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It is warm sunny morning as 22 pilgrims climb aboard a ferry to cross the Nile, then on to an air-conditioned bus on the West bank. Our first stop is at the Colossi of Memnon, the last remnants of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep 11. These 19.5-meter statues of the Pharaoh have been badly damaged by weather and ancient tourists.
Nearby, statues of Amenhotep's mother and Queen Tiy were felled by earthquakes. The ruins produced a musical sound under certain weather conditions. It was thought by the ancients that the music came directly from the Gods, so this became a very popular spot to visit. Even the Emperor Hadrian was said to have come to hear it. Unfortunately, today there is no music. It stopped in 199 A.D., when the statues were repaired.
The Colossi were renamed Memnon*1 by the Greeks after the legendary hero, who was killed during the Trojan wars.
North of Luxor is the Abydos, Temple of Osiris, Lord of the Underworld. This temple is known for its wonderful wall paintings and pillars that seem to glow with a light all of their own. Abydos is linked to the earliest dynasties and in 1993 the earliest known tomb and some of the oldest hieroglyphs were found here.
The original temple was built by Seti 1, when he came into power 29 years after the collapse of the regime of Akenaten.* The temple dates to around 3150 B.C. The site was believed to be a very sacred and powerful location. It is thought that Seti wanted to restore the beliefs in the traditional Gods and show his dedication to Osiris. The myth goes that Osiris*1, after being murdered by his brother Set, returned to power here.
Originally the approach to the site was along a canal extending to the Nile. Remains of this can still be seen. It was extensively landscaped, studded with gardens and ponds. Unfortunately, the gardens have returned to the desert and the courtyard is in a ruinous state. The temple itself is in good condition because it has never been pillaged. Relief carving during that time was at its peak and every inch of the walls are covered with exquisite scenes.
We enter a huge courtyard. On outer walls are reliefs of great military battles, including piles of severed hands. The Osirieon abuts the main Temple.
The temple consists of the outer and inner hypostle hall, with its roof intact and lit only by natural light. It also has seven sanctuaries that are the core of the temple. These are consecrated to Seti 1 the king, Amon, Mut and Khensu, three great creator Gods and the Osirieon Triad, Osiris, Isis and Horus.
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