Egypt’s Best-Preserved Temple
Nile Valley, Egypt
Two massive pylons flanked by granite falcons greet visitors entering this Ptolemaic-era temple, the best preserved in Egypt. The temple demonstrates how, with some success, the Greek Ptolemies adopted the Pharaonic religion and customs and continued the tradition of construction on a massive scale.
Background
The Ptolemies were a dynasty of Macedonian Greeks who ruled Egypt for some 350 years after Alexander the Great conquered the country in 323BCE. Slowly adopting Egyptian dress and customs they reigned successfully, integrating fully into Egyptian society and building numerous temples such as the enormous, well-preserved Temple of Horus here at Edfu.