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  Ancient Egypt / Religion /
Esna
Ancient Egyptian: Iunyt; Ta-senet
Greek: Latopolis
In Ancient Egyptian Religion, temple area with the hypostyle hall of a Temple of Khnum as the only excavated part.
The temple dates back to Ptolamaic era, begun by Ptolemy 8 Euergetes 2 in the middle of the 2nd century BCE.
The existing part is about 33 x 19 metres, suggesting an original temple of considerable size. The decorations of the temple are of high quality and rich in colours. The exterior decorations are not as impressive.
It lies some 50 km south of Thebes (modern Luxor). Around it was originally the sacred necropolis of the fish, Nile perch, which always have been in abundance here.
The Temple of Khnum was also dedicated to the goddess Neith and their son, Heka. The temple was originally linked to the Nile by a ceremonial causeway. There still exist remains of the ancient quay.
Esna's temple is noted for being 9 metres beneath the modern streets. This comes from the surrounding quarters rising on top of debris of older houses through the centuries.
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Ancient Egypt
