page44
43
The exterior walls of the temple
At the temple bases carvings can be found which were interpreted by the metropolitan museum of
art as papyrus and lotus plants that seem to grow from water. They interpret this as figures
symbolising the Nile god Hapy (www.metmuseum.org, accessed on 27-3-2019).
The scenes carved on the outside wall represent, according to the MET, the king making offerings
to deities holding scepters and the ankh symbol, the symbol of life. They are carved in sunk relief.
An extra effect this technique has is that shadows cast along the figure’s edges would have
emphasised their outlines. The figures are identified as Isis, Osiris and Horus amongst others. They
are identified by their crowns and the inscriptions behind the figures.
The MET identified the main deity of this temple as Isis and beside her Pedesi and Pihor as the
most important deities of this temple(www.metmuseum.org, accessed on 27-3-2019).
Isis being depicted seems logical from a globalised perspective as she was one of the most popular
gods within the Roman empire. She was one of the few that was worshipped overseas as well and
who was hellenised in the Greek period. Pedesi and Pihor being important figures in this temple
argue in favour of the theory that this temple was built in their honour and is positive evidence
that this temple was indeed a gift to their father for his loyalty to the Roman empire (Altenmüller
et al. 2007, 429).
Fig. 26 doorway leading into pronaos (Aldred 1978, 53)