Colossi of Memnon
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Luka Esenko
About this spot
The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII. For the past 3,400 years, they have stood in the Theban Necropolis, located west of the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.
The Colossi of Memnon depict the pharaoh sitting on a throne with his hands resting on his knees. Each statue stands about 18 meters tall and weighs an estimated 720 tons. The Colossi of Memnon were originally part of a larger mortuary temple that has since been destroyed, leaving only the two statues behind.
The Colossi of Memnon have a long and fascinating history. According to legend, they were named after Memnon, a hero of the Trojan War who was said to have been killed by Achilles. The statues were believed to emit a haunting sound at dawn, which was attributed to the mourning of Memnon's mother, the goddess Eos. In reality, the sound was likely caused by the natural expansion and contraction of the stone as it warmed and cooled in the morning sun. The phenomenon was first reported by the Greek historian Strabo in the 1st century BC and drew visitors from far and wide, including several Roman emperors.
The Colossi of Memnon depict the pharaoh sitting on a throne with his hands resting on his knees. Each statue stands about 18 meters tall and weighs an estimated 720 tons. The Colossi of Memnon were originally part of a larger mortuary temple that has since been destroyed, leaving only the two statues behind.
The Colossi of Memnon have a long and fascinating history. According to legend, they were named after Memnon, a hero of the Trojan War who was said to have been killed by Achilles. The statues were believed to emit a haunting sound at dawn, which was attributed to the mourning of Memnon's mother, the goddess Eos. In reality, the sound was likely caused by the natural expansion and contraction of the stone as it warmed and cooled in the morning sun. The phenomenon was first reported by the Greek historian Strabo in the 1st century BC and drew visitors from far and wide, including several Roman emperors.
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