From the 12th Ptolemaic dynasty, the temple of Karnak is the largest and the most complicated architecture in Egypt. The centre of the cult of Amon-Ra, the Sun God, has two axes that define the composition of the world of Karnak. The axis east to west correlates to the orbit of the sun, signifying the sun in the heavens, while the axis north to south correlates to the Nile, signifying absolute power of the gods and pharaoh, who is the gods’ representative on earth. A short avenue of cryocephlous sphinxes leads to the first and largest pylon, at 113m wide and 15m thick, constituting the monumental entrance to the temple. The sphinxes bear the heads of rams, which are believed sacred to Amon, represent the god that protected the Pharaoh.

Written by  George Monkhouse.

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