The Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu was an important New Kingdom period temple structure in the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt. Aside from its size and architectural and artistic importance, the mortuary temple is probably best known as the source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramesses III.
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, from the air on the East side. The long wall facing the camera is the Northeast wall.
One of John Beasley Greene's set of the earliest photos of the temple, showing the second pylon before excavations
The first European to describe the temple in modern literature was Vivant Denon, who visited it in 1799–1801.[1]Jean-François Champollion described it in detail in 1829.[2]
Initial excavation of the temple took place sporadically between 1859 and 1899, under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities. During these decades the main temple was cleared, and a large number of the Greco-Roman period buildings, including a substantial Byzantine Church in the second court, were destroyed without notes or records being taken.[3]
The further excavation, recording and conservation of the temple has been facilitated in chief part by the Architectural and Epigraphic Surveys of the University of Chicago Oriental Institute, almost continuously since 1924.
Description
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III, general view from the south
The temple, some 150 m (490 ft) long, is of orthodox design, and closely resembles the nearby mortuary temple of Ramesses II (the Ramesseum). The temple precinct measures approximately 210 m (690 ft). by 300 m (1,000 ft) and contains more than 7,000 m2 (75,347 sq ft) of decorated wall reliefs.[4] Its walls are relatively well preserved and it is surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure, which may have been fortified. The original entrance is through a fortified gate-house, known as a migdol (a common architectural feature of Asiatic fortresses of the time).
The first pylon leads into an open courtyard, lined with colossal statues of Ramesses III as Osiris on one side, and uncarved columns on the other. The second pylon leads into a peristyle hall, again featuring columns in the shape of Ramesses. The third pylon is reached by continuing up a ramp that leads through a columned portico and then opens into a large hypostyle hall (which has lost its roof). Reliefs and actual heads of foreign captives were also found placed within the temple, perhaps in an attempt to symbolise the king's control over Syria and Nubia.
In the Greco-Roman and Byzantine period, there was a church inside the temple structure, which has since been removed. Some of the carvings in the main wall of the temple have been altered by Christian carvings.
The royal palace was directly connected with the first courtyard of the temple via the "Window of Appearances".[5][6]
Minor king list
The Medinet Habu king list is a procession celebrating the festival of Min, with the names of nine pharaohs. It can be found on the upper register of the eastern wall in the second courtyard.
Gallery
Sketch of the inscriptions on the northeast wall at the temple, by James Henry Breasted
^Denon, Vivant (1803). Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt. p. 96.
^Lettres de M. Champollion le jeune, écrites pendant..., 18th letter
^Jeffreys, David (12 October 2012). Views of Ancient Egypt since Napoleon Bonaparte: Imperialism Colonialism and Modern Appropriations. Taylor & Francis. pp. 167–. ISBN978-1-135-39404-2.
William J. Murnane, United with Eternity – A Concise Guide to the Monuments of Medinet Habu, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago and the American University of Cairo Press, 1980. ISBN0-918986-28-1
Archaeological reports
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu I, Earlier Historical Records of Ramses III (OIP 8; Chicago, 1930)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu II, Later Historical Records of Ramses III (OIP 9; Chicago, 1932)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu III, The Calendar, the 'Slaughter House,' and Minor Records of Ramses III (OIP 23; Chicago, 1934)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu IV, Festival Scenes of Ramses III (OIP 51; Chicago, 1940)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu V, The Temple Proper, part 1 (OIP 83; Chicago, 1957)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu VI, The Temple Proper, part 2 (OIP 84; Chicago, 1963)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu VII, The Temple Proper, part 3 (OIP 93; Chicago, 1964)
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu VIII, The Eastern High Gate (OIP 94; Chicago, 1970)
W. F. Edgerton, Medinet Habu Graffiti Facsimiles (OIP 36; Chicago, 1937)
Uvo Hölscher, Medinet Habu 1924–1928. II The Architectural Survey of the Great Temple and Palace of Medinet Habu (season 1927–28). OIC, No. 5. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1929.
H. J. Thissen, Die demotischen Graffiti von Medinet Habu: Zeugnisse zu Tempel und Kult im Ptolemäischen Ägypten (Demotische Studien 10; Sommerhausen, 1989)
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mortuary temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu.
Richard Miles. "The Age of Iron". Ancient Worlds. 9:20 minutes in. BBC 2. Retrieved 20 Nov 2015.
January 28, 2023
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The Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu was an important New Kingdom period temple structure in the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt Aside from its size and architectural and artistic importance the mortuary temple is probably best known as the source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples during the reign of Ramesses III Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet HabuMortuary Temple of Ramesses III from the air on the East side The long wall facing the camera is the Northeast wall Medinet HabuShown within Northeast AfricaShow map of Northeast AfricaMedinet HabuMedinet Habu Egypt Show map of EgyptLocationMedinet HabuCoordinates25 43 10 92 N 32 36 2 52 E 25 7197000 N 32 6007000 E 25 7197000 32 6007000Typemortuary templeSite notesExcavation dates1859 and 1899 Contents 1 Modern identification and excavation 2 Description 3 Minor king list 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 Archaeological reports 9 External linksModern identification and excavation Edit One of John Beasley Greene s set of the earliest photos of the temple showing the second pylon before excavations The first European to describe the temple in modern literature was Vivant Denon who visited it in 1799 1801 1 Jean Francois Champollion described it in detail in 1829 2 Initial excavation of the temple took place sporadically between 1859 and 1899 under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities During these decades the main temple was cleared and a large number of the Greco Roman period buildings including a substantial Byzantine Church in the second court were destroyed without notes or records being taken 3 The further excavation recording and conservation of the temple has been facilitated in chief part by the Architectural and Epigraphic Surveys of the University of Chicago Oriental Institute almost continuously since 1924 Description Edit Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III general view from the south The temple some 150 m 490 ft long is of orthodox design and closely resembles the nearby mortuary temple of Ramesses II the Ramesseum The temple precinct measures approximately 210 m 690 ft by 300 m 1 000 ft and contains more than 7 000 m2 75 347 sq ft of decorated wall reliefs 4 Its walls are relatively well preserved and it is surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure which may have been fortified The original entrance is through a fortified gate house known as a migdol a common architectural feature of Asiatic fortresses of the time Just inside the enclosure to the south are chapels of Amenirdis I Shepenupet II and Nitiqret all of whom had the title of Divine Adoratrice of Amun The first pylon leads into an open courtyard lined with colossal statues of Ramesses III as Osiris on one side and uncarved columns on the other The second pylon leads into a peristyle hall again featuring columns in the shape of Ramesses The third pylon is reached by continuing up a ramp that leads through a columned portico and then opens into a large hypostyle hall which has lost its roof Reliefs and actual heads of foreign captives were also found placed within the temple perhaps in an attempt to symbolise the king s control over Syria and Nubia In the Greco Roman and Byzantine period there was a church inside the temple structure which has since been removed Some of the carvings in the main wall of the temple have been altered by Christian carvings The royal palace was directly connected with the first courtyard of the temple via the Window of Appearances 5 6 Minor king list EditThe Medinet Habu king list is a procession celebrating the festival of Min with the names of nine pharaohs It can be found on the upper register of the eastern wall in the second courtyard Gallery Edit Sketch of the inscriptions on the northeast wall at the temple by James Henry Breasted 1830s from The Holy Land Syria Idumea Arabia Egypt and Nubia Migdol entrance to Medinet Habu from the south east Egypt Medinet Habou Thebes Brooklyn Museum Archives Goodyear Archival Collection Ceiling decoration in the peristyle hall First pylon and the forecourt 1872 orientalist painting by Wilhelm Gentz set in the peristyle court Ramessid columns in the peristyle court first courtyard First courtyard and second pylon from inside Second courtyard and the facade of the peristyle hall One of the towers of migdol entrance as seen from the north at Medinet Habu Columns in the First Courtyard Reliefs Egyptian hieroglyphs art Ramesses III prisoner tiles Glass and faience inlays found at the royal palace of Medinet Habu depicting Egypt s traditional enemies Egypt Medinet Habu Thebes Brooklyn Museum Archives Goodyear Archival Collection Egypt Pavilion of Rameses III Thebes Brooklyn Museum Archives Goodyear Archival Collection Medinet Habu Temple Ceiling Medinet Habu Temple Ceiling Medinet Habu Temple Piles of Hands An accounting method of determining how many killed in battle Medinet Habu Temple Piles of Genitals An accounting method of determining how many killed in battle Medinet Habu Temple Column Detail Column Detail from the grand hypostyle hall Medinet Habu Temple Column Detail Medinet Habu Temple Column Detail Habu Temple Scene Note the colors Foor details first hypostyle Hall Habu Temple Scene Pharaoh Rules Habu Temple Scene Note the God gives Pharaoh an Ankh life See also EditMortuary Temple of Amenhotep IIIReferences Edit Denon Vivant 1803 Travels in Upper and Lower Egypt p 96 Lettres de M Champollion le jeune ecrites pendant 18th letter Jeffreys David 12 October 2012 Views of Ancient Egypt since Napoleon Bonaparte Imperialism Colonialism and Modern Appropriations Taylor amp Francis pp 167 ISBN 978 1 135 39404 2 Medinet Habu by M Parsons Medinet Habu The Mortuary Temple Retrieved 2012 02 06 Medinet Habu Retrieved 2012 02 06 Further reading EditWilliam J Murnane United with Eternity A Concise Guide to the Monuments of Medinet Habu Oriental Institute University of Chicago and the American University of Cairo Press 1980 ISBN 0 918986 28 1Archaeological reports EditThe Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu I Earlier Historical Records of Ramses III OIP 8 Chicago 1930 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu II Later Historical Records of Ramses III OIP 9 Chicago 1932 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu III The Calendar the Slaughter House and Minor Records of Ramses III OIP 23 Chicago 1934 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu IV Festival Scenes of Ramses III OIP 51 Chicago 1940 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu V The Temple Proper part 1 OIP 83 Chicago 1957 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu VI The Temple Proper part 2 OIP 84 Chicago 1963 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu VII The Temple Proper part 3 OIP 93 Chicago 1964 The Epigraphic Survey Medinet Habu VIII The Eastern High Gate OIP 94 Chicago 1970 W F Edgerton Medinet Habu Graffiti Facsimiles OIP 36 Chicago 1937 Uvo Holscher Medinet Habu 1924 1928 II The Architectural Survey of the Great Temple and Palace of Medinet Habu season 1927 28 OIC No 5 Chicago University of Chicago Press 1929 H J Thissen Die demotischen Graffiti von Medinet Habu Zeugnisse zu Tempel und Kult im Ptolemaischen Agypten Demotische Studien 10 Sommerhausen 1989 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mortuary temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu The Epigraphic Survey The Oriental Institute University of Chicago A Foreign Captive at Medinet Habu Christianization of the ancient temples Byzantine Empire Medinet Habu Picture Gallery 2006 Richard Miles The Age of Iron Ancient Worlds 9 20 minutes in BBC 2 Retrieved 20 Nov 2015 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III amp oldid 1123090848, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
