Karnak, Abu Simbel, and the Egyptian Calendar
After the collapse of the Old Kingdom, Egypt entered the First Intermediate Period. Often known as the ‘dark period’, it lasted for 126 years (2181–2055 BCE). It was considered a time of great political instability and discord. More recently, scholars have revised this opinion to reflect that it may have been considered unstable and chaotic because it was a period of the transition of power. Traditionally, the pharaoh held absolute power and controlled the country from his seat in Memphis, and his dictates would trickle down eventually to all the surrounding provinces. When the decentralization of power took place, local districts had to learn to take care of things themselves and local officials began to rise in prominence, power, and wealth.
The country was reunited in what is now known as the Middle Kingdom under the kings of Thebes (now known as Luxor) in 2100 BCE. Therefore, Thebes became the most important city and its god Amun, was merged with the sun god Ra to become Amun-Ra, the most important god of Egypt. Religious monuments gained great popularity and importance during the Middle Kingdom. Perhaps it was the pharaoh’s attempt to reinstate the doctrine of power which began with the pharaoh’s divinity and his essential role in maintaining maat (order and harmony) in Egypt. The impressive monuments were a visible reminder of the power of the pharaoh and his connection to the gods.
There are two important structures built in this period: Karnak and Abu Simbel. Karnak, or the Temple of Amun as it was called, was built over the course of 2,000 years. Pharaohs in the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom, and even the Ptolemaic Dynasty added their own additions and personal touches to the temple. The temple was built to align with the Winter Solstice. This makes sense as the temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, the Sun god. The Winter Solstice, while the shortest and darkest day of the year, is also the turning point heralding the coming of spring and summer. Thus, the Winter Solstice was a celebration of renewal and rebirth.
Seeing the rising Winter Solstice sun framed by the magnificent temple walls would have been an impressive reminder to the Ancient Egyptians of the divine power of their king who made the spectacle possible.
Abu Simbel is another incredible feat of engineering and design built to awe its viewers. Built by Ramses the Great, the temple was built to align with the solstices twice a year on February 22nd and October 22nd. These two days also mark two very important days in Ramses’ life: his coronation and his birthday. One these two days, at sunrise, the solstice sun rises into the sky and its beam strikes the entrance and shoots down the long corridor before it illuminates the statues which sit in darkness for the rest of the year. The statues are (in order of seating arrangement from left to right) Ptah, Amun-Ra, Ramses II, and Re-Horakhte.
Amazingly, the sun illuminates Amun-Ra first (which is fitting since he is the Sun god). Then the sun rays slowly expand to illuminate Ramses and Re- Horakhte. Ptah (the Theban god of darkness) is untouched by the rays of the solstice and remains in darkness all year round. This spectacle lasts for about 20 minutes and served to reaffirm the power of the pharaoh and his divine sanction from Amun-Ra himself.
