Kom Ombo, Egypt, is one of the most remarkable cities on the banks of the Nile. Along the Egyptian riverbed, you will find a lavish temple that stands proudly with more than 2,000 years of history in its stones.
The temple of Kom Ombo is one of the most famous in Egypt because it is completely symmetrical. It has two entrances, two hypostyle halls - covered halls supported by columns - and two sanctuaries. This is because the temple is dedicated to two different gods: Horus -- and Sobek. Although in many ways it is a double temple, it has several rooms and enclosures for common use.
The temple was begun in the second century B.C., during the Ptolemaic dynasty, and different elements were added during the Roman domination. For this reason, you will find many reminiscences of the Greco-Roman style in its architecture. For example, the pylon at the entrance was erected by Emperor Augustus and has several bas-reliefs showing Roman emperors making offerings to the Egyptian gods.
On the outside of the temple, you will find a superb relief showing the god Imhotep with the medical instruments of the time and various texts on the art of medicine. You will be surprised to find that the medical instruments of the time are very similar to those used today.
In addition, the temple of Kom Ombo, Egypt, is of great interest because it is one of the most important sanctuaries of the Pharaonic era dedicated to Sobek. This crocodile-headed god was the deity of the Nile and, according to some myths, the creator of the whole world. In fact, the Nile River, which flows meekly next to the complex, according to Egyptian tradition, is the sweat of Sobek.
A few steps from the temple of Kom Ombo, you can delve further into the history of this god at the Crocodile Museum. In this impressive museum you will find archaeological remains related to the Ancient Egyptian cult of crocodiles - and therefore of Sobek. It will be very interesting to find the mummies of crocodiles that have been found in the area and were used as objects of worship.
Kom Ombo consists of two temples, the Sobek Temple and the Hours Temple.
The construction is unique because of its double design, meaning that there were duplicate entrances, courtyards, halls, chapels and shrines for two gods: Sobek and Hours.
The temple is a testament to the importance that ancient Egyptian priests placed on the natural cycles and crocodiles of the Nile. The temple is visited to see mummified crocodiles, clay coffins and spectacular reliefs on the walls.
Witness the glory of the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Horus the Elder, and behold the awe of the hypostyle halls and shrines.
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