Message #66001

[Bianca]

FIGURE 1 (c)
Cros section of an Egyptian Temple







In some temples, such as the one of Karnak, an alley of sphinxes guarded the place. In others,
these were substituted by giant statues of divine guardians or of lions or some other fearful figure.
Next came the pylons (or portals), which had a very characteristic shape. These pylons consist
of very massive, tapering, rectangular jambs resembling a table mountain or lofty altar, on whose
top certain rituals were often celebrated.

These pylons were linked to each other by means of a lower lintel covering the entrance gateway
at the center. They had recesses intended for the placement of wooden flagpoles, usually two or
four. At the front of the pylons were also placed lofty obelisks, again two or four, depending on
the particular temple.