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This picture shows the first pylon
(gate) at Medinet Habu with massive reliefs showing Ramses III
smiting the Libyans amongst others. Impressive isn't it, but we
have already passed through the eastern high gate, visited the Saite
Chapels on the left and another, smaller temple, built by Queen
Hatshepsut, Thutmose III and added to during Greek and Roman rule
on the right. Not bad for a temple that many people miss and we
haven't got to the best part yet! |
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This is the first court at Medinet
Habu.
Pauline chats to a "Gafir" whilst a group of Egyptian
students head off to the second court. The large figures of Ramses
III facing south were mostly destroyed by the Copts and this is
the best preserved corner . |
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The second court of Medinet Habu
is by far the most impressive if only for the colours that remain
giving a real insight into how this temple must have looked over
three thousand years ago.
Pauline is dwarfed by the structure and this is
only a small corner of the second court. |
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Couldn't see the colours of Medinet
Habu in the previous picture well here under the columns out of
the bright sun they can clearly be seen reaching right up to the top of the
temple. |
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The second court of Medinet Habu
is where the best colour is and these bas reliefs of the ancient
gods are each about one and a half metres high.
On the very right of this picture is one of the
colourful columns that can be seen clearly in the next picture. |
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Half way along these columns of
the second court at Medinet Habu you turn right to enter the first
hypostyle hall.
It really is difficult to believe that these amazing
colours are over three thousand years old. |
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This is all that remains of the
three hypostyle halls at the far end of Medinet Habu but don't be
too hasty to turn around and head out of the temple as this was
the cult centre of the temple and very few people would ever have
seen this area in the time of Ramses III and later kings.
Around these halls are little chapels which are
well worth a visit. Some very colourful, some beautifully carved
but all different and most interesting. |
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Behind the first pylon at Medinet
Habu - on the left hand side as you approach it - is this hunting scene which is the only one of its type
to be found in Egypt.
Ramses III is shown on his chariot with spear in
hand chasing a bull towards the Nile after already killing two bulls
that are shown laying on their backs. Only Ramses would be allowed
to kill the bulls whilst his hunting party, shown at the bottom
here, would hunt the smaller animals. Isn't is great when you can
write your own history! |
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