Overview:

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII (circa 1390-1352 B.C.). The twin statues depict Amenhotep III in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastward towards the Nile. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandstone which are estimated to weigh over 700 tons each. Both statues measure close to 19 metres (62 feet) in height. Archaeologists believe that the Colossus originally flanked the entrance to Amenhotep’s mortuary temple (which was destroyed and lost in antiquity). Today, the Colossi of Memnon are situated on the west bank of the Nile, in the Theban Necropolis, just opposite the city of Luxor. The statues are now known as ‘Memnon’, named after the Greek mythical king who was said to have been killed by Achilles during the Trojan War. The Colossi of Memnon have a significant place in both Egyptian and Greek history. The statues are believed to be the oldest surviving examples of Ancient Egyptian monolithic sculpture, although most of the original surface details (such as the sculpted clothing) has weathered away over time. Today, the Colossi are a popular tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to the Theban Necropolis every year. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

• Located on the west bank of the Nile River, 25km south of Luxor • Built during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III as guardians of the entrance to his mortuary temple • The immense statues are approximately 18m (60 ft) high and depict Amenhotep III in a seated position • The Colossi of Memnon are believed to be the first two statues to be ritually 'awakened' in antiquity • The statues are made of quartzite sandstone, and are believed to be the earliest form of acoustically resonant stone on the planet • Parts of the statues are damaged due to natural elements such as sandstorms, lightning, and the Nile floods, and also by seismic activity • In the 19th century, a restoration process involved the filling of the missing parts with cement • Each day at dawn, the statues produce a trumpet-like sound that is sometimes heard in Luxor today You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The two large statues of the Colossi of Memnon, commonly known simply as “The Colossi,” are two massive stone sculptures of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned during the 18th Dynasty (1390-1352 BC). They were carved out of quartzite sandstone. They originally stood guard outside of Amenhotep’s mortuary temple in western Thebes, 14 miles from modern-day Luxor. The project was commissioned by Amenhotep’s son, Akhenaten, to honor his father’s memory and greatness. The statues were created from two separate quarries, over 700 miles apart. They were eventually brought together to stand overlooking the temple. This was all the way back in the 1350s BC. Upon completion of the temple, the Colossi of Memnon, according to one source, “stood as sentinels to protect the entrance to the pharaoh's realm.” The northern Colossus of Memnon suffered damage from erosion and earthquakes. Around 27 BC, according to the Roman historian Strabo, a violent earthquake split the northern statue in two. Its upper portion collapsed and fell apart. The remaining remnant is still visible today. Despite the damage done to the northern statue, both statues remained standing long after the fall of the Egyptian Empire in the first century BC. It wasn’t until 1883 that the statues fell apart completely. This happened when the Egyptian government moved them to nearby Luxor for preservation. The relocation process weakened the foundations of the statues, and the northern statue completely collapsed. The remaining southern statue still stands today, providing a glimpse into a distant past in Egypt. Unfortunately, the northern statue is only a fragment of the original monument. Nevertheless, the Colossi of Memnon remain significant remnants of the ancient glory of the Egyptian Empire. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The two Colossi of Memnon are the two remaining parts of a once much larger mortuary temple complex. The complex was built by Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt between 1391 BC and 1353 BC, during the 18th dynasty of Egypt. 2. The Colossi of Memnon were once connected by a stone causeway and dedicated to Amenhotep III himself, in the form of the god Horus. 3. The Colossi of Memnon stood at the entrance of the mortuary temple until the first century AD, when they were toppled by an earthquake. 4. The Colossi of Memnon are shrouded in mystery, and it is believed that they possibly depict Amenhotep himself, or his ancestor Amenemhat III. 5. The larger of the two statues stands at 18 metres tall, while the smaller one stands at 15 metres. 6. The statues were made from quartzite and you can still see traces of the original coloured pigment, although most of it has since worn away. 7. In the 19th century, Lord Byron wrote a famous poem about the Colossi of Memnon, describing them as being 'bound in man's forgetting, yet imperishable'. 8. In 1927, the Colossi of Memnon were designated as an Ancient Monument by the Egyptian government. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era