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High on a hill overlooking the Nile stands the
Temple of Kom-Ombo about 45 k ilometers
north of
Aswan. The work for the actual temple began under
Ptolemy VI Philometor in the early Second Century BC. Outer
and inner hypostyle halls were built during the reign of
Ptolemy XIII.
The outer wall and part of the court were built
during the time of Augustus after 30BC. Several tombs dating
back to the Old Kingdom have been found in the vicinity of
Kom-Ombo village.
The Kom-Ombo Temple is built as a double
temple, one dedicated to Sobek and one to Haroeris. In ancient
times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the Nile river
banks nearby. The temple is known for the picturing of ancient
medical instruments and for the display of mummified
crocodiles.
Everything in this temple is duplicated along
the main axis. There are two entrances, two courts, two
colonnades, two hypostyle halls and two sanctuaries. The left
side is dedicated to Haroeris (sometimes called Harer, Horus
the Elder), the falcon headed sky god, and the right to Sobek
(the crocodile headed god). The two gods are accompanied by
their families, Haroeris’ wife named Tesentnefert, meaning the
good sister and his son, Panebtawy. Sobek likewise is
accompanied by his consort, wife Hathor and son Khonsu.
The foundation is all that is left of the
original Pylon. Beyond the Pylon there was a staircase in the
court once leading to the roof terrace. The court has a
columned portico and central altar. Scenes of the king leaving
his palace escorted by his nobles and a purification scene
give an insight how life was in ancient times . On either side
of the door are columns inscribed with icons of Lotus (south)
and Papyrus (north) symbolizing the “two lands” of
Egypt.
In the southwest corner stands one column that
does not echo the duality of the temple. Engraved are scenes
depicting the purification of the King, his coronation and his
consecration of the temple. The ceiling has astronomical
images. The hypostyle hall has papyrus capitals on the
pillars. Here an inventory tells of sacred places in Egypt,
about the gods of main towns and the local and national
festivals.
In the anti-chamber several pictures of goddess
Seshat show the beginning of the temple building followed by a
scene of the completed temple with the king throwing natron in
a purification ceremony. Statues of the gods and the builders
of the temple once occupied the room just before the
sanctuaries. The ceiling of the place to the north still
remains with an image of Nut.
To know more about Kom Ombo and the fascinating world
of ancient Egypt, come and visit the land of pharaohs
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