Impulse Egypt

7. March 2024

HELIOPOLIS AND THE SOLAR CULT IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BC, Massimiliano Nuzzolo & Jaromir Krejci

The article reassesses and re-discusses the available archaeological and textual evidence of the city of Heliopolis, in the attempt to clarify its role in the historical evolution of the solar cult and religion in third millennium BC Old Kingdom Egypt. By connecting archaeological evidence with landscape phenomenology as well as private sources with royal texts and decorative material, the paper emphasises how certain Egyptological assumptions, usually taken for granted, are far from being proven. It eventually shows that the key of the discussion has to be searched for in the study of the relationship between Atum and Re.

Keywords: Heliopolos, solar cult, third millennium BC, Old Kingdom, Egyptian religion, Atum, Ra.

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Publication Date: 2017

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The great river Nile, the longest waterway in the world, pulsates with the ‘tears of Isis.’ that the Goddess shed for her lost man, Osiris. We offer exclusive mystical journeys over the most sacred landscape.

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The Philae Temple Complex, located on an island in the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, is a stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture and culture.

The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. Over the centuries, various rulers and dynasties expanded and modified the temple, resulting in a complex that showcased a rich blend of architectural styles and artistic traditions.

Despite being partially submerged by the waters of the Nile due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, the temple complex remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt and a testament to the enduring legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

In this article, we will explore the history, significance, and features of the Temple of Isis at Philae, providing a glimpse into one of the most remarkable structures of the ancient world.

The Philae Temple Complex is one of Egypt’s most unique and historically significant sites. Located on an island in the Nile River, the complex is a collection of temples built by the ancient Egyptians over several centuries. The complex was originally dedicated to the goddess Isis, who was believed to be a mother figure and protector of Egypt.

The earliest known temple at Philae dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Nectanebo I (380-362 BC). This temple was dedicated to Isis and her husband, Osiris. During this time, Philae became a major center for the worship of Isis and Osiris. Many other temples were built on the island during this period, including ones dedicated to Horus, Hathor, and Sobek.

During the Ptolemaic period (323-30 BC), Philae underwent significant changes and additions. The most significant change was the construction of a large temple complex dedicated to Isis by Ptolemy II (285-246 BC). This temple complex featured two main temples: one dedicated to Isis and one dedicated to Osiris. It also included several smaller temples devoted to gods such as Horus and Hathor.

The Roman period (30 BC-395 AD) saw further changes at Philae. Emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD) built a new temple complex devoted to Isis on top of an older structure built by Ptolemy II. This new temple featured two main halls: one for worshipping Isis and one for worshipping Osiris. In addition, Augustus also added several other structures, such as a library, a theater, an amphitheater, and baths.

In 641 AD, Philae was conquered by Arabs, who destroyed much of its religious monuments to convert it into an Islamic site. However, some original temples were left intact due to their historical significance. In 1858 AD, British engineers restored many of these monuments to preserve them for future generations.

Today, the Philae Temple Complex is considered one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites due to its rich history spanning over three thousand years. It is also home to incredible artifacts, such as statues depicting various gods and goddesses from ancient Egyptian mythology and hieroglyphics telling stories about their lives and beliefs.

The Aswan Dam was built in 1960 and was designed to help control flooding along the Nile River. The dam also provided electricity to many parts of Egypt and Sudan. However, it threatened many historical sites along the river, including Philae Temple. The rising waters would have completely submerged this ancient monument if not for an international effort to save it.

In 1959, UNESCO launched an international campaign to save Philae Temple from being flooded by the Aswan Dam and Nile River. The campaign involved several countries worldwide coming together to raise funds for an ambitious project: moving Philae Temple away from its current location on an island in the Nile River to another nearby island that would be safe from flooding.

The project was successful, as engineers could move all of the temple’s blocks without damaging them. They then reconstructed them on their new island home, Agilkia Island, which was located just 500 meters away from its original location on Philae Island. This relocation saved Philae Temple from being flooded by both the Aswan Dam and the Nile River.

Visitors can still see this incredible monument on Agilkia Island, preserved since its relocation in 1960. It reminds us how international cooperation can help keep our cultural heritage even during significant change or danger.

Philae Temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open for visitors year-round to appreciate its unique beauty and history firsthand. It serves as a reminder that even though modernity may threaten our cultural heritage at times, we can still unite as a global community to protect it for future generations.

HELIOPOLIS AND THE SOLAR CULT IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM BC, Massimiliano Nuzzolo & Jaromir Krejci

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