The Temple of Horus at Edfu

The Temple of Edfu is an Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt [1]. The temple was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC [1]. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt [1]. The present temple, which was begun "on 23 August 237 BC, initially consisted of a pillared hall, two transverse halls, and a barque sanctuary surrounded by chapels." The building was started during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes and completed in 57 BC under Ptolemy XII Auletes [1]. It was built on the site of an earlier, smaller temple also dedicated to Horus, although the previous structure was oriented east–west rather than north–south as in the present site [1]. A naos of Nectanebo II, a relic from an earlier building, is preserved in the inner sanctuary, which stands alone while the temple's barque sanctuary is surrounded by nine chapels [1]. The temple of Edfu is the largest temple dedicated to Horus and Hathor of Dendera [1]. It was the center of several festivals sacred to Horus [1].