Ancient Egypt is as famous for its incredible Temple complexes as for its impressive tombs and palaces. Stretching all through Egypt from the Delta to Sudan, these Ancient Egyptian Temples stand as testimony to the talent of the great master builders of that time and also act as the source of the ever-appreciated Classical Greek architecture.

Ancient Egyptian Temples Karnak, Thebes

Ancient Egyptian Temples

The Karnak temple complex was built over a huge span of time, 2000 to 30 BCE, and as such obviously doesn’t present an architecturally united example of construction. The temple complex was built of hard granite, sandstone, and limestone, and hence stood the test of time, unlike the administrative buildings and residential areas constructed of mud and crude brick.

The temple consists of a First Pylon dedicated to Amun, pillared colonnade, the Temple of Seti II divided into 3 chapels, the Temple of Ramases III, the Second pylon built by Ramases I, a vestibule lined with statues of Ramases II and cartouches of Rameses I and Seti II at the doorway.

The most important portion of this temple is the Hypostyle Hall with its 140 pillars, planned by Horemheb, begun by Ramases I and completed by Seti I. As far as information about the rituals of the Amun temple is concerned, the reliefs on the inner walls depicting Seti I and Ramases II are a rich source. Across the Hypostyle is a Third Pylon built by Amenhotep III, whose reign climaxed the glories of the Thutmosid Empire.

Luxor Temple

There are many dissimilarities between the Ancient Egyptian Temples of Karnak and Luxor. The Luxor temple is simple and uncomplicated, unified because built within a span of 200 years only and conceived as a whole. The kings who ordered the building of this temple were Amenhotep III and Ramses II. It consists chiefly of a Pylon, Forecourt, Colonnade, a Second Forecourt, Hypostyle Hall, and Sanctuary, all on one straight axis.

On the left of the Hypostyle Hall was a Roman Altar dedicated to Emperor Constantine, definitely a later addition. The Hypostyle Hall leads to a vestibule which was converted into a Christian Church in the 4th Century CE.

Temple of SetiI

The necropolis of Abydos is another important ancient Egyptian site, as it flourished as the home of the cult of Osiris. Abydos was supposed to be his burial place and here the god was restored to life. The king Seti I was a follower of this cult and in honor of the same built the temple at Abydos.

This temple has the distinction of being the most complete of all Egyptian temples. The most outstanding features of the temple are its wall decoration and its unusual “L” shape. The pylon and the First Court of the temple no longer remain, the Second court consists of a terrace with twelve square pillars of Ramases II.

The Second Hypostyle hall contains the Seti reliefs, behind which are seven sanctuaries completely covered with reliefs. Behind these is the Osiris Hall, the shrine bearing King List and the Offering hall. South of the temple is the Cenotaph of Seti I.

The Ramesseum

King Ramses II ‘s building enterprise extends from the temple at Tanis to Abu Simbel in Nubia. The mortuary temple known as the Ramesseum stands on the Theban plain. The Greeks called it the Memnonium or the Tomb of Ozymandias, made ever popular by the sonnet of Shelley. The Ramesseum covers an area of 130, 000 square feet. The main entrance was from the Eastern Pylon. The glory of the Ramesseum is the Hypostyle Hall with profusely decorated battle scene pillars.

At the southern extreme of the Theban Necropolis is a group of buildings called Medinet Habu, the most important being the mortuary temple of Rameses III. It is the best-preserved building of the Ramesside period, copying the exact general plan of the Ramesseum. The girdle wall of this complex has a group of independent Ancient Egyptian Temples like those of Thutmose III, Amenhotep I and Hatshepsut.

These sanctuaries are an eloquent testimony to the reverence of the people towards their gods, the experience of a spiritual presence comforting and encouraging the followers. Terms like “primitive polytheism” and “commercialized priestly actions” are too strong to be used in such instances, without deeper analysis of the psyche of the people, time and space that went into constructing these immortal symbols of Ancient Egypt.