Colossi of Memnon
two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous stone sculptures of Amenhotep III, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. The sculptures depict the king sitting on a throne, protected by a divine cobra, and facing the Nile River. His wife and mother are shown as small figures at the front of the sculptures.
The Colossi of Memnon were constructed as watchtowers for Amenhotep’s complex of cemeteries using stones that mined at el-Gabal el-Ahmar, the source of quartzite. However, due to the frequent earthquakes and flooding in Egypt, this vast complex was eventually damaged.
The Colossi of Memnon are the first structures visitors notice on the west bank. These impressive structures, each one weighing 1000 tons and carved from a single block of stone, rise 18 meters from the plain. They were located near the eastern entrance of the Amenhotep III Funeral Temple, the biggest structure on the west bank. Egyptologists are currently excavating the temple, and their findings are behind the colossi.
The Colossi of Memnon, a popular tourist site in Luxor, is located west of the city in Theban Necropolis.
Luxor Tours & Activities
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Location of the Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon, a popular tourist site in Luxor, is located west of the city in Theban Necropolis. The two sculptures are situated on the major road to the west bank, half a kilometer east of the Antiquities Inspectorate.
Amenhotep III & the Glory of Egypt
Amenhotep III ruled a prosperous Egypt during the New Kingdom. He inherited a stable kingdom at a young age and married Tiye, known as the “Great Royal Wife.” Together, they were a great couple. During his reign, he built 250 magnificent structures, including Malkata Palace.
The Grand Mortuary Complex
Amenhotep III’s funeral complex was bigger and better than anything Egypt had ever seen, even surpassing the Temple of Karnak. The complex covered over 86 acres, had many halls and chambers, and was likely decorated with statues. The king’s enormous sculptures flanked the entrance.
The king’s statues symbolized his reign, tribute to Osiris, and authority. Osiris was the ruler of the afterlife and ancient Egypt’s first king. Amenhotep III made his bond with Osiris more significant than earlier rulers, emphasizing his wealth and authority.
The name comes from the Greek hero Memnon. He was eventually killed by the Greek hero Achilles.
The Greek Mythology About Colossi Of Memnon
The name comes from the Greek hero Memnon. He was eventually killed by the Greek hero Achilles. Despite being on the opposing side, Memnon’s bravery and fighting skills earned him the title of a Greek hero. When Greek visitors saw the impressive sculptures at the Colossi of Memnon, they mistakenly associated them with Memnon’s mythological story instead of the intended reference to Amenhotep III.
The ancient site, known as the Memnonium by Greek writers, was renowned for its divination abilities due to one of its statues producing oracular sounds. The Colossi has always been a popular tourist attraction and even today, one can observe graffiti on the base from visitors who came thousands of years ago.
The legend of the “Vocal Memnon”
Strabo, a Greek historian who lived from 65 BCE to 23 CE, is credited with the first description of singing that would eventually be referred to as such. According to Strabo, an earthquake broke the upper portion of a northern statue, which began making noise every morning at dawn. Strabo further states, “I do not know where the sound originated from, whether the statue itself, the base, or from one of the individuals standing close, but I will accept any explanation other than that the stone figure was somehow “speaking.”
The Singing Monument attracted visitors from various social classes and geographical areas for divination. According to the “Vocal Memnon” legend, those who heard its unusual sounds were blessed. The monument gained popularity beyond Egypt, with foreign visitors, including Roman emperors, seeking its blessings. The graffiti at its base indicates whether visitors heard the music.
F.A.Q
The king’s statues symbolized his reign, tribute to Osiris, and authority. Osiris was the ruler of the afterlife and ancient Egypt’s first king. Amenhotep III made his bond with Osiris more significant than earlier rulers, emphasizing his wealth and authority.
The Colossi of Memnon was largely damaged by an earthquake in 27 BC, but Roman rulers in ancient Egypt later repaired it.
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous, colossal stone sculptures of Amenhotep III, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.
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