Temple of Amun Ra and Ra Harmakhis
This temple was constructed in the Valley of the Lions by Ramesses II (c. 1250 BCE) in honour of the gods Amun Ra and Ra Harmakhis. The back of the temple is hollowed out in the rock.
In the foreground stands the king's statue and a "dromos" of sphinxes, which have given the place its Arabic name.
Wadi-es-Sebui, Nubia, Egypt (1960)
Questions & Answers
What was the purpose of the temple in ancient Egypt?
- The temple in ancient Egypt was the literal home of the god it was built for. The high priest cared for and communed with the statue of the god there, and festivals were often begun in the reception area. There were no "worship services" conducted at ancient Egyptian temples as those would be recognized today.
What is the most famous ancient Egyptian temple?
- Karnak is the most famous Egyptian temple.
What were ancient Egyptian temples supposed to represent?
- Ancient Egyptian temples were understood to have been designed by the gods and represented the first moment a deity entered the mortal plane. They also were associated with the beginning of the creation of the world by the god Amun or, sometimes, the goddess Neith.
Could the general public have access to an ancient Egyptian temple?
- The general public was allowed in the courtyard and outer reception area of an ancient Egyptian temple but not in the interior and certainly not anywhere near the Holy of Holies where the deity's statue resided.
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External Links
Karnak Temple | World Monuments Fund
www.wmf.org
The Temple's Cult and Decoration | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
www.metmuseum.org
Temples of Ancient Egypt | Rick Steves Classroom Europe
classroom.ricksteves.com
World Heritage Centre - Working Together: Abu Simbel
whc.unesco.org
