Luxor Temple Complex, Luxor Egypt, 1400

Located a mile south of the Karnak temple, Luxor is an important religious center as well as political center. The two temples, located at the south end of Thebes, were joined by an avenue lined with rows of stone sphinxes that stretches over a mile long. Once a year, this avenue was used for the Opet festival which was when the Egyptians carried status of Amun and Mut to symbolically reenact their marriage. The temple of Luxor itself was said to be dedicated to Amon. 

The Luxor Temple is about 850 feet long and about 213 feet across the front with the important Nile River sitting across the road from the temple. Founded during 1400 BCE during the New Kingdom, the temple complex was the work from only three pharaohs which is less compared to some of the other Egyptian temples. The three pharaohs that contributed to the construction of the temple were Amenophis III, Tutankhamen and Ramses II. 2 

Construction for this temple complex began during the reign of Amenhotep III in the 14th century BCE, using local sandstone. Many of the major architecture that is admired today took place under Ramses II, which was done about 100 years after construction first began. However, during the Late Period, the temple complex was said to disintegrate due to not being used. In attempts to restore the glory of Amenhotep’s times, the complex underwent reconstruction in the 320s BC under Alexander the Great ruling. 

Plan of Luxor

The Luxor temple complex contains several pylons courtyards with porticoes, and a hypostyle hall. In addition, there is a more private area that included the sanctuary, a birth house and other small rooms. The entire complex is considered monumental as some of the pylons are 70 yards long. The first pylon or the entrance pylon is over 70 feet high and is declared with scenes of Ramses’s military triumphs. Formally, six statues of Ramses were placed at the entrance of the temple complex along with a pair of 25-meter tall granite obelisks (stone pillars). Today, only two of the statues along with only one pillar. 3

The temple complex also has a peristyle courtyard, built under the ruling of Ramses II. Also, built by Amenhotep III is a 100-meter corridor lined by 14 columns. Later, under Tutankhanmun’s ruling, decorations of the boy pharaoh was placed. Surrounding the complex is a Roman fortification wall. Originally with six gateways, it includes trapdoors and horseshoe-shaped towers. The wall and the towers were made of brick and not much remains today. 1

Luxor Temple present day

The Colonnade of Amenhotep III is an open court to the sky which is why modern authors has given it the name of the “Sun Court.” This vast out measures about 148 by 184 feet. It was in this court that many ceremonies were performed. 

Works Cited 

1 Charles Nims, "Places about Thebes," Journal of Near Eastern Studies, 14, no. 2 (1955): 114.
2 Sullivan, Mary Ann. "Temple of Luxor." Temple of Luxor. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2016.

"Sacred Destinations." Luxor Temple. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2016.

3 "Tour Egypt :: Luxor Temple of Thebes in Egypt, Part V: The Sun Court and Hypostyle Hall of Amenhotep III." Luxor Temple of Thebes in Egypt, Part V: The Sun Court and Hypostyle Hall of Amenhotep III. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2016. <http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/luxortemple5.htm>.