Columns of the Esneh Temple.
Title
Columns of the Esneh Temple.
Creator
Date
Identifier
RDS_D0_653_0042
Description
The Esneh Temple, also known as the Temple of Khnum, is a well-preserved Ptolemaic-Roman sanctuary in the city of Esna, Egypt, dedicated to the ram-headed creator god Khnum. Located about 60 km south of Luxor, the temple is known for its impressive hypostyle hall with 24 tall sandstone columns, vividly decorated with colourful reliefs, inscribed texts, and astronomical ceilings, including a Babylonian zodiac. A former cotton storage facility, the temple's extensive preservation is partly due to the soot that accumulated on its walls and ceilings, which has been cleaned to reveal vivid colours and intricate artwork from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
Rights
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archive
Format
Glass slide
Type
Original Format
Glass slide
Collection
Citation
Steele, Lawrence E., “Columns of the Esneh Temple.,” RDS Digital Archive, accessed December 5, 2025, https://digitalarchive.rds.ie/items/show/6047.