The Gate of Amun. The Second Pylon of Karnak I. Studies and Epigraphic Survey (Ka2Pyl No. 1-33). BiGen 63.
IFAO| N° d'inventaire | 23499 |
| Format | 24 x 32 |
| Détails | Very numerous surveys and plates, publisher's hardcover. |
| Publication | Cairo, 2021 |
| Etat | Nine |
| ISBN | 9782724707793 |
The gate of the second pylon of the Temple of Amun is one of the most monumental achievements of the Ptolemies at Karnak. Built at the beginning of the Ptolemaic period, it was decorated under three successive kings. Ptolemy IV Philopator only had time to apply his name to the lower gate before the Theban Revolt broke out. After restoring order, Ptolemy VI Philometor first decorated the facade of the gate with scenes of offerings to the god Amun. A dozen years later, the inner passage of the gate was engraved. Finally, Ptolemy VIII Euergetes had the cosmogonic texts engraved on the base of the facade. The texts on the gate describe the theology of the god Amun in its various aspects. Since the god's creation of the world, his city and temple have been the model on which other cities are built. Thebes is the seat of the creator from where he rules the world. The scenes depict the relationship between Amun and his consort Mut and his son Khonsu, but also with other deities, such as Montu, Maat, Isis, and Amunet. The decoration also defines the relationship of the god Amun with the Ogdoad and the gods of Djémé. The texts and images, which we publish here, bear witness to the vitality of Theban theology in the Ptolemaic period, and to the practices of myth in ancient Egyptian civilization.
The gate of the second pylon of the Temple of Amun is one of the most monumental achievements of the Ptolemies at Karnak. Built at the beginning of the Ptolemaic period, it was decorated under three successive kings. Ptolemy IV Philopator only had time to apply his name to the lower gate before the Theban Revolt broke out. After restoring order, Ptolemy VI Philometor first decorated the facade of the gate with scenes of offerings to the god Amun. A dozen years later, the inner passage of the gate was engraved. Finally, Ptolemy VIII Euergetes had the cosmogonic texts engraved on the base of the facade. The texts on the gate describe the theology of the god Amun in its various aspects. Since the god's creation of the world, his city and temple have been the model on which other cities are built. Thebes is the seat of the creator from where he rules the world. The scenes depict the relationship between Amun and his consort Mut and his son Khonsu, but also with other deities, such as Montu, Maat, Isis, and Amunet. The decoration also defines the relationship of the god Amun with the Ogdoad and the gods of Djémé. The texts and images, which we publish here, bear witness to the vitality of Theban theology in the Ptolemaic period, and to the practices of myth in ancient Egyptian civilization.