Philae, Jewel of the Nile
The Temple of Aset
The Outer Court The beautiful litography by David Roberts giving a good overview of the first court and the colonnades as seen even today. The Outer Court is flanked by two colonades, the eastern and the western one, which was never completed. The western one holds windows which were overlooking the island of Bigeh before the removal of the buildings to Agilkia. The eastern one was never completed, but here are the chapels to Arensnuphis and Mandulis, both Nubian deities, and, next to the main temple, a chapel to Imhotep. The First Pylons, built by Ptolemy XII, are 18 m high and lead into the Inner Courtyard and the Mamissi..  Approach across the Outer Court towards the 1st Pylons.  Two granite lions flanking the portal. The leftmost door leads on to the Mammissi. On the back side of the western pylon wall are depictions of priests carrying the barque of Isis. 
Looking back from the entrance towards the southernmost end of the island. In ancient times this place was probably swarming with worshippers, godservants, pilgrims in strange clothing, as well as craftsmen; temple builders, stone masons and painters. 
Plan over the temple structures. 
Closeup on the pillar heads. On the temple wall are reliefs of Isis and Horus. Elsewhere there are reliefs depicting Ptolemy XII slaying his enemies and making offerings to the gods. The Builders: Some blocks from the New Kingdom Period have been found on the island but they could have been transported here in later times. Taharqa of the 25th Dynasty left some 18 block here. They were probably used for a small shrine to Amun. There is also the 'Altar of Taharqa' which was found at the southeastern end of the Inner Court. Amasis Khunimbre (570-526 B.C) was probably the earliest builder of a temple structure on the small island. Archaeological evidence has not proven otherwize. There was about 300 decroated blocks from a temple built by him found in the foundations of the 2nd Pylons and the Hypostyle Hall, preserved under the pavement of the temple built by Ptolemy VI. This small temple consisted of three rooms, the last of them serving as a sanctuary. It is thought that it was taken down to make room for the new structure. Nectanebo I (ca 379-360 B.C) was the next one. He also made the enclosure walls with a monumental gate. Besides that he also built a kiosk and begun constructing the mammissi, i.e. the birth house. Ptolemy II Philadelphius (284-246) contined the temple and the birth house, and the following ruler, Ptolemy III Euergetes I, (246-221) extended the birth house. Ptolemy V Epiphanes (205-180) added the first pylons. Ptolemy VI Philopator (180-145) added the second pair of pylons, located at the inner court, He also added the court and the pronaos, and the Temple of Hathor on the eastern side of the great temple. Ptolemy VIII Euergetes III (164-163 and 145-116) extended the birth house where rituals to certify each rulerīs descent from the dieties were celebrated. He also put up a pair of obelisks at the first pylons and extended the Temple of Hathor. 
Detail of the stonework. 
Next the Mammissi. |
Philae Island
Aset, Great of Heka Itīs All In Her Myths! Akhet: Pages about Contact: Image sources: Copyright 2000 - 2006. All right reserved.
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Background: David Roberts, litographies.
Profile of Island - Temples of the Last Pharaos by Dieter Arnold
Mary Ann Sullivan (1 photo) at Digital Imaging Project
The rest is authorīs own photos.
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