colossi of memnon by stephen walsh & aaron ralph
DESCRIPTION
Memnon Memon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend the city but was ultimately slain by Achilles. The name Memnon means "Ruler of the Dawn", and was probably applied to the colossi because of the reported cry at dawn of one of the statues. Eventually, the entire Theban Necropolis became generally referred to as the Memnonium. Memon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend the city but was ultimately slain by Achilles. The name Memnon means "Ruler of the Dawn", and was probably applied to the colossi because of the reported cry at dawn of one of the statues. Eventually, the entire Theban Necropolis became generally referred to as the Memnonium.TRANSCRIPT
Colossi of MemnonColossi of Memnon
By Stephen Walsh & Aaron By Stephen Walsh & Aaron RalphRalph
Colossi of MemnonColossi of Memnon The The Colossi of Colossi of
MemnonMemnon are two are two massive stone statues massive stone statues of Pharaoh of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the Amenhotep III. For the past 3400 years (since past 3400 years (since 1350 BC) they have 1350 BC) they have stood, across the stood, across the River Nile from the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.modern city of Luxor.
MemnonMemnon Memon was a hero of the Memon was a hero of the
Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend into Asia Minor to help defend the city but was ultimately slain the city but was ultimately slain by Achilles. The name by Achilles. The name Memnon means "Ruler of the Memnon means "Ruler of the Dawn", and was probably Dawn", and was probably applied to the colossi because applied to the colossi because of the reported cry at dawn of of the reported cry at dawn of one of the statues. Eventually, one of the statues. Eventually, the entire Theban Necropolis the entire Theban Necropolis became generally referred to became generally referred to as the Memnonium. as the Memnonium.
FactsFacts The colossi reach a towering 18 m (60 ft) in height and The colossi reach a towering 18 m (60 ft) in height and
weigh an estimated 720 tons each.weigh an estimated 720 tons each.
They consist a different type of sandstone, and are the They consist a different type of sandstone, and are the result of a later Roman Empire reconstruction attempt. It result of a later Roman Empire reconstruction attempt. It is believed that originally the two statues were identical is believed that originally the two statues were identical to each other.to each other.
The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep's memorial templethe entrance to Amenhotep's memorial temple..
More factsMore facts
In 27 BC, a large earthquake reportedly In 27 BC, a large earthquake reportedly shattered the eastern colossus, collapsing it shattered the eastern colossus, collapsing it from the waist up and cracking the lower half. from the waist up and cracking the lower half. Following its rupture, the remaining lower half of Following its rupture, the remaining lower half of this statue was then reputed to "sing" on various this statue was then reputed to "sing" on various occasions- always within an hour or two of occasions- always within an hour or two of sunrise, The last recorded reliable observation of sunrise, The last recorded reliable observation of the sound dates from 196 (A.D.). the sound dates from 196 (A.D.).
QUIZ QUIZ What is the Colossi of memnon?What is the Colossi of memnon?Who was memnon?Who was memnon?What is the estimated weight of each one What is the estimated weight of each one
of them? of them? What did they do at sunrise after the What did they do at sunrise after the
earthquake?earthquake?
