Temple of Luxor

In fact, the name Luxor comes from the Arabic al- Uksur, meaning “fortification” Which in turn derived from the Latin word “castrum” the word for a fortification. The temple was also called the ” Temple of Amen of the Opet,” Amenemopet” or ” The Southern Sanctuary.” Like the temples at Karnak, Luxor Temple has undergone numerous changes and additions over the past three millennia. Undoubtedly, an earlier Middle Kingdomtemple once stood on the site, perhaps even an Old Kingdom Temple before that. There is certainly evidence that Queen Hatshepsut built here in the 18th Dynasty. But the earliest structures visible today were erected by Amenhotep III,  and he and Rameses II were responsible for most of the temple’s huge colonnades and courts. Later, substantial redecorating was undertaken by Ptolemaic and Roman rulers, Christian priests, and Moslem sheikhs.

Luxor Temple | The Outer Courtyard Between the Sphinx avenue and the pylon

There is a huge shrine for the goddess Isis dating to the Roman period, surrounded by columns a statue wearing Roman clothes. The Rest of the area was always left empty probably to allow some space for the procession of Amon.

After the deth of Amenhotep III, Akhenaton ruled the country and ordered that all work is to be stopped in the temple of Amon, and the name of Amon was to be erased from all monuments. It was proved that Akhenaton had two temples in Luxor. But after the death of Akhenaton, Tutankhamon took place then Horemhab. Then SetiI then RamsesII.

Luxor Temple | The Pylon of Ramses II

The work in this pylon started in the first year of the reign of Ramses II, which is the time when work is started in the temple of Abu Simbel in the rock mountain. The finished their achievement in the 3rd year of the reign of Ramses II.

The pylon is about 65 M in length and 24 M height, at the top there are four vertical openings for the flags staff which would have golden, and opposite to these two pylons there were two Obelisks erected.

These two Obelisks were decorated by hieroglyphic inscriptions, till now we don’t know the actual reason of the erection of Obelisks in front of the temples, but there are some opinions saying that it is nothing but to notify the actual site of the temple, exactly like the minarets of the Mosques and the bells of the Churches, and especially that their peaks were in the form of a pyramid and covered with a layer of golden and copper which made it shining obvious all the time.

The western Obelisk was moved to France 1819, erected in Paris in the place de la Concorde. The eastern Obelisk 257 tons. The base of both Obelisks is decorated by four praying facing the pylon are six statues of Ramses II. Two the king seated.

The Two Pylons of Ramses II are all decorated with scenes of the king and his victories and invasions in Syria.

On the left pylon, we could see the Hittite Battle of Kadesh in Syria, where the king is shown on his chariot attacking the fortress of Kadesh and being surrounded by his enemies who have been arrow by him and his soldiers with a lot of wounded and killed shown on the screen. In another scene we could see the Hittites running away from the fortress of Kadash.

The military inscriptions of Ramses II. Rows of chariots of the Egyptian army shown with defeated Hittite and forts and cities been captured together with a strange scenes of the pharaoh’s lion attacking some enemies.

Luxor Temple | The shrines of Thutmose III

Built by Queen Hatshepsut, guarded by arrow of rose granite columns, each one is representing a bundle of papyrus stems. The style of art which is shown is representing the details and beauty of that period.

Thutmose III erased the name of the Queen, and then when Ramses II came to build his pylon, he carefully dismantled the shrine,then built his pylon. Then rebuilt the shrine with his own name carved as well. This shrine consisting of three chapels.

Luxor Temple | The Open Court of Ramses II

The open court is surrounded from all four sides by two rows of columns, 14 columns and eleven statues of Ramses II. There are two black granite statues, on their bases are scenes of conquered lands by Ramses II in Syria and Nubia. On the top of it are symbols of the unification of both lands. The scenes of the open court of Ramesses II,the celebration of the Opet festival by the god Amon, who moves from Karnak to Luxor temple. The Procession is lead by sons of Ramesses II, each one according to his age, were Merenptah is seen as number thirteen.

Luxor Temple | The Hypostyle Hall

The Hypostyle Hall is consisting of fourteen columns in the form of two rows, of open papyrus flowers, it is different than the rest of the columns in the temple the high of each columns is about 16 Meter, it is very much similar to the court of columns in Karnak temple but these are a bit shorter than the later.

AmenhotepIII was the one who built them and his name is seen at the top, though it was not the similar style of art in his period. Tutankhamon ,Horemhab,Seti I and Ramesses II completed this Hall.

These two rows of columns are surrounded by two enclosure walls. These walls are representing the celebration of the Opet festival. While it seems that it was done by Tutankhamon because his name is found more than once. These scenes on the west wall are representing the festival departing from Karnakto Luxor Temple, while the eastern wall is showing the festival arriving back to Karnak.

Luxor Temple | The Open court of Amenhotep III

Which are in the form of a bundle of Papyrus. The court was always open as it is now, but it had a great alter in the middle for the offerings and presents which were prepared for Amon. the temple was built out of sand stone blocks, which brought from Gabal el Selsela.

Luxor Temple | The Hypostyle hall of Amenhotep III

The Hypostyle hall of Amenhotep III representing the real Ancient Egyptian art- 64 columns. The floor of the court is higher than the rest of the temple. While we go deeper the we find that the temple goes higher in level and the roof gets lower than usual.

Luxor Temple | The Sanctuary

Alexander the Great when he was in power, he removed the columns of this sanctuary and the alter of the barque of Amon, and had a totally new sanctuary built that barque.Alexander the great performing his religious rituals.

Luxor Temple | The birth room of Amenhotep III

This was done especially to represent the king being born as a divine child from the god. It wasn’t the first time to have such representation Because Queen Hatshepsut already has the same scenes carved on the walls of her temple.