What are the Kom Ombo Temples?
The Kom Ombo Temples are devoted to two different gods: Sobek, the crocodile god and Horus, the mighty falcon headed god. It is a strange temple because it is the only one built in Ancient Egypt for the worship of two gods.
The temples are perfectly symmetrical temples and are nearly mirrors of each other.
When was the Kom Ombo Temple built?
It was built between 180 BC and 145 BC during the Ptolemaic period. It is a pretty recent temple compared to others that were built during the New and Old Kingdoms.
However, there are traces on the site of a temple commissioned by Queen Hatsehpsut and Pharaoh Tutmeses III, called The House of Sobek.
During the Ptolemaic era the monument saw a number of new additions. For example, between 51 BC and 47 BC Ptolemy XIII introduced two large hypostyle halls—considered the largest contribution to the temples.
Although it was primarily for worship, the Kom Ombo Temple was also lauded as healing center and something of a place for wellness and treatment. This attracting swaths of pilgrims that came looking for cures for various ailments and illnesses.
What is the legendary tale of the Temple of Kom Ombo?
There are a number of legends and several renditions of the Egyptian gods and their origin stories. According to the legend of Kom Ombo, the gods Sobek and Horus were actually brothers.
Horus ruled over the land was known for being a righteous king. Sobek was jealous of him and decided to expel Horus, usurping his place as ruler.
But things were not so simple and straightforward for Sobek. Given the population density was quite low, there were not enough hands to work the plantations and agricultural fields.
Sobek took matters into his own hands and decided to make a deal with demons to work on the land. During harvest, , gold sprouted up instead of crops. The people starved and Sobek decided reconciling with Horus is a good solution to the situation.
So, Horus returned took the throne again, this time sharing it with Sobek, and the region thrived once again.