Temple of Edfu
Apollonopolis Magna · Behedet · Idfu · Temple of Horus at Edfu
Ptolemaic (237–57 BCE)·Ptolemaic Egyptian (Hellenistic Pharaonic)·🇪🇬 Aswan Governorate, Egypt
About
About Temple of Edfu
Best-preserved temple in Egypt: Ptolemaic Temple of Horus built 237–57 BCE (180 years) after plan of Old Kingdom then New Kingdom prototypes, buried by Nile silt and desert sand until re-excavated by Mariette 1860, with complete pylon (36 m high), court, hypostyle, and intact sacred barque sanctuary. Wall texts preserve Edfu Building Texts, myth of Horus vs Seth, festivals, and temple economy. Twin of Philae in preservation importance.
Why it mattersMost intact temple in Egypt; Rosetta for temple ritual texts
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why building texts claim plan from Imhotep's wooden model (mythic pedigree assertion)
- 02Cause of temple's rapid silt burial preserving it vs flood history
Theories
- 01Edfu built to assert Greek Ptolemaic legitimacy via traditional pharaonic form (Manning)
- 02Complete preservation due to Christian reuse and then sand dune cover until 19th c
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Started Ptolemy III Euergetes 237 BCE; completed 57 BCE Ptolemy XII
- Period
- Ptolemaic (237–57 BCE)
- Culture
- Ptolemaic Egyptian (Hellenistic Pharaonic)
- Purpose
- Cult centre of Horus the Behdetite and site of yearly Triumph of Horus over Seth reenactment
- Excavation
- Excavated
Started Ptolemy III Euergetes 237 BCE; completed 57 BCE Ptolemy XII
Initial construction
c. 1210 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
24.9783° N · 32.8736° E · 100 m · 3 mapped features
First Pylon
pylon36 m granite-naos pylon with sunk relief of Ptolemy XII smiting enemies
24.9788° N · 32.8730° EHypostyle Hall
hallHall with 12 columns with varied floral capitals and astronomical ceiling
24.9783° N · 32.8738° ESanctuary of Horus (Holy of Holies)
sanctuaryPink granite naos housing ritual barque, intact roof and ritual scenes
24.9778° N · 32.8742° E
Gallery