The Great Hypostyle Hall

Beyond the Pylon is the Great Hypostyle Hall, justifiably regarded as one of the wonders of the world. This huge hall still exerts an overwhelming effect on everyone who enters. Measuring 103 meters by 52 meters, it covers an area of more than 5,000 square meters.

The roof was supported on 134 columns in 16 rows. The two central rows, which are higher, consist of papyrus columns with open capitals, while the other rows have closed capitals. The roof of the central aisle, 24 meters high, rested on the two central rows of columns and on one of the lower rows on each side, the difference in height being made good by square pillars on top of the lower columns. Between these pillars were windows with stone lattice work (one of which, on the south side, is almost perfectly preserved).

Inscriptions on the Hypostyle Hall's columns

The walls of the hall, the shafts of the columns, the abaci, and the architraves are covered with inscriptions and reliefs of pharaohs making offerings, many of which have preserved their original coloring. Those in the northern half of the hall (as far as the tenth row of columns), which date from the reign of Seti I, are in delicate low relief; those in the southern half, dating from the reign of Ramses II, are in cruder sunk relief.

Don't Miss: Among the fine reliefs of Seti I's reign, the most notable are those on the north wall. To the left of the north side door on the lower side, you see Seti in front of the sanctuary, in which is the sacred barque of Amun, followed by Seti conducted into the temple by the falcon-headed Montu and Atum. Above, Seti is depicted in presence of the gods of Thebes.

The Hypostyle Hall's columns and architraves

The outer walls of the Hypostyle Hall have historical reliefs depicting the victories of Seti I (north wall) and Ramses II (south wall) over the people of Palestine and Libya. They are best seen by afternoon light. On the east end of the north wall, you see Seti in Lebanon, while below, a battle with the Bedouin of southern Palestine. To the right and left of the doorway are two huge reliefs: Seti I holding enemies by the hair with his club raised to smite them; and Amun, with several rows of captured nations and cities, presenting the curved sword of victory.

Temple of Amun Reliefs

On the western part of the north wall, the reliefs begin at the far end and go from right to left. On the top row, you see the storming of Qadesh in the land of Amor (northern Palestine): the pharaoh (face missing) shooting arrows from his chariot, which has overturned an enemy chariot, while to the right, on a tree-clad hill, the Fortress of Qadesh with its defenders pierced by arrows. The middle row shows battle scenes with the Libyans, while the bottom row shows the battle with the Hittites in northern Syria.

To the west of the reliefs, on the south end of the Second Pylon, is the Triumphal Inscription of Sheshonq I, the Shishak of the Old Testament. It celebrates the pharaoh's victory over Rehoboam of Judah, the son of Solomon. To the left is a large figure of Amun holding the curved sword of victory in his right hand, and in his left, cords binding five rows of captured cities, each represented by a circuit of walls bearing its name and the upper part of the body of a fettered prisoner. Below Amun is the protective goddess of the Theban nome, with a club, bow, and quiver, holding cords attached to five rows of prisoners. To the right, the pharaoh (figure unfinished) holds a group of cowering prisoners by the hair and smites them with his club.