PLAN OF THE TEMPLE OF AMEN-RĀ AND SOME OF ITS SURROUNDINGS, INCLUDING THE SACRED LAKE.
| II. | Original Sanctuary. | 1 | Temple M. of Lepsius. |
| III. | Obelisks. | 2 | Temple of Seti II. |
| IV. | Hall of Columns. | 3 | Side Entrance. |
| V. | Interior Pylon. | 4 | South Wall. |
| VI. | Outer Court. | 5 & 6 | Pylons of South Courts. |
| VII. | External Western Pylon. | 7 to 10 | Inner Courts nearthe Sanctuary. |
| VIII. | Sphinxes. | ||
| |||
- a & b N. Wall.
- c & d Columns in Outer Court, N. Side.
- e & f Columns in Outer Court, S. Side.
- g Taharqa's Columns.
Some Egyptian temples took many tens of years to build; the obelisks, all in single blocks, were brought for hundreds of miles down the Nile. The building of a solar temple like that of Amen-Rā meant to the Egyptians a very serious undertaking indeed.
Some of the structural details are of a very curious nature, while the general arrangement of the temple itself is no less extraordinary. First, with regard to the temple axis. It seems to be a general rule that from the entrance-pylon the temple stretches through various halls of different sizes and details, until at last, at the extreme end, what is called the Sanctuary, Naos, Adytum, or Holy of Holies, is reached. The end of the temple at which the pylons are situated is open, the other is closed. These lofty pylons, and even the walls, are sometimes covered with the most wonderful drawings and hieroglyphic figures and records. Stretching in front of the pylons, extending sometimes very far in front, are rows of sphinxes. This principle is carried to such an extent that in some cases separate isolated gates have been built right in front and exactly in the alignment of the temple.
From one end of the temple to the other we find the axis marked out by narrow apertures in the various pylons, and many walls with doors crossing the axis.
VIEW TO THE SOUTH-WEST FROM THE SACRED LAKE OF AMEN-RĀ.
