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Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Kom Ombo Temple is located in Aswan. It was one of the impressive constructions of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for three centuries, from 305 to 30 BC. After that, it fell at the hands of the Romans. Despite their extended rule of Egypt, they did not integrate with the Egyptian people but isolated themselves in Alexandria, which they took as their capital.
The rule of the Ptolemies of Egypt began after one of the followers of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy I Soter, declared that he was the pharaoh of Egypt. It was a solid Hellenistic state that extended from southern Syria in the east, Cyrene to the west, and from the south, it borders Nubia.
The Ptolemies ruled Egypt until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC, and it was the wealthiest and most powerful kingdom for more than 300 years.
Table of Contents
A Historical Overview
Kom Ombo, or “the hill of gold” in ancient Egypt, was strategically located on a peninsula overlooking a river bend. This positioning allowed it to serve as a religious site and a vital trading post, facilitating commerce between Egypt and Nubia. The temple was built during the Ptolemaic Period (332-30 BCE) when Egypt was ruled by Greek-speaking monarchs, descendants of Alexander the Great’s general Ptolemy I. These rulers, eager to solidify their authority over the Egyptian populace, embraced many aspects of Egyptian religion. They commissioned impressive temples to demonstrate their devotion to the ancient gods and align themselves with local traditions.
The Kom Ombo Temple was constructed under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BCE). Subsequent rulers of the Ptolemaic dynasty completed it, with additional contributions from the Roman emperors who later ruled Egypt. Despite its construction during the Greco-Roman period, the temple’s design remains quintessentially Egyptian, reflecting the deep reverence these foreign rulers had for the traditions of their new homeland.
Kom Ombo City
Kom Ombo is a famous commercial centre in Egypt with many factories located 40 North of Aswan. The city has been given different names since the old days when it was called The City of Gold due to its close location to the gold mines. It was also named Anbu in Coptic, and the Greek name Ambos means the hills in the region.
The Reason for Building Kom Ombo Temple
The Ptolemies built the Temple of Kom Ombo to worship two gods, Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. It was built from 205 to 180 BC, during the reign of King Ptolemy V.
The crocodile symbolises the god Sobek, who represents the world and the underworld. As for Horus, he symbolised the sun. The worship of the two gods continued from the New Kingdom until the Greco-Roman era.
Kom Ombo Temple Design
Kom Ombo temple was built mainly of limestone in a rectangle, with a plan and design similar to many temples built in the Roman era, such as the temple Philae.
The design includes a front yard and a pillared hall, followed by three inner aisles, where you will find seven rooms and additional smaller rooms used for many rituals.
Kom Ombo Temple from the Inside
Kom Ombo Temple was divided into two parts, the left dedicated to the god Horus and the other to Sobek. The latter includes a small water basin once used to breed crocodiles. A large wall surrounds the temple and has two entrances, one to the Sobek section and another to the Horus section.
Inside the temple are drawings of the Nile goddess carrying papyrus and a lotus flower to indicate Egypt’s unity and engravings of servants carrying offerings to the gods. There are also drawings of Emperor Augustus and a long strip of hieroglyphs.
The Outer Gate of the Temple
The temple’s main gate was built of stone during the reign of King Ptolemy XII. On the gates is a drawing of the King offering sacrifices to the god Sobek, represented by a crocodile’s head holding a wand.
The Edifice
After entering the main gate, specifically on the eastern and western sides, you will see ruins of the sections built in Emperor Dommishan’s era. On the walls are drawings of the king praying to the gods Horus and Sobek.
The Open Courtyard
The courtyard includes 16 columns in three directions: five in the western and eastern directions and six in the southern area.
From ancient times until today, many columns have been destroyed, and the only parts left are most of the lower sections. When you move to the courtyard’s centre, you will find where sacrifices were given to the deity.
Many drawings show the sacrifices given to Sobek and Horus by Emperor Tiberius and, behind him, his wife, Hathor. Another drawing shows Emperor Tiberius wearing the red and white crowns of the god Horus as he holds a wand and the sign of life, the Ankh.
Anterior Column Hall
In the Anterior Column Hall, you will find about ten columns built in the era of King Ptolemy XII. Also, stone curtains are seen with carvings of the king in a kneeling position in front of the gods Thoth and Sobek.
On the walls are inscriptions of King Ptolemy VIII, who wore the crown of Lower Egypt and offered sacrifices to the gods.
The Inner Pillared Hall
The Inner Pillared Hall of Kom Ombo Temple contains ten columns in two rows, each shaped like a papyrus flower. It was built during the reign of King Ptolemy VIII.
At the top of the eastern door, you will see drawings of King Ptolemy VI with Queen Cleopatra II serving wine to the Sobek Trinity and the Horus Trinity.
The First Inner Hall
On the outer gate of the first inner hall, you will see pharaonic murals of King Ptolemy VI offering wine to Sobek and his wife, Hathor.
The Second Inner Hall
The second inner hall contains two rectangular chambers; when you enter, you will see many exquisite murals of King Ptolemy VI offering utensils to the god Horus and Sobek.
There are murals on the wall of the inner hall of King Ptolemy VI, one of which depicts him worshipping snakes and another of him wearing a crown and holding a sceptre and the sign of the Ankh with his wife, Queen Cleopatra II.
The Third Inner Hall
Its design is the same as the second inner hall, with many inscriptions across King Ptolemy VI’s hall and Queen Cleopatra II’s drawings offering the sign of justice, Maat, to the gods Horus, Sobek and Hathor.
The Mammisi
The Mammisi, or the birthplace, was built by King Ptolemy VIII. It contains four columns in one hall and two others for performing birth rituals.
Hathor’s Cabin
Hathor’s cabin is a one-floor room with a rectangular mud-brick wall. It contains a glass box with three crocodile mummies. The cabin’s façade has drawings of the god Hathor offering wine to Tascent Nefert.
Kom Ombo and the Roman Period
Though Kom Ombo was primarily constructed during the Ptolemaic Period, it remained a significant religious site during the Roman era. Like the Ptolemies before them, the Roman emperors sought to align themselves with Egyptian religious traditions to legitimise their rule. As a result, they added to and maintained many of Egypt’s temples, including Kom Ombo.
Several Roman emperors, including Augustus, Tiberius, and Caracalla, contributed to the temple’s construction and decoration. Inscriptions bearing their names can still be found on the temple walls, a reminder of the continuity of worship at the site even after the fall of the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
The Decline and Rediscovery
Like many ancient temples, Kom Ombo fell into disrepair following the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity in Egypt. The temple was abandoned, and natural forces such as earthquakes and flooding from the Nile damaged it over time. In the 19th century, however, European explorers and archaeologists rediscovered the temple, sparking renewed interest in its history and significance.
Excavations at the site began in earnest in the early 20th century, and today, Kom Ombo is one of the most visited temples in Egypt. It attracts tourists worldwide who marvel at its unique design and rich history.
Entry Ticket Prices
The entrance tickets aren’t expensive but affordable for everyone, whether they are Egyptians or foreigners. Ticket prices are divided into the following:
- Egyptians: 40 Egyptian pounds
- Egyptian Students: 20 Egyptian Pounds
- Foreigners: 288 Egyptian Pounds
- Foreigner Students: 144 Egyptian Pounds
Hotels Near Kom Ombo Temple
With all the attractions in Aswan to visit, including Kom Ombo Temple, you will need a hotel to stay in and rest so you can continue your journey in the beautiful city of Aswan. Some of the hotels are located near Kom Ombo Temple.
- Tulip Aswan Hotel
- Pyramisa Isis Corniche Aswan
- Mövenpick Resort Aswan
- Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan
At the end of the article, we highlighted one of the essential attractions in Egypt and Aswan in particular. We hope to convey much information about this grand tower and its importance during the eras of the Pharaohs and Ptolemies.
Conclusion: A Testament to Ancient Egypt’s Legacy
Kom Ombo Temple is a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt, a civilisation that continues to captivate and inspire. Its dual dedication to Sobek and Horus the Elder, architectural beauty, and rich historical and cultural significance make it one of the jewels of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. For visitors, Kom Ombo offers a unique opportunity to explore a temple that serves as a religious centre and a place of healing, trade, and cultural exchange.
In its walls, columns, and reliefs, Kom Ombo preserves the stories of the gods, pharaohs, and people who once worshipped there, offering us a glimpse into a world long past but never forgotten. As you walk through its halls and sanctuaries, you are not just visiting a temple—you are stepping back in time to witness the grandeur of one of history’s most remarkable civilisations.
