The city history
The city where we are in now is called Ku-Ombu :
( Ku ) means mountain .
( Ombu ) means gold .
- Combining them means “ golden hand “ .
The city of Ku Ombu is located 40 kilometers north of Aswan . And it belongs to Aswan Governorate , Aswan is the largest city in Egypt, the hub of industry in this city is agriculture the basis of cultivation here in sugar cane .
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, many sugar factories were built , depending mainly on sugar cane , which is widely grown in this city .
In the Greek era , the city ( Ku-Ombu ) became one of the richest cities in Egypt because the Greek army also needs elephants when fighting . This city has a valley which leads directly to the Res Sea . Through this valley , the ancient Egyptians transported large quantities of elephants to the Red Sea .
By training these elephants , then reselling them to the Greeks , so the ancient Egyptians in this city were very rich , So that they have enough capital , it took a long time to build such a large temple ( Ku Ombu Temple ) .
The Temple of Ku Ombu was built during the period of Ptolemy IV in 205 BC . The oldest building is the innermost part of the temple . The temple was built in various stages , the construction process passed during the Greek period. Then it continued until the period of Roman rule in 217 AD.The construction period is approximately 422 years the ancient Egyptians carried out all construction work on the temple . As “ Philae temple “ which is too unique . “ Philae temple “ is one of the few double temples . It is called the Double God Temple because it is used to worship two gods . The first deity is the eagle god that represents positive energy. The other deity is the crocodile god that represents negative energy.
The Temple is divided into two identical sections by taking the vertical bar of this key as a central axis . Both the buildings and the murals on the left and the right are independent systems . On our right side , the South Gate is located and it was built for the crocodile god Sobek ( negative energy ) .
On our left side , that is , the north gate which was built for the eagle god Horus
( positive energy ) . Above hieroglyphics , there is a sun disk engraved on each side , Around the sun disk are two shapes of cobra with eagle wings , the sun disk symbolizes the whole of Egypt , a cobra with eagle wings symbolizes lower Egypt .
At the same time the cobra is a garrison, this symbolizes that it is protecting this temple. Even protecting the whole of Egypt. After seeing the gate , we move to look at the wall next to it . This wall isolates the temple from the outside world . People outside the temple cannot look at the inside to preserve the sanctity of the temple.
Not only this , there are many cobras carved on the wall , these guards “ Cobras “ protect this temple as well to prevent ghosts and evil spirits from approaching this temple .
Architectural elements of the temple: -
1) The outer wall of the temple ( destroyed mud bricks)
2) Outer corridor ( inner wall )
3) Inner corridor
4) Birth House
5) An open courtyard
6) The Great Column Hall
7) The Small Column Hall
8) Holy Holies of the god Horus ( left side )
9) Holy Holies Sobek ( right side )
10) The three internal halls
11) Hathor shrine
12) Gate of the temple
13) The outer pylon
14) Sobec shrine
15) A well used to measure the Nile Water level .
Architectural description of the birth house:-
It consists of an open front yard leading to a pillar hall that had four columns leading to an external hall , and behind it an internal hall in which the rituals of the birth of the main temple idol were performed .
Main views :
On the front of the pillars hall we find a view of the hin , the Nile Habi north and Habi south in front of the King , then inside we find a view of Ptolemy VIII carrying offerings behind him , Queen Cleopatra carrying roses .
In the outer hall , we find a god who kills a snake , a symbol of evil , the scenes of the offering bearers , the goddess Hathor , the god Khonsu and a group of other gods .
In the inner hall , we find the King offerings the maat to the god Thoth and other gods , and we find a scene of the king offering sacrifices to the god Sobek and a scene of the King on a boat in the middle of the jungle , accompanied by a group of different deities , including the god ( Min ) .
There is a unique sight that is not found in any temple in the temples of Egypt . Its ritual is the presentation of geese and papyrus to the deity ( Ka Mu if ) , the Lord of fertility , and the purpose of this rite is to restore the cycle of life.
Secondly, the shrine of the goddess Hathor: -
Location: It is located to the east of the temple, on the wall of the temple.
Its history : It goes back to the reign of the King ( Domitian ) . It was built in the Roman model , so that it was built on a terrace , to which we reach through a ladder .
Architectural description:-
It is a single room , rectangular in shape , with a large glass box containing three crocodile mummies, and it is devoid of any inscriptions .
Shrine Front Views :-
We find a scene of the goddess Hathor at the entrance, followed by a view of the goddess ( Death ) carrying a musical deity , and behind her the King ( Domitian ) offers wine to the different deities .
Third , the gate of Queen “ Hatshepsut “ and King “ Thutmose III “ :-
Located on the western side of the temple wall , we find on it a scene of one of the Ptolemaic Kings in front of the god , and a scene representing King Tuthmosis the third and cartouches of Queen Hatshepsut .
Fourth , the gate of King “ Ptolemy VIII “ :-
Located on the western side of the temple , we find on it a scene of King Ptimus killing his enemies in front of the gods and offering victims to the god Sobek and the goddess Hathor .
And another scene of the King offering offerings, incense , and gifts to the different gods , and other scenes that are offering offerings by the King .
Fifthly , the compartment of the god Sobek : -
It dates back to the reign of the emperor ( Caracalla ) located in the northeastern side of the temple .
Description: Shown on a high terrace , to which we reach through a staircase , it has a rectangular building . In front of the entrance are two square columns with a view of Emperor Caracalla and other emperors .
Sixthly , the Nilometer :-
It dates back to the Roman era , and is located on the northwest side , which is a round well connected to another small , round well , which is connected to a square-shaped basin with degrees .
This measurement was used to determine the water level during the flood days , and then taxes are determined on the agricultural land attached to the temple .
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