Esna - Temple of Khnum

The outer walls also bear reliefs and inscriptions by Roman Emperors. On the south side Domitian is depicted smiting his enemies in the presence of Khnum and Menheyet, and on the north side Khnum, with the goddess Nebtu standing behind him, presents Trajan, also shown smiting his enemies, with the sickle sword.

The seven aisled Vestibule, the only part of the temple which was completed, dates almost entirely from the Roman Imperial period. Similar in layout to the vestibule of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, it is 108ft/33m long by 54ft/16.5m deep. The roof is supported by 24 columns, in four rows, with elaborate floral capitals. The columns, 37ft/11.3m high and 18ft/5.4m in girth, are covered with reliefs and inscriptions. Over the broad central aisle the roof is decorated with two rows of flying vultures; over the lateral aisles are astronomical representations. On the walls are four rows of reliefs depicting the Emperors, wearing the costume of a Pharaoh, making offerings to the various deities of Esna or performing other ritual acts relating to the building of the temple. In the middle of the rear (west) wall is a pylon like doorway topped by a cavetto cornice, which would have led into the sanctuary (never built); it bears reliefs and inscriptions in the name of Ptolemy VI Philometor. At each end of the rear wall are smaller doors, now built up; to the right of the left hand door Decius is depicted making an offering to the ram headed Khnum. At the foot of the north wall the falcon headed Horus, the Emperor Commodus and Khnum are shown drawing in a net full of waterfowl and fish; to the left stands the ibis headed Thoth, to the right the goddess Sakhet. On the east wall, behind the screen immediately left of the entrance, is a small chapel.

The facade of the temple, facing east, is 125ft/37m long and 49ft/15m high and is topped by a cavetto cornice bearing the names of Claudius and Vespasian on either side of a winged sun. On the architrave are inscriptions in the name of these Emperors, Vespasian being referred to as "ruler of the capital, Rome". On the stone screens between the front row of columns are reliefs depicting the Pharaoh being conducted into the temple by various deities; on the screen at the left hand end Harsiesis and Thoth are shown pouring the consecrating water over the King, with the lionheaded goddess Menheyet standing on the right.