Edfu - Birthhouse

To the west of the entrance to the Temple of Horus is the birthhouse (mammisi), built by Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II and decorated with reliefs by Ptolemy IX Soter II. It is surrounded by a colonnade of cluster columns with floral capitals and figures of the god Bes and consists of a vestibule flanked by two small chambers and the main chamber.

In the main chamber, on the right hand wall (from left to right), are reliefs depicting Hathor of Dendera suckling Horus, with seven other Hathors playing musical instruments in front of her and her young son Ihi with a sistrum behind her; to the right Hathor giving birth, to the left the King with two sistra before seven Hathors suckling the infant; and the King before various deities and (left) before the sacred barque of Hathor. On the left hand walls are reliefs relating to the birth of Harsomtus (Khnum shaping the child on the potter's wheel, etc.). In front of the birth-house is a forecourt, originally enclosed by columns and stone screens. On the shafts of the columns are reliefs of goddesses playing musical instruments and Hathor suckling the infant Horus.