Colossi of Memnon
The Colossi of Memnon (also known as el-Colossat or el-Salamat)
are two monumental statues representing Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt.
They are located west of the modern city of Luxor and face east looking toward the Nile River.
The statues depict the seated king on a throne ornamented with imagery of his mother, his wife, the god Hapy,
and other symbolic engravings.
The figures rise 60 ft (18 meters) high and weigh 720 tons each;
both carved from single blocks of sandstone.
They were constructed as guardians for Amenhotep III’s mortuary complex which once stood behind them.
Earthquakes, floods, and the ancient practice of using older monuments and buildings as resource material
for new structures all contributed to the disappearance of the enormous complex.
Little of it remains today except for the two colossal statues which once stood at its gates.
Colossi of Memnon
Their name comes from the Greek hero Memnon who fell at Troy.
Memnon was an Ethiopian king who joined the battle on the side of the Trojans against the Greeks
and was killed by the Greek champion Achilles.
Memnon’s courage and skill in battle, however,
elevated him to the status of a hero among the Greeks.
Greek tourists, seeing the impressive statues,
associated them with the legend of Memnon instead of Amenhotep III
and this link was also suggested by the 3rd century
BCE Egyptian historian Manetho who claimed Memnon and Amenhotep III were the same person.
THE SITE BECAME LEGENDARY FOR DIVINATION
AFTER ONE OF THE STATUES BEGAN MAKING NOISES INTERPRETED AS ORACLES.
The Greek writers referred to the entire complex regularly as the Memnonium and the site became legendary for divination
after one of the statues began making noises interpreted as oracles.
From ancient times to the present the Colossi have been a popular tourist attraction and in the present day one
can see graffiti inscribed on the base from visitors thousands of years ago.
To enjoy history and see the greatness tombs Valley of the Nobles and beauty of nature Across the journey from Goluxor trips