Temple of Karnak: The Majestic Architecture of Ancient Kemet, first published (2011) by SuMon Publishers is now an updated and expanded version of that earlier issue offering readers a comprehensive artistic, historical and esoteric insight into this important religious structure instrumental in the history of imperial Egypt/Kemet. The Temple of Karnak is a full-length English language book on the ancient world's grandest home of a deity, still standing millennia later despite its many man-made and natural challenges. Insightfully, it presents insights into the historical, pictographic, architectural and archaeological adventures of a temple 2000 years in the making. So much so, today, 2000 years later, this masterpiece still exudes and evokes much of the ancient mysticism, spirituality and awe-inspiring esotericism. Together with more than 400 photographs, illustrations and plans highlighting the more salient features of a divinely inspired complex of temples, readers are treated to an extensive English bibliography, both general and specific, to encourage further research on this ancient architectural museum, making it an indispensable read and therefore a welcome addition to any library collection.
Karnak supplies readers with photographic imageries aided in a textual survey of a quintessential Middle and New Kingdom temple, home of the national God Amon-Ra, 'King of the Gods,' 'Father of the Gods,' a place ancient Egyptians considered the 'Throne of the World.' Encompassing two poems, to Amon-Ra and the temple itself; a 'Why and Wherefore' of the philosophy of ancient Egyptian religion manifesting at Karnak; a compendium of famous writers' insights much of which they witnessed; a detailed description of the principal features of the temple in the ascent towards the 'holy of holies' and beyond; including a selection of some of the choicest pieces of 'Talatat art' from the Open Air Museum and scattered throughout the structure; all this makes it "a book you can take to the temple!" As such, the work highlights important features before and beyond the entrance pylon; provides a photographic depiction of the Hypostyle Hall's plan and temple ritual in its architectural columnar majesty. Included is a depiction of the Wars of Seti I and images of both Seti and Rameses II in temple ritual; points to Thutmose III's Festival Temple the
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tent pole columns; features Rameses II's "Girdle Wall" illustrations; and includes images highlighting points of principal interest, viz., sphinxes, pylons, colonnades, obelisks, statues, the sacred lake, the great Scarab, courts, axes, temples, walls, decorations, etc., and includes names of people associated with the site, all making The Temple of Karnak, a fact-filled and useful work. Also included is "a second take" on principal segments of the monuments with separate bibliography that extends the source of reference; this addition contributes to further understanding of this magnificent and complex piece of religious architecture. All in all, it's not simply a historic description of the structure but also an indispensable Travel Guide with an Index heightening the adventure and significantly complementing any visit to the temple. Photos enliven the experience and reinforce the rich heritage of the monuments while including items the casual visitor seldom sees. Finally, the traveler, the specialist, student and lay person, all can benefit from this work that should be in any library collection on Ancient Kemet/Egypt. Dr. Frederick Monderson, an African historian and Egyptologist who visits Egypt regularly, has written extensively on ancient Egypt. He can be reached at SuMon Publishers PO Box 160586, Brooklyn, New York 11216, or, fredsegypt.com@fredsegypt.com sumonpublishers.com@sumonpublishers.com blackegyptbooks.com@blackegyptbooks.com, blackfolksbooks.com@blackfolksbooks.com