Temples of Abydos Attractions
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Some 95mi/150km northwest of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile, between the villages of El-Khirba and El-Araba el-Madfuna (the "buried" village), are the ruins of the Temples of Abydos (Egyptian Abodu), with one of the oldest necropolises in Egypt, associated with the nearby city of Thinis (This), the first Egyptian capital. From the time of the First and Second Dynasties (beginning of third millennium B.C.) Abydos played an important role as the burial place of kings and high Court dignitaries. Here were celebrated the rituals for the burial of the dead king and the accession of his successor, symbolizing the transitory and recurrent character of all earthly things.
History
The city and its necropolis were both devoted to the worship of the death god Khontamenti, "first of the inhabitants of the Western Kingdom", who had the form of a dog. Even under the Old Kingdom, however, the cult of Osiris, which originated in the Delta, had gained a foothold at Abydos; and thereafter Osiris took possession of the ancient temple and was recognized as Khontamenti's equal.
History
The city and its necropolis were both devoted to the worship of the death god Khontamenti, "first of the inhabitants of the Western Kingdom", who had the form of a dog. Even under the Old Kingdom, however, the cult of Osiris, which originated in the Delta, had gained a foothold at Abydos; and thereafter Osiris took possession of the ancient temple and was recognized as Khontamenti's equal.
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Tips: Access. By car from Sohag (28mi/45km, going
south along the Nile road) or Luxor (87mi/140km: northwest via Qena and Nag Hammadi to El-Balyana, then 712mi/12 km SW). By rail to El-Balyana, then taxi.
As of 1997, travel through and in this area is inadvisable because of security concerns.
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Abydos - Temple of Sethos I
The impressive Temple of Sethos I is a unique design in several ways. Unlike other temples it contains seven chapels, which in turn alters the entire front part of the temple.
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