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Temple de Louqsor Comme le temple de Karnak, le temple de Louqsor est un ensemble de structures érigées par les rois successifs. L'entrée principale, aujourd'hui, est l'effigie de Ramses II (1279-1213 avant J.-C.), côtoyée par deux statues assises du roi (l'une est derrière l'obélisque) et une statue debout (une des quatre originales). L'obélisque restante, en granite rose, est située devant la statue assise la plus à l'est. L'obélisque qui était située à l'ouest est actuellement à Paris, sur la place de la Concorde, depuis 1836. |
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Temple de Louqsor Deux gigantesques statues sont situées de part et d'autre de l'entrée du temple de Louqsor. La plus à l'est (sur la photo) mesure 14 mètres de haut. |
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Cour de Ramses II Derrière l'entrée du temple de Louqsor se trouve la cour de Ramses II (1279-1213 avant J.-C.).L'ensemble des colonnes bordées de papyrus fermés, qui entouraient la cour sur ses quatre cotés à l'origine, est aujourd'hui interrompue à son coin nord-est par le présence de la mosquée d'Abu el-Haggag. Des statues de Ramses II, debout, comblent la plupart des espaces entre les colonnes. Les couronnes de plusieurs de ces figures sont aujourd'hui tombées au sol parce qu'elles étaient seulement ajoutées séparément. |
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Le temple de Thebes La plupart des routes qui menaient au temple de Thebes (Louqsor moderne) sont bordées de sphinxs. Chaque sphinx protège, entre ses jambes, une statue de Ramses II disposée debout. |
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Le temple d'Amun à Karnak Standing in the shadow of the First Pylon of the Temple of Amun at Karnak (in Luxor, Egypt), one is struck by the length of its east-west axis and the colossal size of its columns. Like all other temples in Egypt, this one symbolizes the mound of the original creation. The ground rises ever so gradually from the entrance toward the sanctuary. The columns are stone replicas of the vegetation which was growing in the the marshy land around the mound of creation. In the center of this first court are the ruins of the kiosk of Taharqa (690-664 B.C.E.), one column (middle ground, right) of which is complete. Beyond the kiosk before the Second Pylon are two standing statues of Ramesses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.E.). After the Second Pylon, the columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall can be seen. |
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The Great Hypostyle Hall of
Karnak The Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple was begun during the reign of King Sety I (c.1290-1279 B.C.E.) and was completed by his son, Ramesses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.E.). The north-south axis of the hall provides views which reveal not only the immensity but also the practicality of the architecture. The central row of 12 columns on the east-west axis are 69 feet/21 meters in height, about 33 feet/10 meters in circumference, and have open papyrus capitals. The 122 columns in the side aisles are 43 feet/13 meters in height, 27.5 feet/8.4 meters in circumference, and have closed papyrus-bud capitals (as seen here). Remember that the whole of this hall was roofed with stone slabs, and the interior was quite dark. The difference in height between the central and the side aisle columns was used to provide natural light through clerestory windows which have vertical stone slats (top center). The Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology conducts an epigraphic survey in the Great Hypostyle Hall. [Epigraphy is the recording of inscriptions.] This survey, partially funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (a federal agency of the United States), is under the direction of Dr. William J. Murnane of The University of Memphis. Each spring an Institute team, comprised of Dr. Murnane, other faculty, and graduate students, return to continue the survey. |
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The Obelisk of Thutmose I Beyond the Third Pylon and in the Central Court of Karnak Temple is the Obelisk of Thutmose I (c.1493-1479 B.C.E.). This is the last of four obelisks which originally stood in front of the Fourth Pylon, which, in the time of Thutmose I, was the entrance into Karnak Temple. The obelisk is 71 feet/21.7 meters in height, sits on a base 6 feet/1.8 meters square, and weighs about 143 tons. Each side of the obelisk has three vertical lines of inscription, the central one being a dedication by Thutmose I. |
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The Sixth Pylon of Karnak Temple Just to the east of the Sixth Pylon of Karnak Temple is the vestibule to the sanctuary (right), where the priests kept the portable shrine used by the god’s statue in processions. In the vestibule, built by Thutmose III (c.1479-1425 B.C.E.), are these two granite columns, elegant reminders of the importance of the concept of a unified Upper (Nile valley) and Lower (Nile delta) Egypt. These columns are decorated in raised relief with the papyrus on the left (north/the delta) and the lotus on the right (south/the valley). |