Review - The Temple of Edfu

Thanks very much to Kat Newkirk for her review, following, of The Temple of Edfu: The Temple of Edfu A Guide by an Ancient Egyptian Priest by Dieter Kurth.

Kat read the book whilst recovering in hospital from an accident, so here's wishing her a huge "get well soon".

The Temple of Edfu A Guide by an Ancient Egyptian Priest by Dieter Kurth, translated by Anthony Alcock, American University in Cairo Press, c. 2004, ISBN 977-424-764-7.

This slim volume contains a large quantity of information in a small space. The 89 pages contain four chapters, a glossary, a chronological table, map, bibliography, and numerous illustrations, including photos, line drawings, and plans.

The first chapter includes a basic overview of AE temples, as well as comments on the deities and the way they were worshipped. It has a brief description of several kinds of temples used for different cultic functions.

The second chapter is a brief description of the modern history of the temple, from the end of the pharaonic era through its modern discovery, excavation, and study. This is full of fascinating details not usually found in other books on Edfu- speculations on how the cult ended, and the profane uses of the Coptic and post-Arabic conquest periods. Though necessarily brief, these details offer glimpses into the temple's later history and uses, and an insight into its remarkable state of preservation.

The best part of this book is the translation of a hieroglyphic text running in a band around the entire perimeter of the temple's enclosure wall. This text, called 'The Great Building Inscription', was written by a senior priest. It's both a history of the temple's construction and a guide to the temple, listing each room and court in its turn. The translation is marked by capital letters in parentheses that correspond to rooms in the building plan, so you can follow along. This should also serve as a guide for those people lucky enough to travel.

The book doesn't include the hieroglyphs of the inscription, with the exception of cartouches, which are shown in line drawings. There are also no transliterations of the text.

All in all, this is a useful little volume, and it deserves a place on any Egyptophile's bookshelf.