EDFU, EGYPT

Edfu (known in antiquity as Behdet) is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, with a population of approximately sixty thousand people. The town is known for the major Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, built between 237 BC and 57 BC, into the reign of Cleopatra VII.

Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple was constructed over the site of a smaller New Kingdom temple, oriented east to west, facing towards the river. The later structure faces north to south and leaves the ruined remains of the older temple pylon to be seen on the east side of the first court.

The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Graeco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. In particular, the Temple's inscribed building texts provide details of its construction, and also preserve information about the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation. There are also important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.