Image Details

Richard Nowitz

Just across the Nile from the Temple of Karnak sits the Temple of Medinet Habu (shown here, compare with photo of the Temple of Karnak), in Thebes. This complex began as a small temple built by pharaohs Hatshepsut and Thutmose III in the mid-15th century B.C.E.; it was later completely rebuilt as a mortuary temple by Ramesses III in the early 12th century B.C.E. Like all other Egyptian temples, the interior of this one is covered with a liturgical program illustrating cosmic themes.