LEE JO YEE 0314880

I am going to share my findings and opinion on the characteristics and features of space inside the temple. The space, as observed, was built such an order that it was ranging from public area to private area. The temple is built such as the new addition was situated in front of the older section; thus we encounter the temple in reverse chronological order. (Sullivan)

There are a total of 7 sections in the temple of Luxor.

1. The great entrance - Pylon of Ramses II .2. The first courtyard of the building, Court of RAMSES II3. Colonnade of Amenophis III which is a a large room with columns4. The second courtyard, Court of Amenophis III5. The Great Hypostyle Hall6. Chapel of Alexander the Great 7. The Holy of holies sanctuary

1. Pylon of Ramses II

The pylon acted as a large entrance at the front of the temple.

Resource: http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/home.html

It was designed with two massive seated statues of Rameses II guarding the huge gateway. It was decorative and majestic and clear enough to be seen as an entrance of a building. It was a public area. My colleague later will elaborate more on the story of the statues.

2. Court of Ramses II

After entering, you will be impressed by the famous Court of Ramses II. The court basically is a courtyard, which was a large open room without a roof.

Front view of Court of Ramses II

Resource: http://tieba.baidu.com/p/160182799

The court is a big space after the entrance and it was surrounded by 74 papyrus columns. It was classified as a semi-public area as people of that time are only allowed to enter during festival or ceremonies.

3. Colonnade of Amenophis III

After that, the third section will be the Colonnade of Amenophis III. This is where the feast of Amun also known as the Opet festival, a ritual event that connects Karnak temple and Luxor took part at. As we have known the temple is a holy and sacred place.

The Opet festival took part in Luxor temple.

Resource: http://www.hethert.org/opet.htm

The columns of the colonnade.

Resources: http://www.discoveringegypt.com/luxor5.htm

Hence, in this section, the ceiling was lower and the floor was raised up compared to previous sections to create a smaller standing space. The space was relatively dark and light only shone on the center aisle. In my opinion, this is to create a more mysterious and solemn atmosphere as to show this is a private space. At this part, important priests and the pharaoh were allowed to enter.

4. Court of Amenophis III

After walking down a long aisle, you will find yourself in the second courtyard of the building, the Court of Amenophis III. The surrounding was very dark. Only the high priests and the pharaoh could ever enter this part of the temple. (Musuem) The court leads into the Hypostyle Hall.

5. The Great Hypostyle Hall

Resource: http://www.discoveringegypt.com/luxor7.htm

A hypostyle hall is another relatively big space that was strictly only for the high priests and the pharaoh to enter. It was used to perform the ritual procession. My colleagues later on will further elaborate on the structure of this hall and the significance of this hall.

6. Chapel of Alexander the Great

7. The Holy of Holies Sanctuary

After the hypostyle hall, there were the Chapel of Alexander the Great and the Holy of Holies Sanctuary. The sanctuary is the birth shrine of Amenophis III.

An analysis in term of element and principle of design, the building has posses some of the principles as shown below in the space:

1. Value –

We have found out that the space received lesser light as we further travel deep into the building. From the courtyard to the chapel, the ceiling is lowering and the floor is raising up gradually.

This is because the characteristic of the space has slowly changed from public area to private area. In private area, it has more enclosure of the space and even no opening to the outside.

There was no opening in the chapel of Alexander the Great.

2. Unity –

The space has been designed in a square form throughout the building. Two courtyards are the main structure of the space. The colonnade and the hypostyle were in a long rectangular shape. It formed a long hierarchy movement that persuading people to move forward.

Resource: http://www.kenseamedia.com/october/l_temple.htm

Bibliography

Musuem, T. B. (n.d.). www.ancientegypt.co.uk. Retrieved April 23th , 2014, from http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/index.html: http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/temples/explore/main.html

Sullivan, M. A. (n.d.). Temple of Luxor. Retrieved April 23rd, 2014, from http://www.bluffton.edu/: http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/egypt/luxor/luxor.html