By Jessica Macdonald. The Upper Egyptian town of Kom Ombo rose to greatness under the rule of the Ptolemaic kings, who made it the capital of the Ombite nome and selected it as the site for the double temple now known as the Temple of Kom Ombo. Built on the east bank of the River Nile on an outcrop once frequented by basking crocodiles, the temple is unique in that it has two identical entrances, two linked hypostyle halls and twin sanctuaries dedicated to two different gods; Sobek and Horus the Elder.
It is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis and its remaining walls and columns are the first ancient sight to greet Nile cruisers traveling north from Aswan to Luxor. The existing Ptolemaic temple was pre-dated by an older temple built in the same spot during the rule of 18th dynasty pharaoh Thutmose III.
The western half of the temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility. Ancient Egyptians worshipped him to ensure the fertility of both people and crops, and to protect themselves against the real-life crocodiles living in the River Nile. The eastern half of the temple is dedicated to Horus the Elder, one of the oldest gods in the Egyptian pantheon. Over the centuries the temple has been damaged by river flooding, earthquakes and looters who used its stones for other building projects.
The Temple of Kom Ombo was restored along with many other ancient sights by French director of antiquities, Jacques de Morgan, at the end of the 19th century. It still yields fascinating archaeological discoveries today.
In a project to drain groundwater from the temple uncovered a magnificent sandstone sphinx sculpture and two sandstone stelae. It is possible although not yet confirmed that the latter originates from the temple of Thutmose III. Your visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo starts in the forecourt, where the remains of a double altar and a three-sided colonnade can clearly be seen.
