Temple of Amenhotep IV

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The Temple of Amenhotep IV at Karnak in Luxor, Egypt, was constructed during the first four years of the reign of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten, when he still referred to himself as Amenhotep IV.

It was constructed outside the boundaries of the Precinct of Amon-Re, to the east. The main temple was named Gm–p3–itn (Gempaaten), which means "The Sun Disc is Found in the Estate of the God Aten". The others were named Hwt–bnbn (Hwt benben / "The Mansion of the Benben Stone"), Rwd–mnw–n–itn–r–nhh (Rud-menu / "Sturdy are the Monuments of the Sun Disc Forever"), and Tni–mnw–n–itn–r–nhh (Teni–menu / "Exalted are the Monuments of the Sun Disc Forever").

Very little of these buildings remains, they were built quickly, using Talatat blocks, and could therefore easily be demolished and reused as core for later structures.

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[edit] Gempaaten

Reconstructed Talatats from the Gempaaten
Reconstructed Talatats from the Gempaaten

The Gempaaten appears to have no roof and its offering tables were exposed to direct sunlight. In this building (or associated with it) were red granite and sandstone statues of Akhenaten, red granite offering tables and other statues, including a sphinx inscribed with the name of the Aten. It was of a considerable size (130m x 216m), but it was so completely destroyed that its foundations have been nearly obilterated.[1] It stood within a mud-brick enclosure, and was orientated to the east, with possibly an enterance to west, leading to an open court surrounded by square pillars and statues of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.[2]

[edit] Hwt benben

Erected in east Karnak, the Hwt benben or Mansion of the Benben was devoted to a solar cult, and was closely associated with the Gempaaten.[3]

[edit] Rud–menu

[edit] Teni–menu

[edit] References & notes

[edit] References

  1. ^ Blyth, 2006, p.121
  2. ^ Blyth, 2006, pp.121-122
  3. ^ Blyth, 2006, p.123

[edit] Further reading

  • Blyth, Elizabeth (2006). Karnak: Evolution of a Temple. Oxford: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-40487-8. 
  • Donald Redford, Akhenaten : The Heretic King, Princeton, 1984
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