Christian altar in the first hypostyle hall at Philae temple complex
Christianity seems to have been present at Philae by the fourth century, at which point it coexisted with traditional Egyptian religion .
According to the Coptic hagiography , the first bishop of Philae was Macedonius, (attested in the early fourth century ) who is said to have killed the sacred falcon kept on the island , though modern experts question the historicity of this account .
By the mid fifth century, a petition from Bishop Appion of Syene to co-emperors Theodosius II and Valentinian III indicates the presence of multiple churches on the island functioning alongside the pagan temples .
Traditional worship at Philae appears to have survived into at least the fifth century, despite the anti-pagan persecutions of that time .
In fact , the fifth century historian Priscus mentions a treaty between the Roman commander Maximinus and the Blemmyes and Nobades in 452 , which among other things ensured access to the cult image of Isis .
The temple was closed down officially in AD 537 by the local commander Narses the Persarmenian in accordance with an order of Byzantine emperor Justinian I .
This event is conventionally considered to mark the end of ancient Egyptian religion .
However its importance has recently come into question, following a major study by Jitse Dijkstra who argues that organized paganism at Philae ended in the fifth century based on the fact that the last inscriptional evidence of an active pagan priesthood there .
Nevertheless, some adherence to traditional religion seems to have survived into the sixth century, based on a petition from Dioscorus of Aphrodito to the governor of the Thebaid dated to 567 .
The letter warns of an unnamed man ( the text calls him “ eater of raw meat “ ) who , in addition to plundering houses and stealing tax revenue, is alleged to have restored paganism at “ the sanctuaries “ , possibly referring to the temples at Philae .
Philae retained significance as a Christian center even after its closure as a pagan site .
Five of its temples were converted into churches ( including the temple of Isis , which was dedicated to Saint Stephen ) , and two purpose built churches were constructed on the north side of the island .
Holy of Holies
Contains touching scenes that combine Isis and Osiris, such as the scene in which Isis spread her wings behind Osiris , saying , “ I will embrace your beauty “.
It has a pink granite base where the sacred boat bearing the image of Isis was located .
Scenes of the Holy of Holies represent Ptolemy II , who presents various vessels to the goddess Isis .
Scenery of the winged Isis protecting the king .
The right part of Horus and his birth and the left part of Ozer , and this explains the separation between life and death .
On the western side of the antechamber there is a small room with a door leading to the exit from the temple to reach Hadrian’s Gate . This door leads to a staircase leading to the roof of the temple .
Scene of the idol “ Bes “ in Hathor’s cabin
He plays music on the little harp and tambourine and dances .
It is an idol associated with fun , music , feasts and celebrations.
It is also associated with the goddess Hathor, the goddess of arts , beauty and motherhood .
It is also associated with birth rituals .
It protects children and sleepers .
Depicted on cosmetics and the hand of mirrors .
As well as on cutting household furniture such as beds and seats .
And on the walls of homes .
As a symbol of protection from evil spirits with a strange image that resembles it , but is good that does not carry its evil .
Despite its frightening appearance , the intention is to turn fear into fun .
He is depicted in the form of a dwarf with a lion’s head , a feathered crown , a long tail and a drooping tongue .
Often the ancient Greeks and Romans inspired their famous god “ Bacchus “ .
Walls from the outside :
The god Osiris is worshiped in the form of a bird by three deities . There is also the Nile god “ Habi “ depicted in a large serpent surrounded by a lotus crown and on his head , there is papyrus , carrying two containers of water in his hands .
The eastern gate of the temple:
Hall of Trajan ( Trajan’s kiosk )
Trajan ruled the Roman Empire from 53 AD to 117 AD ; He is the second ruler of Rome.
During his reign , Roman lands were expanded to the surrounding areas .
In the southeast of the temple, there is the Trajan Pavilion, which is the most attractive little building on the island . It was built in the Roman era .
Its construction is not finished yet , there is no roof or floor, but inside , there are 14 stone columns, and 7 stone columns on each side , the top of the pillars is one of the most beautiful columns of plants in Egypt .
It has two doors , one in east and the other is in west , and there is on the walls that Trajan presents the offerings to Isis , the god of death ( Osiris ) .
This place is also called “ Pharaoh’s Bed “ .
Comments
Post a Comment