Colossi Of Memnon Facts
If you have been to Luxor before, you are probably familiar with the two magnificent statues of King Amenhotep III that sit on the West Bank of Luxor. If you haven’t, then let us tell you about one of Luxor’s main attractions and the mysterious story behind it.
What is the Colossi of Memnon?
The Colossi of Memnon are twin image statues for Pharaoh Amenhotep III, along with two smaller statues carved by his feet for his wife and mother. Each statue is 60 feet tall and weighs about 720 tons, standing at the entrance of the mortuary temple.
What are the Colossi of Memnon made of?
The Egyptologists believe that the two colossi of Memnon materials used were quartzite sandstone, quarried at El Gabal El Ahmar near modern Cairo, and transported to Thebes (Modern Luxor).
When was the Colossi of Memnon built?
Amenhotep III built the two Colossi of Memnon during the 18th dynasty. They were the guardians of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III that stood behind them but was destroyed by an earthquake and floods; only the twin statues survived for thousands of years.
Amenhotep III;who built the colossi of memnon?
Colossi of Memnon, erected by Amenhotep III, was one of the greatest builders of Ancient Egypt; he reigned from 1386 to 1349 BCE during the 18th dynasty. He built around 250 buildings in his 37 years of rule. Some scholars think that he must have ruled for more to have time to build all of them. His mortuary temple, which is guarded by the two colossi, was one of the greatest constructions ever, even bigger than the Luxor Temple. It was destroyed in 27 BC, soon after its completion, and restored by Roman Emperors during the Roman Empire in Ancient Egypt.
Why is it called Colossi of Memnon?
You are probably wondering by now why it is named the Colossi of Memnon if they are the statues of Amenhotep. The Romans gave it that name, and the Greeks referred to the whole complex as Memnonium.
Who is Memnon?
Memnon was a hero of the Trojan War; he was the King of Ethiopia. He traveled to Asia Minor with his army from Africa to defend the city under attack and was killed by the famous Greek Hero Achilles; you might know him from the movie Hercules.
interesting facts about colossi of memnon;Why is the Colossi of Memnon important?
Colossi Of Memnon Sound
The silence of Memnon
The sounds stopped entirely after the statue was repaired by a Roman Emperor. After that, the popularity of the statues declined as people stopped going to them as it was no longer a miraculous oracle that answered their prayers, but it remained as a touristic attraction.
