Madinat Habu Temple is the temple of king Ramses III. Medinet Habu; In Egyptian: Tjamet or Djamet, is an archaeological site located near the foot of the Theban Hills, on the west bank of the Nile River opposite the Egyptian city of Luxor. Although there are other facilities in the area, today that site is associated exclusively with the mortuary temple of king Ramses III. This temple is one of the top mega temples built to commemorate the victories of king Ramses III. the temple measures 320 metres length and 200 metres width. Unlike other temples its uniquely, serving both as a place of worship and a defensive structure, reflecting its dual role in ancient communities.
The temple was built in two stages: the first stage includes the temple itself and its annexes within a rectangular wall. The second stage began – most likely – in the second half of the reign of king Ramses III. During that period, the outer wall was built with its two large, fortified gates in both the east and west. Houses for priests and temple employees were built between the two walls in the north and south. king Ramses III’s engineers were able to build the outer wall to include the Eighteenth Dynasty temple inside it. They also built a dock for ships in front of the fortified entrance on the eastern side and dug a pond as well. Perhaps this applies to the text recorded by king Ramses III in the Harris Papyrus about the Medinet Habu Temple.
We can enter the temple from the entrance located on the southeast side. It is a gate surrounded on both sides by two guard rooms, leading to what is called the High Gate of King Ramses III. It is a unique building in Egypt. King Ramesses III ordered its construction in the style of Syrian castles, known as “Majdal.” It consists of two towers with balconies with a gate in the middle. It represents the entrance to that sacred area.
The scenes on the outer walls of this high gate represent the usual scenes for which most kings of the New Kingdom were famous. There are scenes depicting king Ramses III beating the Asians on the northern facade of the gate (i.e. on the right of the interior), in front of the god Ra Hor-akheti, Lord of the city of Heliopolis, representing the north. The same king also beats Asian prisoners in front of the god Amun-Ra, Lord of Thebes, representing the South, on the southern façade (on the left of the interior).
We reach a large courtyard after leaving the huge gate, and at the end we find the first large pylon (it is believed that it was preceded by another pylon made of mud, of which only weak traces remain that may indicate it). The height of this pylon reaches 24.45 meters, and its width is 68 metres. Its façade is decorated with the four gaps designated for flagpoles, which were fixed with wooden and copper braces, and protruded from the windows at the top of the pylon. There is an entrance on the northern side of the pylon that leads to a staircase that in turn leads to the top of the pylon. On the northern (right) tower we see king Ramses III in the red crown with his (ka) about to strike the heads of the prisoners in front of the god Ra Hor-akhty, who stands behind the god Anubis.
On the southern (left) tower we see king Ramses III in a white crown with his (ka) about to behead prisoners before the god Amun. This is in addition to various military and religious texts, and traditional scenes that represent the king in his various relationships with the gods and goddesses. It is worth noting on the right wall the scene representing king Ramses III kneeling before the sacred tree, followed by God Thoth and the goddess Seshat to record the king’s name on the leaves of the sacred tree. This is in front of the god Amun and the god Ptah.
Most of the outer scenes of this temple represent the war battles that king Ramses III fought during his reign. One of the most beautiful depictions that must be seen is the scene recorded on the back of the southern tower of the first pylon. It is the one in which the Egyptian artist excelled, and it is truly considered one of the masterpieces of Egyptian art in that late period in the era of the New Kingdom. It is a hunting scene. As we see Ramses III in his chariot, hunting wild bulls, and we see them struck by spears and arrows, we see the pain clearly on their faces.
You can reach the open courtyard that adorned with scenes depicting the grand Opet festival of Amun Re, where you can see the priests carry his sacred boat on their shoulders in a ceremonial procession highlighting the religious significance of these festivals.
Meanwhile the inner hall of the temple, including the Collonade court show the best well preserved and vibrant colors you could ever see on any temple along the Nile River with all the offering scenes before various deities, it shows some of the finest sunk relief providing a glimpse into how colorful these structures were in the ancient times.
the artwork exemplifies the artistic perfection achieved during the new kingdom period
