---
title: Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5357/shrine-of-ptolemy-viii--cleopatra-ii/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-07-22
---

# Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5357.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5357.jpg)

## Image Caption

Shrine of [Ptolemy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemy/) VIII & [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) II, originally from the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/), Philae, found reused in a Coptic church, [Ptolemaic Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemaic_Dynasty/), reign of Ptolemy VIII, c. 170-116 BCE.

The shrine held a cult statue of the goddess Isis, who is mentioned in the inscriptions. It stood in one of the sanctuaries of one of her famous temple on the island of Philae. Holes on all sides of the recess hold held two door leaves and bolts. The statue inside was only revealed when the priests performed their daily rituals. The gap is flanked by papyrus columns, with a cobra frieze and winged sun-discs at the top. The shrine is one of four placed in the temple by King Ptolemy VIII and his wife, Queen Cleopatra II. On the base, stand two figures of the king with raised arms. He supports the sky (represented as a horizontal band) and with it, the statue that stood inside the shrine. Due to its isolated location, the Isis temple at Philae stayed longer in operation than any other [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) temple, well into the Christian era. It was closed around 535 CE by order of the [Byzantine Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Emperor/) Justinian.

The British Museum, London.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, July 26). Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5357/shrine-of-ptolemy-viii--cleopatra-ii/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 26, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5357/shrine-of-ptolemy-viii--cleopatra-ii/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Jul 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5357/shrine-of-ptolemy-viii--cleopatra-ii/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 26 July 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.