The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during Dynasty XVIII. For the past 3,400 years (since 1359 BCE) they have stood in the Theban Necropolis, located west of the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.
Memnon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend the city of Trojan , but was slain by Achilles. Memnon, whose name was the “Steadfast” or “Resolute” was said to be the son of Eos, the goddess of down. He was associated with the colossi, because of the reported city at dawn of the northern statue, which became known as the Colossus of Memnon.
The twin statues depict Amenhotep III (14 century BCE)in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastwards toward the river. Two shorter figures are carved into the front throne alongside his legs: these are his wife Tiu and mother Mutemwiya. The side panel panels depict the Nile god Hapy. We passed around the Colossi on the way to the Temple of Hatshepsut and back from the Valley of the Kings. This time we stopped for some time to look around and take some photos, shown in this short album.\
Memnon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend the city of Trojan , but was slain by Achilles. Memnon, whose name was the “Steadfast” or “Resolute” was said to be the son of Eos, the goddess of down. He was associated with the colossi, because of the reported city at dawn of the northern statue, which became known as the Colossus of Memnon.
The twin statues depict Amenhotep III (14 century BCE)in a seated position, his hands resting on his knees and his gaze facing eastwards toward the river. Two shorter figures are carved into the front throne alongside his legs: these are his wife Tiu and mother Mutemwiya. The side panel panels depict the Nile god Hapy. We passed around the Colossi on the way to the Temple of Hatshepsut and back from the Valley of the Kings. This time we stopped for some time to look around and take some photos, shown in this short album.\
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