The Temple of Edfu

Construction & Location

Ptolemy III – Eurergetes I began the construction of the temple in 237 BC and it wasn’t completed until about 57 BC. The ancient Egyptians believed that the temple was built on top of the location where the infamous battle of Horus and Seth took place. Situated north to south, the Temple of Edfu sits atop an earlier temple that was situated east to west. The temple is an excellent example of traditional Egyptian elements with Greek influences mixed in. This great temple lies at the center of the cult of a triad of Gods: Horus of Behdet, Hathor and their son, Hor-Sama-Tawy.

It took close to 180 years to complete the construction of the Temple of Horus.

Layout

The Temple of Edfu is comprised of a main entrance, a courtyard and a chapel. To the West of the main entrance is the Birth House, also called the Mamisi. Here, the annual Festival of Coronation was held to honor the divine birth of Horus and the pharaoh. Inside the Mamisi are several scenes that depict the story of Horus’ divine birth in the presence of Hathor and other birth-related deities.

© Jorge Láscar - Forecourt of the temple and the Birthhouse inside it

Perhaps the most striking features of the Temple of Horus are the gigantic pylons that stand at the entrance to the temple. At 118 feet high, they are decorated with battle scenes of King Ptolemy VIII defeating his enemies for Horus. As the tallest of the surviving Egyptian temples, the pylons also contain four large grooves that would have been used to anchor flags.

© Walwyn - Edfu Temple

Through the main entrance and between the enormous pylons is an open courtyard. Floral capitals grace the courtyard on three sides. Beyond the courtyard is a Hypostyle hall also known as the Court of Offerings. It is here where two black granite statues of Horus stand. One statue no longer has legs and lies on the ground. The other statue stands ten feet tall and is a popular photo opportunity for tourists.

© Vernon Fowler - Temple of Horus statue

A second, smaller Hypostyle hall lies beyond the first and was known as the Festival Hall. The Festival Hall is the oldest part of the temple and during festivals it would be decorated with flowers and scented incense.

The Festival Hall leads into the Hall of Offerings where Horus’ image would be carried to the roof to be re-energized by the heat and light of the sun. The Hall of Offerings leads to the Sanctuary. As the holiest region of the temple, the sanctuary contains a black granite shrine that was dedicated to Nectanebo II. Reliefs in the sanctuary depict Ptolemy IV – Philopator worshiping Horus and Hathor.

The sanctuary is surrounded by many chapels and chambers. These include:

• The Chapel of Min
• The Chapel of the Spread Wings (dedicated to Mehit)
• The Chapel of the Throne of Re
• The Chamber of Linen
• The Chamber of the Throne of the Gods
• The Chamber of Osiris
• The Chamber of the West
• The Chamber of the Victor
• The Chamber of Khonsu
• The Chamber of Hathor
• The Sun Court (dedicated to the Goddess Nut)
• …and the Tomb of Osiris

© discopalace - Sanctuary at Edfu Temple

Temple of Edfu: Reliefs and Points of Interest

• The Temple of Horus has a Nilometer. The Nilometer was accessed downstairs from the Inner passage that surrounds the sanctuary.
• On the northern wall of the court, a relief depicts the divine marriage of Hathor and Horus of Behdet. The divine marriage was celebrated twice a year, once at the Temple of Edfu, and once at the Dendera Temple.
• The northern wall of the court also contains the Journey of Hathor from Dendera to Edfu and vice versa.
• The Temple of Horus contains many battle scenes including the famous scene of the Ritual of the Temple foundation.
• On the inside of the western outer corridor, a relief depicts the legend of the conflict between Horus and Seth, the subsequent victory of Horus and his ultimate coronation to rule the world.
• Inside the sun court there are depictions of the voyage of Nut on her solar barque (boat) throughout the twelve hours of daylight