Dendera Temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the goddess of motherhood in ancient Egyptian mythology. It is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples.
Dendera Temple is located on the western bank of the Nile River in Qena city. This temple was built by King Ptolemy VIII and Queen Cleopatra II. The subsequent Ptolemaic kings and Roman emperors continued the construction of the temple to honor the goddess Hathor, who was likened to the goddess Aphrodite in Greek mythology.
The temple begins with a gate built by the Roman Emperor Domitian. This gate consists of 6 columns. Above, this gate, there is a cornice decorated with a winged sun disk. This gate is decorated with scenes of Roman emperors making offerings to the ancient Egyptian gods.
The gate leads to a large hypostyle decorated with columns taking the form of the goddess Hathor. The walls of this hall are decorated with making offering scenes to several gods. The roof of this hall is decorated with wonderful astronomical scenes.
The eastern side of the roof depicts the goddess Nut, the goddess of the sky, bending towards the earth.
Then there is a view of the sun boat.
As for the western part, it represents the astronomical constellations (zodiq). Unfortunately, the original part was cut and transferred to the Louvre Museum while the existing one is a replica.
Then a 2nd hypostyle. On either side, there are small rooms that were used to store the purposes of the temple.
Then the Holy of Holies. There is a small corridor on the right leading to a small room containing the basement.
We may able to reach the roof of the temple by stairs. In the eastern corner of the roof, there is the shrine of the god Osiris and its walls are decorated with scenes of Osiris rising from the dead.
On the southern wall of the temple, there is an inscription of Cleopatra VII and her son making offerings to Hathor. On the same wall, there are lion’s heads from the stone used to drain water from the roof of the temple.
To the west of the temple, there is a sacred lake. Also, the temple has 2 Mamisi (birth room).
you can visit Dendera Temple with Explore the Land of Pharaohs
