The Temple of Horus at Edfu is considered one of the most beautiful and preserved temples in Egypt dating back to the Greco-Roman period, as its construction started with Ptolemy IV reign.
Edfu city was named with Apollopolis Magna, as the Greeks linked between the ancient Egyptian god, Horus, and their Greek god, Apollo. This city was known as the center for worshipping a triad of gods, (Horus of Behdet – his wife Hathor – their son, Hor-Sama-Tawy).
This temple of Edfu is located on the west bank of the Nile River. This is unique in ancient Egyptian history as it is a temple for god, so it should be on the east.
This temple is consists of the traditional elements of the temple during the ancient Egyptian times, with adding some elements of the Greco-Roman time, as the mamisi (house of divine birth).
Let’s start our tour in Edfu temple
- Firstly, you will find the pylon. It is considered one of the best surviving pylons among temples in Egypt. This pylon is decorated with scenes depicting the king in a battle smiting his enemies in front of the god Horus, the main god of this temple.
- Secondly, you will enter the open courtyard. This courtyard was opened to the public, as people entered this place for giving the offering to the god Horus.
- Then, there is the Hypostyle Hall. This hall contains two rooms, the library, and the storeroom of the temple. In addition, the scenes of the construction of the temple.
- Finally, at the end of the temple, there is the Holy of Holies. It houses a niche made of granite and the dais for resting for the divine boat.
Among the important scenes in the temple, scenes are depicting the divine marriage of Hathor and Horus of Behdet. This was considered as a feast in the ancient Egyptian myths occurring twice a year, once at the Dendera Temple and the second at the Edfu Temple.
There is another scene depicting the legend of the conflict between Horus and Seth, the victory of Horus over Seth, and Horus’s coronation to rule ancient Egypt.
