On the west bank of the Nile, at the edge of green fields in the heart of the Theban necropolis, two gigantic stone sentinels rise. These are the Colossi of Memnon—all that remains of one of the grandest mortuary temples of Ancient Egypt. They have silently watched the sunrise for over 3,400 years, becoming a symbol not only of a pharaoh`s might but also of the mystery that enveloped them in antiquity.
Era and Creator: The Temple of Amenhotep III
The Colossi were created in the 14th century BC, during the New Kingdom, under the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (c. 1388–1351 BC). His rule, lasting nearly 40 years, is considered the zenith of Egyptian power, a time of unprecedented peace, wealth, and cultural flourishing. Unlike his militant successors, Amenhotep III ruled through diplomacy and imposing demonstrations of power, embodied in monumental construction.
He built for himself on the west bank of Thebes (modern Luxor) a grand mortuary temple, dedicated, like the pharaoh himself, to the god Amun-Ra. However, following the tradition of deification, the temple was also dedicated to Amenhotep III himself as a `king-god` during his lifetime.
"The Temple That Startles the Hearts": Scale and Comparisons
Amenhotep III`s temple, bearing the name "The Temple That Startles the Hearts" or "The Palace of Amenhotep," was, without exaggeration, the largest cult structure on the west bank of Thebes and one of the largest in Egypt.
Comparison with Karnak: While the famous Karnak Temple complex on the east bank (built by many pharaohs) covers about 100 hectares, the territory of Amenhotep III`s temple spanned a colossal 35 hectares. This is larger than the entire area of some ancient cities. Karnak is a labyrinth of courts, pylons, and halls accumulated over centuries. Amenhotep`s temple, however, was a unified, grandiose ensemble designed as a cohesive "Mansion of Millions of Years" for the eternal spirit of the pharaoh.
Dimensions and Structure: From the first pylon to the sanctuary, the temple was about 700 meters long. Behind the colossi, which served as "guardians" of the first pylon, followed spacious courtyards, a giant hypostyle hall with hundreds of columns (in a style later used in Luxor Temple), avenues of sphinxes, and numerous shrines. The walls were covered in gold leaf, the floors were inlaid with silver, and hundreds of statues of the pharaoh in the guise of various gods stood everywhere.
The Colossi: Technical Details and Comparison
The two colossi depict Amenhotep III seated on a throne. By the sides of his legs are carved two smaller figures: his wife, Queen Tiye, and his mother, Queen Mutemwiya.
Material and Transportation: The statues are carved from massive blocks of quartzite, quarried at Gebel el-Ahmar near modern Cairo—a journey of over 700 km down the Nile! The weight of each statue is estimated at about 720 tons, and their height with pedestals is about 18 meters.
Comparison with the Colossus of Ramesses II: The Colossus of Ramesses at the Ramesseum was a seated statue of comparable height (also about 18 m), but likely more massive due to a different pose (the widely spaced knees of the throne). The key difference lies in their preservation: only a pile of fragments remains of Ramesses` statue, while the Colossi of Memnon have retained their basic form and still stand upright, albeit heavily damaged.
The Temple`s Decline and the Birth of a Legend
The temple`s grandeur was short-lived. Located too close to the Nile floodplain, it began to collapse just 200 years after its construction. Regular Nile floods undermined the foundations made of unbaked brick. By the end of the 19th Dynasty (c. 13th–12th centuries BC), the temple was used as a quarry—pharaohs like Merneptah and Ramesses III took stones from here for their own constructions. By the Roman era (1st century AD), only the two giant colossi remained from the entire complex, standing alone among rice fields.
The Singing Stone: The Legend of Memnon and the End of the Wonder
After an earthquake in 27 BC, the northern colossus cracked in its lower section. From that moment, in the pre-dawn hours, especially after sharp temperature changes or increased humidity, the damaged statue began to emit a prolonged, melodic sound, resembling a moan or the twang of a broken lyre string.
For Greek and Roman travelers visiting Egypt, this phenomenon became a sensation. They identified the statue not with an Egyptian pharaoh, but with the hero of the Trojan War, Memnon, son of the goddess of dawn, Eos. According to legend, Memnon was killed by Achilles, and his mother mourned him every morning, with his stone effigy answering her with a plaintive moan. Thus, the name "Colossi of Memnon" was born.
Legends and Interpretations:
Greeting to His Mother: The sound was considered Memnon`s greeting to his mother, Eos. Hearing it was deemed a good omen, especially for rulers and important persons. Emperor Hadrian and his entourage specifically traveled to witness the wonder.
The Oracle of Memnon: The statue became an oracle. People carved inscriptions (graffiti visible today) on its legs and pedestal, addressing Memnon with questions or thanking him for the heard "voice." The authors included famous poets and officials.
Scientific Explanation: Modern science explains the phenomenon simply: after the earthquake, cracks formed inside the statue. At night, the stone cooled, and with the first rays of the sun, it heated rapidly. Moisture (dew or rising groundwater) in the porous quartzite evaporated, passing through the narrow fissures, and created this characteristic whistling or "singing" sound—an effect similar to blowing across a bottle`s neck.
Cessation of the "Singing": In 199 AD, the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, wishing to gain the oracle`s and posterity`s favor, ordered the statue`s restoration. The cracks were repaired, and the upper part was assembled from five rows of blocks. After this restoration, the internal structure of the stone changed, the movement of air and moisture ceased, and the colossus fell silent forever. The wonder, which lasted about two centuries, became part of history.
What Can Tourists See Today?
Today, the Colossi of Memnon are a mandatory stop on the west bank of Luxor tour route.
Two Giants: Tourists see two monumental but severely damaged statues. The southern colossus has better-preserved facial features. On the northern one (which "sang"), the restoration zone from the time of Septimius Severus is clearly visible.
Graffiti from Ancient Tourists: On the pedestals and legs of the statues, one can see dozens of Ancient Greek and Latin graffiti inscriptions left by travelers of the 1st–3rd centuries AD—a unique "guestbook" of the antique era.
Reliefs on the Thrones: The side reliefs have survived, depicting the Nile god Hapi tying together the symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt—the papyrus and the lotus—symbolizing the unity of the country under the pharaoh`s power.
Archaeological Context: Active excavations are underway around the site. Now visible are the remains of foundations, column bases, fragments of the sphinx avenue, and other temple structures, allowing a better appreciation of its original grandiose scale.
The Colossi of Memnon are not just ruins. This is a place where the might of Ancient Egypt intertwines with the romantic myths of Ancient Greece. All tourists know the legend of the singing giant. They remind us that enduring monuments can acquire new meanings and stories, which sometimes become more fascinating than the stone itself.
