PHILAE		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History & Occupation:

The Ptolemaic temple of Philae is one of many such temples that were moved from their original position to escape the rising waters after the damming of the Nile. Unlike the others, including the more famous name of Abu Simbel, Philae does not lie by the shores of Lake Nasser but is rather on an island in the lake between the old Aswan dam and the High dam. It has, in fact, only been moved half a mile from a lower island to one that rose above the waters. Because the island is actually smaller than the original site, the temple has been curiously twisted in its rebuilding, so that the walk through the courtyards and pylons gradually curves to the right instead of lying straight. The temple of Isis, or temple of love that is the main structure on the island was a Greek construction, but there are a number of other monuments that share the island with it, and several of these are of Roman origin. The island underwent building works from the reign of Augustus until at least that of Diocletian and was prosperous and important throughout the Roman period. In the late Roman times the island became home to a Coptic Christian community that converted the place into a monastery and churches, though little evidence remains of this.

Remains and Visit:

Of Hadrian's gate and Claudius' temple to Horus, which lie on the western side of the island, little remains. They are in a bad state of repair. Better sense can be made of Augustus' temple which lies to the north of the more ruinous monuments and the main Isis temple itself. This is fragmentary, but clearly different and beyond it lies the lower storey of a triumphal arch built probably by Diocletian that marked an entrance to the island from a Roman quay. To the south of the temple of Isis and one of the first monuments you see on your arrival at Philae is the colonnade of the temple of Hathor. Though this building is another Ptolemaic construction, its decoration was provided in the reign of Augustus. On the eastern side of the island and standing so proud that it catches the eye from almost everywhere in Philae is the famous so-called Kiosk of Trajan. This building is one of the most impressive monuments of upper Egypt. Though missing its roof, it remains remarkably intact. The roof would originally have been wooden and the walls between the huge pillars should have been decorated as all Egyptian temple walls are, but for the fact that the kiosk remains unfinished. Only two of the sections of wall have been carved. This structure served as the grand entrance to the island for much of the Roman period and is an amazing sight, particularly with the reflections of greenish light from the lake flickering across the stonework. The last Roman section worth contemplating on Philae lies within the great temple of Isis. During the Christianised later Roman period, the hypostyle hall of the temple was converted to a Coptic church and an altar and some decoration are still visible within. Philae is a magical place.

Images:

Late Roman church	Temple of Augustus	Triumphal Gate	Kiosk of Trajan	Aerial view (c/o Google Earth)