Colossi of Memnon
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The Singing Statues or the Vocal Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon are two enormous, colossal stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who ruled over ancient Egypt from 1386 to 1353 BCE. They show the monarch seated on a throne that is adorned with carvings of his mother, wife, the god “Hapy,” and other significant images. They are made of quartzite stones, which were brought 675 kilometers (420 miles) to Luxor from Cairo’s el-Gabal el-Ahmar quarry beginning in 1350 B.C. They were constructed as watchtowers for Amenhotep’s Luxor funeral complex. The earthquakes and floods in Egypt entirely destroyed this enormous complex, leaving only a few remnants.
The Location of the Memnon Colossi
The Colossi of Memnon are one of the most well-known and significant Luxor tourist sites and should not be missed while your Egypt travels. They are situated in Theban Necropolis, which is located west of the Egyptian city of Luxor. The two statues are situated on the main road heading to the west bank of the monument area, about half a kilometer east of the Antiquities Inspectorate (the ticket office).
Who is Memnon?
The Trojan War’s Memnon was a hero. In order to defend the besieged city, he was also the Ethiopian king who led his soldiers from Africa to Asia. He was ultimately killed by Achilles. The term “Memnonium,” which has been in use for more than 2000 years, is commonly used by the two statues to refer to the entire Theban Necropolis.
Origin of Colossi
The name “colossi” was used to refer to the statues because it was Greek, and it has been used to describe the entire Theban Necropolis for the past 2000 years and is still in use today. The Memnon Colossi represent the king’s rule over Egypt. All three of the statues of Amenhotep III, his mother Mutemwiya, and their wife Tiye are representations of rebirth. All of the natural disasters they have ever experienced have been overcome by them.
The Colossi of Memnon’s Description
They each stand 18 meters tall and weigh 720 tons. Sandstone blocks are cut into single pieces to create them. They portray the pharaoh wearing the regal headpiece of the Names and being protected by the divine cobra. They are two-seated king statues on an adorned throne. The king is seated with his hands resting on his knees and is gazing eastward at the Nile River. His wife Tiye and mother Mutemwiy are represented by two little figurines that are etched into the front of the statues. Although severely damaged since 27 BC, the two statues nonetheless serve as reminders of the ancient Egyptian civilization and culture.
Amenhotep III and the Glory of Egypt
Between 1570 and 1069 B.C., under the reign of the pharaoh Amenhotep III, Egypt rose to prominence as a wealthy and powerful nation. At the age of twelve, his father bequeathed him a secure empire. Tiye, known as the “Great Royal Wife,” was his wife. The magnificence of Pharaoh Amenhotep and his wife Tiye as married couples is demonstrated by the fact that this title was not even bestowed upon Amenhotep’s mother. The 250 structures, including temples, steles, statues, and buildings, that he constructed throughout his glorious reign serve as evidence of his grand vision for the country. On the west bank of the Nile, close to Thebes, is the palace at Malkata, one of his captivating mansions. This wonderful location has a large number of rooms, a festival hall, gardens, numerous libraries, kitchens, conference spaces, and an Amun temple.
The Grand Mortuary Complex
The largest structure ever constructed in Egypt was the Mortuary complex Amenhotep III constructed. Even more so than the Karnak Temple, it was inspiring. It had a large number of rooms, halls, and plateaus that resembled the image of the Egyptian paradise known as the Field of Reeds. Only a few fragments of Amenhotep’s temple still exist today, having been destroyed by Egypt’s devastating earthquakes and floods.
The Memnon Colossi represent the king’s control over Egypt. Amenhotep III, his wife Tiye, and his mother Mutemwiya are all shown in the statues as symbols of rebirth. They have survived all of the natural disasters they have encountered.
