Snap Shot: Philae

Al Ahram Weekly (Mohamed el-Hebeishy)

THE ANCIENT Egyptians named it Philak, the Greeks Philae while the Arabs called it Anas Al-Wugud. Whatever its name, this remote Nile island doesn't exist anymore, submerged beneath the river water with the construction of the High Dam. Mohamed El-Hebeishy visited its temple complex after it was relocated to the island of Agilika.

The first to reach the small island of Philak, or boundary as the name means, were the ancient Egyptians. They built a garrison to protect the borders and a temple as well, a temple honouring the goddess Hathor, she with two faces, as it is referred to. Later came the Greeks followed by the Romans who built a whole complex of temples with the temple of Isis being the gem of the bouquet.

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