Amenhotep iii the builder
Amenhotep III is known for his extensive building program. He built for many different reasons, but the most obvious reason is to enforce his power, as well as wanting to ensure his monuments and his name would last for all of eternity. 'It pleased his majesty's heart to make great monuments, the likes of which had not existed since the beginning of the Two Lands,' (Lichtheim, M) this quote explains further Amenhotep's passion to build as his building program had been like no other before. Historians D. O’Conner and E. Cline wrote 'Luxor temple and the Colossi of Memnon are only the most famous of the monuments that Amenhotep III erected.... to the glory of the gods.... 'Everlasting fame''. This quote again exemplifies Amenhotep III's power through the role of building.
In relation to power, it has been suggested that he also used his ability to build to reduce the power of Amun priests, who received power because of their strong connection to Amun-Re. Amenhotep III's strategy to lessen the priests influence, was to build and dedicate to other gods and goddesses of the Egyptian belief. Gods he built to include Ptah, Re-Horakhty, Thoth and Sekhmet. Evidence of this can be seen in Amenhotep's mortuary temple where statues depicting Sekhmet can be found. These representations of other gods and goddesses redirect the focal point that was on Amen Re.
The theory above is one way of looking at the reason as to why Amenhotep III built to other Gods. A second theory is that it would help him to show of a great connection with many gods and goddesses, Amen-Re included. This would have improved his power as a religious leader and builder alike. 'He made [it] as his monuments, for his father, Amen, Lord of Thebes,... An eternal everlasting fortress.' This quote is showing the dedication to Amen Re, showing that Amenhotep created a strong link between Religion and Building, as he believed building was the best way to represent both these roles.
Amenhotep III showed his real greatness in connection with the gods when he built his mortuary temple on the west bank of the River Nile which was dedicated to Amen Re. Unfortunately all that remains is two damaged but beautiful statues which we know today as the Colossi of Memnon (pictured above). Amenhotep III's official, Amenhotep, Son of Hapu. he was responsible for the completion and the work gone into many of the kings monuments, including the statues and also the mortuary temple. Due to an earthquake in 27BC, the statues are now destroyed. The earthquake created a bell like tone that usually occurred in the morning due to the rise of temperatures and humidity. They were eventually silenced though by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. At their height of 17m, they are the only lasting part of the mortuary temple. The reason for this is that it was built close enough to the Nile so that when inundation occurred the Nile would flood into the outer courts and halls. This symbolized the emergence of the world from the primeval waters of creation. Obviously the water from the Nile caused damage to the temple, mainly because it's walls were made from mud brick. Despite these issues an inscription was still uncovered 'He did [it] as his monument for (his) father Amen, lord of the throne of the two lands, making for him a splendid temple on the right of Thebes; a fortress of eternity out of good white sandstone - worked with gold throughout. It's floors were purified with silver, all it's doorways were of electrum...' this quote gives further evidence of the importance that Amenhotep III put on dedicating buildings to the gods and goddesses.
The last real reason that Amenhotep used the role of builder so extravagantly was to honour his first wife - Tiye. Amenhotep dedicated many buildings to his wife. He built her a artificial lake in the eleventh year of his reign and also built her many temples and statues. He placed her on the same level as himself presenting them as equals. Evidence of this is a temple at Sedeinga in Nubia erected during the later part of Amenhotep's reign. This temple is the female counterpart to a larger temple, which was dedicated to Amenhotep III close by.
All the monuments that were erected by Amenhotep III were significant to the role of being a pharaoh. It was important to every pharaoh to be remembered and to be seen as powerful by the people of their reign and also after. The importance of Amenhotep III's building program is obvious as pharaohs following him added to his monuments such as the temple at Luxor. He proved to be even more significant after each monument was erected. His building program was of one of the greatest - apart from Rameses II. The remains of his structures provide valuable information into the importance of his role as a builder. Although natural forces and human interference has destroyed some of his monuments, Amenhotep III has a large significance in the role of building.
In relation to power, it has been suggested that he also used his ability to build to reduce the power of Amun priests, who received power because of their strong connection to Amun-Re. Amenhotep III's strategy to lessen the priests influence, was to build and dedicate to other gods and goddesses of the Egyptian belief. Gods he built to include Ptah, Re-Horakhty, Thoth and Sekhmet. Evidence of this can be seen in Amenhotep's mortuary temple where statues depicting Sekhmet can be found. These representations of other gods and goddesses redirect the focal point that was on Amen Re.
The theory above is one way of looking at the reason as to why Amenhotep III built to other Gods. A second theory is that it would help him to show of a great connection with many gods and goddesses, Amen-Re included. This would have improved his power as a religious leader and builder alike. 'He made [it] as his monuments, for his father, Amen, Lord of Thebes,... An eternal everlasting fortress.' This quote is showing the dedication to Amen Re, showing that Amenhotep created a strong link between Religion and Building, as he believed building was the best way to represent both these roles.
Amenhotep III showed his real greatness in connection with the gods when he built his mortuary temple on the west bank of the River Nile which was dedicated to Amen Re. Unfortunately all that remains is two damaged but beautiful statues which we know today as the Colossi of Memnon (pictured above). Amenhotep III's official, Amenhotep, Son of Hapu. he was responsible for the completion and the work gone into many of the kings monuments, including the statues and also the mortuary temple. Due to an earthquake in 27BC, the statues are now destroyed. The earthquake created a bell like tone that usually occurred in the morning due to the rise of temperatures and humidity. They were eventually silenced though by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. At their height of 17m, they are the only lasting part of the mortuary temple. The reason for this is that it was built close enough to the Nile so that when inundation occurred the Nile would flood into the outer courts and halls. This symbolized the emergence of the world from the primeval waters of creation. Obviously the water from the Nile caused damage to the temple, mainly because it's walls were made from mud brick. Despite these issues an inscription was still uncovered 'He did [it] as his monument for (his) father Amen, lord of the throne of the two lands, making for him a splendid temple on the right of Thebes; a fortress of eternity out of good white sandstone - worked with gold throughout. It's floors were purified with silver, all it's doorways were of electrum...' this quote gives further evidence of the importance that Amenhotep III put on dedicating buildings to the gods and goddesses.
The last real reason that Amenhotep used the role of builder so extravagantly was to honour his first wife - Tiye. Amenhotep dedicated many buildings to his wife. He built her a artificial lake in the eleventh year of his reign and also built her many temples and statues. He placed her on the same level as himself presenting them as equals. Evidence of this is a temple at Sedeinga in Nubia erected during the later part of Amenhotep's reign. This temple is the female counterpart to a larger temple, which was dedicated to Amenhotep III close by.
All the monuments that were erected by Amenhotep III were significant to the role of being a pharaoh. It was important to every pharaoh to be remembered and to be seen as powerful by the people of their reign and also after. The importance of Amenhotep III's building program is obvious as pharaohs following him added to his monuments such as the temple at Luxor. He proved to be even more significant after each monument was erected. His building program was of one of the greatest - apart from Rameses II. The remains of his structures provide valuable information into the importance of his role as a builder. Although natural forces and human interference has destroyed some of his monuments, Amenhotep III has a large significance in the role of building.