majestic pyramids of Giza, hidden from prying eyes the tomb of Valley of the Kings are not the only monuments of a civilization that once flourished on both banks of the Nile.Along with a huge necropolis interest and ancient Egyptian temples.The names and photos of the most illustrative structures we put in this article.
But first you need to understand the concept of a temple in ancient Egypt.It was not the church in the modern sense of the word - a room serving for the assembly of believers, and to contact the soul with God.No, the church was home rather palace.There lived a certain God, like the rich man lives in his mansion.He had his servants - the priests.Every day they passed the rite of purification, God clothed statue, lit in front of her censers and incense, sacrificed according to the calendar.The temple could enter only the priests - and no one else.Sometimes God out of the palace to visit any of his relatives.He traveled in the boat (ark), which were usually ship in tow.Only then could the common people to contemplate their god.
development of sacral architecture
As is known, the history of ancient Egypt has several long periods - kingdoms.Church architecture developed gradually.It is largely dependent on religious beliefs, which also underwent changes over the centuries.Unfortunately, the temples were rebuilt according to the new concept, and we heard only the facilities related to the New Kingdom.Also well preserved memorial temples of ancient times.But they are devoted to the posthumous cult of the pharaohs and their tombs adjacent to the pyramid.Here we look at the ancient Egyptian temples of the New Kingdom.It is the abode of the eternal God.In this temple has its own concept and, consequently, its architecture."Palace" God intended space for officialdom and private, private rooms.The latter could include only selected priests who have passed a thorough cleansing (bathing, hair waxing, the adoption of soda).God dwelt in the inner room without windows.That is, it was hidden from the eyes of the people.
Palace of God in the year 3000 BC.e.
Five thousand years ago the ancient Egyptian temples (picture is a memorial shrine Chephren) were in the form of a giant parallelepiped with inclined external walls and their crowning cornice.It was a royal palace with spacious interior, is located along the main axis.It was a ceremonial hall and reception, where God listened to the requests.Further, the rear of the lobby and rooms for storage offerings were chambers "master of the house."Direct sanctuary of God in the heart.He was surrounded by four or six main chapels.Next were the sacristy and other premises for ritual services.The main rooms have been divided into two large columns, three naves.Roofs as such was not.In fact, it was a courtyard with porticoes.
Ancient temples of the Middle Kingdom
Beginning of Thutmose I and especially female pharaoh Hatshepsut (1505-1484 BC.) Layout changes sanctuaries.A characteristic feature of the churches of the Middle Kingdom became the monumental halls leading to the holy of holies.The contrast with the small closet just stunning.In this room was exquisite ark.The massive walls of ancient temples replace many vestries and chapels.But the main innovation was the extraordinary richness of the paintings.They covered columns, ceiling, walls, floor.As a typical example of religious architecture of the time can be called ancient Egyptian temple at Karnak (Amon-Ra) and Deir-el-Bahari (the sanctuary of Queen Hatshepsut).Interior painting and emphasize the function of each room.And the temple itself appears as a synthesis of the cosmos and God.Sex - is the land, the stars painted ceiling - sky, column capitals - flowers on the architrave you can see fabulous birds.
temple in 1500 BC.e.
in worship gradually began to include the lay faithful.Naturally, they were not allowed in the "holy of holies" and even in the church.But the layout of sacred buildings dating from 1500 BC, there is innovation - one or more courtyards, surrounded by a colonnade.There was allowed common people to participate in religious ceremonies.So what were the temples of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt?Where were they located?They stretch along the Nile - Abu Simbel in the upstream to Abydos (north of modern Luxor).Each prefecture (region) had its patron god (or Person of Amun-Ra).Therefore, the name of the ancient Egyptian temples were appropriate: Osiris, Hathor, Isis, Khnum, Thoth, Nehbet, Horus, Sobek.We should also mention the shrine of the Pharaohs, which is also considered gods: Ramses II, Networks I, Tuthmosis III and others.
plan Egyptian New Kingdom temple
consider him the classic example of the sanctuary of Amun Karnak.Temple was to have access to the river.To do this, from the Nile he broke through the channel.It ended near the Temple a small rectangular port, where there was a boat moored ornate.Egyptian gods had numerous relatives who attended their "home" for birthdays.From the waterfront was "expensive process".She framed the sphinxes and statues of the god, appears in the role of the sacred animal.Pylons facades were preceded by ancient Egyptian temples.Photo shows the massive structure of stone with a slightly sloping walls.It repeats the character for "horizon".At dawn, the sun appears right between the strut towers.Its walls were richly decorated.There are still holes flagpole.For the pylon located rectangular courtyard, walled.Around the perimeter columns were supporting a narrow discontinuous roof, which serves as protection from the rain did not, and the sun.After the yard, a man fell into the pillared hall.Round pillars supporting the roof were stylized papyrus thickets.At the far end of the room was a sanctuary.In a cubic pedestal in a small room with a low ceiling rested portable boat.Here and God dwelt.
Around the temple
Surrounding area inside the outer walls (temenos) is also considered a saint.There are auxiliary facilities.It could be room for guests to "stay" the gods and their arks.Warehouses for offerings, religious objects occupy more than one room.Finally, there were provided a room for priests, where they undergo the process of purification of their bodies before entering the sanctuary.The temples of the New Kingdom of Egypt has always had on its territory, a sacred lake.It served to cleanse the priesthood.According to belief, the sun god Khepera up refreshed every morning from the lake to follow across the sky.In addition, the reservoir and wells were.Ancient temples, the name and photo of which we are led, had a special room on the pier - mooring for the boat.When the ark of the god carried on their shoulders the priests from the sanctuary, they made a stop at this little chapel with two entrances.
obelisks and colossi
temples of Egypt often had additional elements are located behind a fence temenos.Sometimes, before the sanctuary put colossi.This giant statue of Pharaoh pair, who built this or that temple.Notable here is the Colossi of Memnon.The very sanctuary has been preserved - only two statues of Amenhotep III are raised to this day.If the temple was dedicated to the sun, before it enters installed obelisks - as usually in pairs.
Ptolemaic and Roman periods
How wonderful the ancient Egyptian temples: how many years they served as home of the gods, and did not respond to any changes, or even conquest.When the Roman Empire engulfed the land in terms of a religious cult, little has changed.Quite the contrary.Roman emperors began wearing cartouches with hieroglyphs, the cult of Osiris became one of the government of the empire.However, it happens and interpenetration of cultures.Religious attitudes are evolving, and humanity gradually comes to the worship of one God.
