Dendara Complex; Temple to the Birth of Isis
unknown (Egyptian (ancient))
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Alternative Title
Dendera Complex; Temple to the Birth of Isis
Date
-100-14Description
View showing the remains, depicting raised reliefs; Behind the Temple of Hathor is a temple commemorating the birth of Isis; its preserved parts, incorporating reused Ptolemaic blocks, date from the time of Augustus (reigned 27 BCE-14 CE). Its dual orientation is almost unique: the hypostyle halls (destroyed) faced the eastern gateway of the enclosure, while the sanctuary faces north towards the Temple of Hathor; the east wall of the inner part has a false door linking the two areas symbolically. The temple is compact, and the rooms flanking the sanctuary are scarcely more than corridors, but they are fully decorated. The sanctuary focuses on a unique scene of the birth of Isis, partly carved in high relief, which fills two registers; it was severely damaged in Early Christian times. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/19/2008)
Type of Work
excavation (site); templeSubject
architectural exteriors, deities, Egypt--Religion, Roman Empire, Ptolemaic, Greco-Roman
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only