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Conclusion
The three temples were all built in the same period and because of this share certain similarities,
elements in temple building that only or mostly occur in this period. This includes the design of the
columns in Taffeh and Dendur and the false doors at Shenhur, Dendur and possibly also at Taffeh.
They are also each a result of the Roman empire expanding to a global level, but all in a different
way.
All three are a reaction to the expanding Roman empire, although they each represent a different
kind of reaction. The Taffeh temple and the temple of Dendur are two different kinds of political
strategies to keep an empire of a global size functioning. The reason behind the temple of Shenhur
is not a direct reaction to globalisation, but is a result of two reactions to the expansion of the
Roman empire. These reactions are the increased trade via the eastern desert routes and the
mining activities that took place in Koptos. Both occurred due to Rome expanding its territory to
include Egypt, which provided them with a new source of materials and new possible trade routes.
The first is also related to the trade conducted by the Romans with other foreign areas, which
again is a reaction of the Roman empire expanding to a global scale and the increased interaction
that came with it. The temple of Shenhur was most likely built as a reaction to these processes and
probably functioned as a place for travelers of the eastern desert routes to ask for protection on
their journeys.
By looking at these three temples we can see they were each influenced by certain small changes
due to foreign influences, but we can also see the Roman culture was influenced by Egypt in
return. All three temples have several Egyptian characteristics that were taken up by the Romans
and incorporated into their own culture as well. This can be seen in the small changes in
decoration in Dendur described by Aldred as ‘mistakes’ or the type of column used in this period.
Although it was an Egyptian style, it was not commonly used before, which means this was more of
a Roman than a traditional Egyptian element.