Der Tempel von Esna
The temple was constructed during the reign of Ptolemy VI in 181 BC (on the ruins of an ancient Egyptian temple from the time of Thutmose III). A hypostyle hall was added to it in the Roman era during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius in 40 AD. Its area is 33 meters by 16.5 meters, and it is one of the most beautiful hypostyle halls in Egypt. The construction and decoration of the temple were completed in separate stages until 250 AD. During the reign of Muhammad Ali, the temple was used as a cotton storehouse until it was cleared of debris in 343 AD, and the temple was discovered. The temple was built for the god Khnum, his wife Mihit, the goddess of the wind, and their daughter Anuket.
image of the Temple Facade
Beschreibung des Tempels
As is customary for temples in the Greco-Roman era, the temple of Esna consists of a colonnaded facade with wall reliefs. In the Temple of Esna, these reliefs depict Roman emperors Trajan, Claudius, and Nero in Egyptian clothing and wearing Egyptian crowns, worshipping the god Khnum. There is also a scene of the coronation of Claudius between Thoth and Horus. Entering through the central gateway, we find a hypostyle hall. On its inner walls are four rows of scenes depicting the worship of Egyptian gods by Roman kings and emperors, most importantly the god Khnum. The kings are also depicted offering sacrifices to the god Khnum and his wife Mihit (depicted in the form of a lioness).
image of the Temple Façade
Roman kings and emperors in pharaonic forms offering sacrifices to the temple gods Khnum, Mihit, and Nebtu.
The most important interior scenes depict the creation of humans, the festivals of the god Khnum, and scenes of the temple’s foundation.
On the temple’s ceiling, we always find scenes of the goddess Nut, the goddess of the sky, and astronomical scenes representing the constellations.
The architectural style of the hypostyle hall
The hypostyle hall is distinguished by the presence of 24 columns, 6 of which are on the temple’s facade and 18 inside, divided into three rows of 6 columns each. Each column differs from the other in its decoration and capitals, reflecting the genius of the Egyptian artist in blending ancient Egyptian art with Greek art.
Image showing the variety of capitals in the hypostyle hall.
Capitals of the hypostyle hall
Image for inner walls of the hypostyle hall
The entrance to the old temple
As we see at the entrance to the old temple (of King Thutmose III), there is a scene of the god Khnum with the head of a ram and the body of a human entering the solar disk. This scene means that the god Khnum is protected by the god Ra, the great sun god.
the old temple Facade
We also find a scene of King Ptolemy in pharaonic form and beside him his wife, Queen Cleopatra, offering sacrifices to the god Khnum. (The most important scene in the temple is the scene of the potter’s wheel. In it, we see the god Khnum’s function as the creator of humans from clay on the potter’s wheel, as he always creates humans in the form of a person along with their Spiritual double)
The god Khnum shaping the child on the potter’s wheel.
Recent discoveries
Recently, scenes of the zodiac (the twelve astrological signs) have been discovered, as well as images representing some planets such as Mars. There are also images of some stars that the Egyptians knew to determine the time.
images representing some planets
Scenes of inscriptions whose colors appeared after restoration, showing images of the temple’s foundation and the rituals of the goddess Nut, goddess of the sky, and an image of the god Nekhbet.
Scenes of inscriptions whose colors appeared after restoration, showing images of the temple’s foundation and the rituals of the goddess Nut, goddess of the sky, and an image of the god Nekhbet.
Scenes of inscriptions whose colors appeared after restoration, showing images of the temple’s foundation and the rituals of the goddess Nut, goddess of the sky, and an image of the god Nekhbet.
Scenes depicting Emperor Titus in royal attire from his palace, carrying four symbols of the gods Khnum, Thoth, Horus, and Anubis.
