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Ptolomaic Egyptian Temple of Khnum at Esna
Temple of Khnum at Esna Egypt - Travel up the Nile to the Temple of Khnum the Creator God at Esna
The Temple of Khnum at Esna was built in Greco-Roman times by the Ptolemies. Cleopatra was the last of the Ptolomy Pharaohs. The remains of the Temple of Esna sit in a deep hole that represents the 2000 year accumulation of debris from the local town.
The temple was built on the site of older temples, and was complete with entry pylons and other normal temple rooms.
The temple remains now consist only of the first hypostyle hall of columns. It was dedicated to the ram headed god Khnum.
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The god Khnum was worshiped at Esna as the Creator. He embodied all things, and was closely associated with the process of conception. At Elephantine, he was seen as the guardian of the source of the Nile. Khnum is a good example of a god who meant different things to different peoples along the Nile. There was no clearly defined pantheon of gods recognized by all Egyptians. The power and scope of responsibilities for the gods varied with the political powers of their followers. |
As the creator god, Khnum, sculpted all living things on his potter's wheel. He continued to do this for each human born, making the being and his body duplicate, the Ka.
Each year there was a Festival of the Potters at Esna.
The temple at Esna has been excavated out of the midst of the town. It rests in a pit, far below the current level of the surrounding city. You must climb down a long flight of step to reach the entrance.
The reliefs and columns are beautiful, with a strong Western artistic influence.
There are several types of columns used in Egyptian temples. Illustration of some of these are available below.
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The differing
levels between the temple and the town. |
Pharaoh presents
precious oils to Maat and Sekhmet. |
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Among the columns
at Esna. |
The Creator God
Khnum. |
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Details of open lotus capital. |
Column detail. |
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A type of lotus
column used frequently in temples built by the Ptolemies |
Column base, decoration. |
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Pharaoh
presents offering to Hathor and Horus, high on the Temple wall. |
Illustrations of Egyptian column types. |
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