The Colossi of Memnon close to the Valley of of the Kings on the West Bank of the River Nile in Egypt
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3400 years they have stood in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor. The twin statues depict Amenhotep III (fl. 14th century BC) in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze turned eastward toward the river and the rising sun. Two shorter figures are carved into the front throne alongside his legs: these are his wife Tiy and mother Mutemwiya. The side panels depict the Nile god Hapi. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandstone which was stone quarried at either Gebel el Ahmar (near modern-day Cairo) and near Edfu (north of Aswan) when reconstructed.[1] Including the stone platforms on which they stand, they reach a towering 18 metres (approx. 60 ft) in height. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep's mortuary temple, a massive cult centre built during the Pharaoh's lifetime, where he was worshipped as a god-on-earth both before and after his departure from this world.
Size: 3350px × 5044px
Location: The Colossi of Memnon close to the Valley of of the Kings on the West Bank of the River Nile in Egyp
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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