Thursday, June 16, 2011

Photo for Today - Medinet Habu



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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The pylon in the background dates from the reign of Nectanebo (30th Dynasty), The columns are re-used 18th Dynasty that Nectanebo's builders used to construct a porch.

4:34 pm
Andie said...

Thanks Anonymous. I looked it up in five books and this was the best that I could come up with. Good to know that there's someone out there with better info.

5:05 pm
Anonymous said...

The small temple at Medinet Habu has quite a complex history and reflects many of the changes that took place in Ancient Egyptian history. It was begun early in the 18th Dynasty, probably before Hatshepsut as the name of Amenhotep I has been found and then finished by Tuthmosis III. Restorations were made by Seti I to Akhnaten's defacements then Ramesses III had his name and titles carved rather deeply on the outside (possibly the hieroglyphs were inlaid). A forecourt was added under the Saites, though it is possible this was begun by the Ethiopians ( there are signs of the names of Shabaka and Taharka). Haqar (or Hakar, depending on the transliteration) made some additions to the side of the temple and added a column to support the roof. Nectanebo finished off the courtyard with a pylon and the porch (though it is very likely his name was added to existing unfinished work as there is evidence of Taharka's name). The Ptolemies began the work on a grand pylon that was fronted by a columned portico. Their pylon cut through the mud-brick wall of the Ramesses III temple and sits rather awkwardly alongside the fortified entrance to his temple compound. This pylon made use of material that in some instances came from the Ramesseum. The Ptolemies also rebuilt the entrance into the temple proper, carving the name of Alexander. In front of the still unfinished Ptolemaic work, the Romans began to add an open forecourt (the name of Antoninus Pius has been found). Used in part of this was the false-door from the mortuary temple of Tuthmosis III.To round off its history, it was converted into a Christian church dedicated to St Menas. There has been a team at work on the temple in recent years so though my information was correct when I studied the topic back in the Nineties, I expect there may well have been some re-interpretations.

10:59 am
Andie said...

That's great. Many thanks for taking the time to post.

12:48 pm
Feza said...

i love Egypt photos, bringing me back to early civilization era..gosh I'd too much watching TV. Nice job anyway!

10:06 pm

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