The final temple we saw on our Nile cruise was Kom Ombo. it is significant because it is unique for its dedication to two different deities: the local crocodile-headed god Sobek, and the first “god of the Kingdom”, the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder.
The temple sits high on a dune on the banks of the Nile and has been damaged over the centuries by floods and earthquakes.
This double dedication was deliberate. Not only is it architecturally duplicated, with two sets of courts, hypostyle halls and sanctuaries, the twin temple is symbolic of the local and universalist themes that the two different deities represented.
We wandered around inside the temple as our Egyptologist told us the tales of Kom Ombo.
As at the other temples there are local men loitering so that they can show you something about the temple that you may not know or can not see.
Despite the damage the quality of the hieroglyphs was excellent.
Even those way over our heads.
As mentioned before, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two Pharaonic deities and the western half of it glorifies Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility. In ancient Egypt, Sobek was worshiped for fertility and protection against the real crocodiles that infested the Nile river.
Soon it was time to leave Kom Ombo and set sail for our final destination in Aswan.
Tomorrow we leave Nour El Nil for a morning tour in Aswan before flying back up to Cairo.
2 comments
Love the picture through the temple with the Nile in the background.
What you’ve share is fascinating. I imagine there is so much more you haven’t shared because there is just so very much. That final pic – fantastic!
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