The Ptolemaic dynasty built the Kom Ombo Temple during the Roman invasion 180 years ago (BC). What distinguishes the Temple of Kom Ombo is that it stands on the river bank between Edfu and Aswan. This makes it an excellent stopover for Nile cruises and a significant attraction in Aswan. The temple is dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Harweris, the falcon god Horus. It is very unusual to erect an Egyptian temple of two gods.
How did Kom Ombo Temple originate?
In the past, the temple was between the Nubian people’s trade routes and the eastern desert’s gold mines. Later, it became a center for training wild animals used by Ptolemy VII in his war against the Seleucid Empire, and it was also built during his reign.
The spot where the temple was built was a favorite spot for crocodiles to sunbathe on the banks of the Nile, so it stands to reason that it is now a temple to the crocodile god.
Some changes were made over time, such as when Ptolemy VII added the hypostyle hall between 51 and 47 BC. And when Trajan was emperor from 53 to 117 AD, he said the forecourt and the outer walls.
Room design inside Kom Ombo Temple:
It is a double temple, each side dedicated to a different deity: Sobek on one side and Horus on the other. The two campuses are almost identical, making them look like one big building. Some changes were made later, such as when Ptolemy VII added the hypostyle hall between 51 and 47 BC, and when Trajan was emperor from 53 to 117 AD, the forecourt and the outer walls were built.
The entrance gate to the temple complex is believed to have been built by Cleopatra’s father, Ptolemy XII. Ptolemaic pharaohs, including Cleopatra VI, repeatedly painted scenes of them offering gifts to the gods on temple walls.
Column hall:
The central part of Kom Ombo Temple is the Hypostyle Hall, which contains fifteen columns with lotus flower capitals and images of the sun. The bases of the columns were decorated with lilies, symbolizing Upper Egypt, and papyrus, symbolizing the Nile Delta. On the other hand, the surface is covered with flying eagles. The Egyptian pharaohs associated themselves with the gods to make it clear to their people that they had chosen them as kings.
For example, Ptolemy XII is shown being purified by Horus and crowned by Haroeris on the outer and inner walls of the temple. Other carvings show him making offerings to the same gods along with Sobek, Isis, and a lion-headed deity. A large circle called the “Holy Wall” is west of the outer hypostyle hall. It was used to measure how deep the Nile was. Nearby, mummies of crocodiles are found in a small pond where sacred crocodiles are kept.
Hall inside:
Inside the hall, ten slender columns with reliefs of Ptolemy II offering sacrifices to the gods and his brother offering gifts to Haroeris are at the back of the hall. On the south wall are paintings by Sobek, and in the southwest corner, Haroeris gives Ptolemy II the Sword of Victory as his wife and sister look on. Between the back doors is a list of the temple’s deities and feasts written in hieroglyphs.
After the hypostyle halls, Ptolemy VI decorated the three vestibules. The first shows the writing deity, Chishta, measuring the temple’s foundation. The second vestibule was for priests only and had a room for storing sacred books and papyrus. On the walls were dedications to the god Sobek and gifts to Haroyris.