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Encyclopedia > Pylon (architecture)

Pylon is the Greek term for a monumental gateway of an Egyptian temple. It consists of two tapering towers, each surmounted by a cornice, joined by a less elevated section which enclosed the entrance between them.[1] The entrance was generally about half the height of the towers. Contemporary paintings of pylons show them with long poles flying banners.


In ancient Egyptian theology, the Pylon mirrored the hieroglyph for 'horizon', which was a depiction of two hills "between which the sun rose and set."[2] Consequently, it played a critical role in the symbolic architecture of a cult building which was associated with the place of recreation and rebirth. Pylons were often decorated with scenes emphasizing a king's authority since it was the public face of a cult building.[3] On the first Pylon of the temple of Isis at Philae, the pharaoh is shown slaying his enemies while Isis, Horus and Hathor look on. Other examples of Pylons can be seen in Luxor and Edfu. Philae (or Pilak or Paaleq [Egyptian: remote place or the end or the angle island]; [Arabic: Anas el Wagud]) is an island in the Nile River and the previous site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in southern Egypt. ... Isis is a goddess in Egyptian mythology. ... This page is about the Egyptian deity. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Luxor Temple, from the east bank of the Nile Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the River Nile in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes). ... The front of the Edfu Temple. ...


Rituals to the sun god Amun were often carried out on the top of temple pylons. In addition to standard vertical grooves on the exterior face of a pylon wall which was designed to hold flag poles, some pylons also contained internal stairways and rooms.[4] The oldest intact pylons belong to mortuary temples from the 13th and 12th century BC Ramessside period.[5] A pair of obelisks usually stood in front of a pylon. Amun (also spelled Amon, Amoun, Amen, and rarely Imen, Greek Αμμον Ammon, and Άμμον Hammon, Egyptian Yamanu) was the name of a deity, in Egyptian mythology, who gradually rose to become one of the most important deities, before fading into obscurity. ... For the obelisk punctuation mark, see dagger (typography). ...


See also

The Luxor obelisk in the Place de la Concorde in Paris For other uses, see Obelisk (disambiguation). ...

References and links

  1. ^ Toby Wilkinson, The Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Ancient Egypt, Thames 7 Hudson, 2005. p.195
  2. ^ Wilkinson, op. cit., p.195
  3. ^ Wilkinson, op. cit., p.195
  4. ^ Wilkinson, op. cit., p.195
  5. ^ Wilkinson, op. cit., p.195
  • Second Pylon Karnak

Pictures

Temple of Luxor Download high resolution version (1564x1073, 239 KB)Pylon of the Temple of Luxor Egypt (Harm Frielink). ...

Temple of Isis first Pylon, Philae Temple of Isis at Philae (Egypt) File links The following pages link to this file: Pylon ...

Temple of Isis second Pylon, Philae Download high resolution version (1564x1073, 272 KB)Philae Pylon 2 (Harm Frielink) File links The following pages link to this file: Pylon ...

Temple of Edfu Download high resolution version (1564x1073, 249 KB)Pylon of the Temple of Edfoe Egypt (Harm Frielink). ...


  Results from FactBites:
 
Ancient Egyptian architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1120 words)
Even today, its architectural monuments, which include Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, are among the largest and most famous buildings in the world.
The pylon was decorated with scenes of Ramesses's military triumphs (particularly the Battle of Qadesh); later pharaohs, particularly those of the Nubian and Ethiopian dynasties, also recorded their victories there.
This area, and the pylon, were built at an oblique angle to the rest of the temple, presumably to accommodate the three pre-existing barque shrines located in the northwest corner.
 Eternal Egypt - The Facade of the Pylon at Luxor Temple  (167 words)
The Facade of the Pylon at Luxor Temple
The pylon, or temple gateway, and the first big court at Luxor Temple were built during the reign of King Ramesses the Second as northern additions to the earlier temple of King Amenhotep the Third.
The pylon is 65 meters or 213 feet wide and has a staircase the same thickness as the eastern tower.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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