by Pete R F. DoRMAn and BetSy M. BRyAn Papers from the theban Workshop 2006 StuDIeS In AnCIent oRIentAL CIvILIzAtIon • nuMBeR 65 the oRIentAL InStItute oF the unIveRSIty oF ChICAgo ChICAgo • ILLInois oi.uchicago.edu iv Library of Congress Control Number: 2001012345 ISBN-10: 1-885923-85-6 ISBN-13: 978-1-885923-85-1 ISSN: 0081-7554 The Oriental Institute, Chicago © 2011 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved. Published 2011. Printed in the United States of America. studIeS IN ANCIeNT orIeNTAL CIvILIzATIoN • NUmBer 65 The orIeNTAL INSTITUTe of The UNIverSITy of ChICAgo Chicago • Illinois Series Editors Leslie Schramer and Thomas g. Urban Series Editors’ Acknowledgments rebecca Cain, françois gaudard, foy Scalf, and Natalie Whiting assisted in the production of this volume. Cover and Title Page Illustration Part of a cosmogonical inscription of Ptolemy vIII euergetes II at Medinet habu (Mh.B 155). Photo by J. Brett McClain Printed by McNaughton & Gunn, Saline, Michigan The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Services — Permanence of Paper for Printed Library materials, ANSI z39.48-1984.
    [Show full text]
  • Steam Ship Sudan 2020-Enga
    The Steam Ship Sudan, an authentic steamship built at the dawn of the 20th century, brings turn-of-the-century travel to life again. THE DYNASTIC Luxor to Aswan 6 days – 5 nights D1 – LUXOR TO QENA Transfer to the ship. Settle in on board and into your cabin. Lunch on board. Afternoon visit of Luxor’s east bank through the discovery of the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest sacred site in the world ; it especially comprises the Temple of Amun, the patron deity of Karnak. Its construction lasted from the Middle Kingdom till the Ptoleamic Kingdom. Visit of the Temple of Luxor. Built under Amenophis III and extended under Ramesses II, the Temple of Luxor is the most elegant pharaonic building. Sailing towards Qena, located north of Luxor. Only a few ships sail this splendid stretch of the river Nile where you will be able to enjoy the sunset and admire both banks of the Nile. Dinner and overnight stay on board in Qena. D2– QENA / DENDERA / ABYDOS / LUXOR Early start (2 hours drive) to Abydos, a holy city and the cult centre of Osiris, regent of the Kingdom of the Dead and god of resurrection. From the Ancient Kingdom era, Abydos was an exceptional site of pilgrimage. The Temple of Seti I is a wonder with its colourful and fine bas-reliefs which mark the birth of Ramesside art. Visit of the Temple of Dendera on the way back. Dendera is the name of the spectacular temple of Hathor, Goddess of love and joy, also known for protecting women and nursing Pharaohs.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient History
    ANCIENT HISTORY Explain the political and religious significance of the building programs of the pharaohs of this period. Undertaking extensive building programs carried many benefits for New Kingdom Egyptian pharaohs. It allowed them to fulfill a political, as well as a religious role through their building works. The political significance of building programs was that it allowed pharaohs to express their enormous power through colossal statues and impressive buildings. This use of propaganda resulted in the pharaoh being loved and respected by his subjects and feared by his enemies. The religious significance of a pharaohs building programs was that it allowed the pharaoh to openly demonstrate his or her respect for particular gods. By displaying this level of admiration for the gods, as well as offering them daily prayers and provisions, the pharaoh believed that they would be rewarded with peace and prosperity throughout the land, which ultimately helped them maintain ma’at. The mortuary temple built and dedicated to Amenhotep III, the Temple of Seti I at Abydos and the Great Temple of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel, are examples of building programs undertaken by pharaohs, in New Kingdom Egypt, which contain a significant amount of political and religious influence on Egypt as a whole. Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple is the largest temple to be built on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes. It is roughly five hundred and fifty meters wide and seven hundred meters long,1 covering an area of approximately thirty eight hectares. The temple was dedicated to the creator god, Amun- Re, but there was also a smaller temple dedicated to the mortuary god Ptah-Sokar-Osiris2 as well.
    [Show full text]
  • (Modern Luxor) Ancient Greek Name for the Upper Egyptian Town of Waset
    Originalveröffentlichung in: Donald B. Redford (Hrsg.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt III, Oxford 2001, S. 384-388 384 THEBES complexes, extended over an area of more than 4 kilo­ meters (2.4 miles) in length and 0.5­1 kilometer (about a quarter to a half mile) in width. The great number of monuments, many exceptionally well preserved, make the Theban area the largest and most important archaeologi­ cal site in Egypt. Eastern Bank of the Nile. A discussion of the princi­ pal archaeological features follows. The temple of Karnak. Archaeologically, the eastern bank of Thebes is dominated by the gigantic temple com­ plex of Karnak, the home of Egypt's main god Amun­Re from the time of the Middle Kingdom onward. The earli­ est known parts of the temple have been dated to the first half of the eleventh dynasty, when a presumably modest temple, or a chapel, for the god Amun was erected by King Antef II. The temple was substantially expanded in the twelfth dynasty, during the reign of Senwosret L The temple, however, seems to have remained in this state for almost four hundred years. From the eighteenth dynasty until the Roman period, Karnak was a place of continu­ ous building activity, but of varying intensity. The temple of Luxor. The main part of the temple of Luxor was founded by Amenhotpe III (r. 1410­1372 BCE). An earlier triple shrine (bark­station), built by Queen Hat­ shepsut and Thutmose III (r. 1502­1452 BCE) north of the first pylon, remained in use at later times; then in the nineteenth dynasty, Ramesses II added an open court to the north of the existing Amenhotpe III building.
    [Show full text]