Colossi Of Memnon

In the vast plain that stretches out around western Thebes, between the Nile and the Valley of the Kings, are the remains of the monumental road which led to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. The Colossi of Memnon are all that remain of what was once the largest mortuary temple on the west bank of Luxor. The temple, sadly, has disappeared, likely due to a major flood. It was later damaged further by Ramses II and his son, Merenptah. They used the fallen blocks to build their own temples – commonly known by the names of Colossi of Memnon.

Pharaoh Amenhotep III

Amenhotep III, known as Amenhotep the Magnificent or Amenophis III, was the 9th king of the 18th Dynasty.

Reign: 1391 – 1353 BCE, or 1388 – 1351 BCE.

Predecessor: Tuthmosis IV.

Successor: Amenhotep IV/Akhenaton.

Birth Name: Amenhotep (Amun is content).

Coronation Name: Neb-Maat-Re (the Lord of truth is Re).

Consort: Tiye, Sitamun, Iset, and others.

Children: Akhenaton, Beketaten, and others.

Father: Tuthmosis IV.

Mother: Mutemuiya.

Burial: WV 22 (Western Valley of the Kings).

Monuments: Luxor Temple, Malkata, Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep (Colossi of Memnon), and a copy of Luxor Temple in Sudan.

The Colossi of Memnon

These two gigantic statues are 18 meters high and weigh about 750 tons each. They were cut in monolithic blocks of quartzite sandstone was which quarried at Gabal Al-Hamar near Cairo. Both represent the pharaoh seated on a throne, with his hands resting on his knees. The southern colossus is considerably damaged but is in slightly better shape than the other. A legend says that in 27 BC, a terrible earthquake badly damaged almost all of Thebes’ monuments. It also opened a huge crack in the colossus, from the upper half to the ground, before it toppled over.

It was noted that every morning at sunrise, the statue made a long, unclear sound. Some travelers said it seemed like a sad, harmonious song. Great historians like Strabo, Pausanias, Tacitus, Lucian, and Philostratus confirmed the fact. Soon, Greek poets turned it into a great legend.

Singing Colossi of Memnon

The “singing stone,” they said, was Memnon. He was the mythical son of Aurora and Tithonus. He was the king of Egypt and Ethiopia. Sent by his father to help Troy, which the Greek army besieged, Memnon won great glory. He killed Antilochus, the son of Nestor, in battle. But he later fell to the vengeful hand of Achilles. Aurora appealed in tears to Jove to have her son resuscitated at least once a day.

Thus, every morning, as Aurora caresses her son with her rays, he answers his inconsolable mother with protected lamentations. Despite the legend, the phenomenon can be scientifically explained. The sounds came from vibrations on the broken surfaces. They happened when the cold night quickly gave way to the sun’s first warmth. Over the centuries, the colossus’s legs have gained engraved epigrams and other, sometimes curious, inscriptions.

How to get to Colossi of Memnon from Luxor?

The Colossi of Memnon, located on the west bank of the Nile near Luxor, are easily accessible from Luxor city. Here are a few options for getting there:

Taxi:

Hiring a taxi is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get to the Colossi of Memnon. Taxis are readily available in Luxor, and you can negotiate a fare for a round trip. The trip usually takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic and your starting point in Luxor.

Private Tour:

Egypt Best Vacations offers a wide range of private tours to the West Bank, which include a visit to the Colossi of Memnon. This option is more expensive but includes a guide and transportation. Tours typically last half a day to a full day, depending on the number of sites visited.

Public Ferry:

For a more budget-friendly option, you can take a public ferry across the Nile to the west bank and then hire a local taxi or rent a bicycle. The ferry ride is quick, around 5-10 minutes. From the west bank, it’s about a 15-20 minute taxi ride or a 30-45 minute bike ride.

Public Minibus:

Public minibuses are the cheapest option but may require some local knowledge to navigate. These minibuses are shared and can be flagged down in Luxor.

It’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and crowds. Always agree on the fare before starting your journey, especially with taxis and private drivers. Carry water, a hat, and sunscreen, as it can get very hot during the day.

FAQs

What are the Colossi of Memnon?

They are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that once guarded the entrance to his mortuary temple on the west bank of Luxor, of which they are now nearly the only remaining part.

Who built the Colossi of Memnon and when?

They were built during the reign of Amenhotep III, the ninth king of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, who ruled in the 14th century BCE.

How big are the statues?

Each statue stands about 18 meters tall and weighs roughly 750 tons, carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone quarried near Cairo.

Why are they called the “Colossi of Memnon”?

Ancient Greek visitors associated the statues with Memnon, a mythical king who died at Troy, after one colossus reportedly emitted a strange sound each dawn.

Why did one of the statues make sounds at sunrise?

The sound is believed to have been caused by temperature-driven vibrations in the cracked stone after an earthquake damaged the statue, though ancient travelers attributed it to legend.

What happened to the original mortuary temple?

The temple behind the statues was largely destroyed, likely by a major Nile flood, and later pharaohs reused its stone blocks for their own building projects.

Where are the Colossi of Memnon located, and how do I get there from Luxor?

They sit on Luxor’s west bank and can be reached by taxi, private tour, public ferry plus local transport, or minibus, with the trip typically taking 20 to 40 minutes.

When is the best time to visit?

Early morning is recommended to avoid the midday heat and larger crowds.