DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4640#0063
PORTICO OF THE TEMPLE OF DENDERA.
These magnificent ruins are situated on the western plain of the valley of the Nile, and about two
miles from the river; they lie not far from the base of the Libyan chain of mountains, which
here assume forms of a highly picturesque character.
The Portico of the Temple is lofty enough to be seen from the river. The state of its
preservation is remarkable, for the parts uninjured by violence are as sharp in the sculpture and
as vivid in the painting as if they were recently executed; but force has been used to obliterate the
features of the goddess, to whose worship the Temple was dedicated. As it was erected long after
the destructive invasion of Cambyses, or the civil wars of the Egyptians themselves, these injuries
were done, most probably, by the Iconoclasts, upon the introduction of Christianity into the valley of
the Nile; for the features of Hat Hor, Athor, or Isis, to whom it is dedicated, which form the
capitals of the columns in the fa9ade, have been destroyed, though within the portico they have
been less injured. The exuberance of hieroglyphic decoration has given a character of exceeding
richness to the whole Temple : every part of the entablature, and every column and its abacus, are
covered; but, in execution, the sculpture and carving are far inferior to the earlier works of the
same class in Egypt; though the architecture itself is still grand and imposing, the parts thereof
are heavy and almost grotesque, still there is a grandeur in its vastness and a beauty in its
characteristic symmetry. The entablature is enriched with representations of processions and sacrifices,
in honour of Athor; and, overspreading the entrance in the cove of the cornice, the winged globe
is extended above the head of the goddess, of whom it is also the emblem; whilst, on either side,
the wings of similar emblems droop protectingly over other heads of Athor, which are supported
by emblems of Truth. The winged globe is carved and painted in the soffit of the entrance and
on the ceiling of the portico.
Dendera is the Tentyra of the Romans; the Tentathor, or abode of Athor, of the Egyptians;
the Isis of the Greeks. The gigantic capitals of the columns are quadrifrontal representations of
the head of Athor, the Egyptian Aphrodite, or Venus. The Temple was commenced by the
celebrated Cleopatra and Csesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, and appropriately dedicated by her
to Athor. The building was continued by Augustus; and the Emperors, who succeeded him till
the time of the Antonines, added to, repaired, or adorned, this Temple. The portico was the
work of Tiberius, as a Greek inscription records on the projecting summit of the cornice, which
also mentions that Aulus Avillus Flaccus was military governor, or prefect, and Aulus Fulminus
Crispus was commander of the forces.
Though it is the most recent of the Egyptian temples, for it was begun at the commencement
of the Christian era, still, from its magnitude and beauty, it is scarcely less imposing, and not less
beautiful, than other celebrated remains of an earlier and more glorious period of Egyptian history.
The portico is supported by twenty-four columns, and is open at the front above the screens
or walls of intercolumniation. Much of it is still buried, perhaps not more than half the height
of the columns is seen. The soil has not been cleared to half the depth of the lintels between
the central columns, and the accumulations of sand on either side shew what has been done
by the French to display this, one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt.
These magnificent ruins are situated on the western plain of the valley of the Nile, and about two
miles from the river; they lie not far from the base of the Libyan chain of mountains, which
here assume forms of a highly picturesque character.
The Portico of the Temple is lofty enough to be seen from the river. The state of its
preservation is remarkable, for the parts uninjured by violence are as sharp in the sculpture and
as vivid in the painting as if they were recently executed; but force has been used to obliterate the
features of the goddess, to whose worship the Temple was dedicated. As it was erected long after
the destructive invasion of Cambyses, or the civil wars of the Egyptians themselves, these injuries
were done, most probably, by the Iconoclasts, upon the introduction of Christianity into the valley of
the Nile; for the features of Hat Hor, Athor, or Isis, to whom it is dedicated, which form the
capitals of the columns in the fa9ade, have been destroyed, though within the portico they have
been less injured. The exuberance of hieroglyphic decoration has given a character of exceeding
richness to the whole Temple : every part of the entablature, and every column and its abacus, are
covered; but, in execution, the sculpture and carving are far inferior to the earlier works of the
same class in Egypt; though the architecture itself is still grand and imposing, the parts thereof
are heavy and almost grotesque, still there is a grandeur in its vastness and a beauty in its
characteristic symmetry. The entablature is enriched with representations of processions and sacrifices,
in honour of Athor; and, overspreading the entrance in the cove of the cornice, the winged globe
is extended above the head of the goddess, of whom it is also the emblem; whilst, on either side,
the wings of similar emblems droop protectingly over other heads of Athor, which are supported
by emblems of Truth. The winged globe is carved and painted in the soffit of the entrance and
on the ceiling of the portico.
Dendera is the Tentyra of the Romans; the Tentathor, or abode of Athor, of the Egyptians;
the Isis of the Greeks. The gigantic capitals of the columns are quadrifrontal representations of
the head of Athor, the Egyptian Aphrodite, or Venus. The Temple was commenced by the
celebrated Cleopatra and Csesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, and appropriately dedicated by her
to Athor. The building was continued by Augustus; and the Emperors, who succeeded him till
the time of the Antonines, added to, repaired, or adorned, this Temple. The portico was the
work of Tiberius, as a Greek inscription records on the projecting summit of the cornice, which
also mentions that Aulus Avillus Flaccus was military governor, or prefect, and Aulus Fulminus
Crispus was commander of the forces.
Though it is the most recent of the Egyptian temples, for it was begun at the commencement
of the Christian era, still, from its magnitude and beauty, it is scarcely less imposing, and not less
beautiful, than other celebrated remains of an earlier and more glorious period of Egyptian history.
The portico is supported by twenty-four columns, and is open at the front above the screens
or walls of intercolumniation. Much of it is still buried, perhaps not more than half the height
of the columns is seen. The soil has not been cleared to half the depth of the lintels between
the central columns, and the accumulations of sand on either side shew what has been done
by the French to display this, one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt.