MANDOLIN TEMPLE
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It was Augustus who erected this temple, originally located 40 km north of its present site. Earlier, Amenhetep II had built a temple here dedicated to Mandulis, also called Meru, a minor Nubian god, but also celebrated at Philae in the temple of Isis. His lion-like appearance associated him with Tefnut, the distant and dangerous daughter of Ra. Even later, he was linked to Apollo. Measuring 71.60 m long by 35.50 m wide, it was one of the largest sanctuaries in Nubia at the time, alongside Philae and Abu Simbel. The dismantling and relocation of the temple was the first work of its kind, and served as a model for all others of its kind in the region.
Two surrounding walls surrounded the temple; only one remains today.
Pylon: two upright positions indicate that masts once stood in front of this recent temple, typically of Roman date; it gives access to an open-roofed courtyard surrounded by 14 pillars.
Pronaos: once past the Ptolemaic portico, access is gained to a covered pronaos supported by eight columns.
Sanctuary: two vestibules precede the sanctuary, where Augustus is depicted giving offerings to various deities.
Enclosure: the enclosure provides access to the outer walls of the temple and to the now useless site of a nilometer.
To the west, a small chapel dedicated to Dedoun, a young Nubian god known as "the purveyor of incense", also appears at Philae.
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