Philae - Temple of Isis - Forecourt

The central doorway, within which (on the right) is a French inscription ("an 7 de la République") commemorating Napoleon's campaign and the pursuit of the Mamelukes by General Desaix in 1799, leads into the Forecourt, between the first and second pylons. On the rear wall of the first pylon are four priests with the sacred barque of Isis, preceded by the King burning incense. On either side of the forecourt are small buildings fronted by colonnades.

The small building to the east, opposite the birth house, contained rooms for the priests and others which served some scientific purpose. The plant columns in the vestibule are notable for their elegant proportions. The reliefs and inscriptions are by Neos Dionysos, the dedicatory