Colossi of Memnon

Welcome to one of the most iconic and enduring sights in all of Egypt: the Colossi of Memnon. These two massive seated figures represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III, the ninth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, who ruled during a…

To understand the scale of these statues, we must understand the man they represent. Amenhotep III presided over an empire that was at its peak of wealth and influence. …

For many centuries, the Colossi were famous for a strange phenomenon that occurred at the northern (right-hand) statue. Following an earthquake in 27 BC, the upper part of this statue collapsed. …

As you look past the Colossi toward the fields behind them, you are looking at the site of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III. In its day, it was the largest religious complex in Egypt, even larger than the contemporary Temple…

One of the most impressive feats associated with the Colossi is their transport. The quartzite sandstone used for these statues did not come from a local quarry. …

As we conclude our time with the Colossi of Memnon, take a moment to look at them one last time against the backdrop of the Theban mountains. These figures have seen empires rise and fall, from the New Kingdom pharaohs to the…