The temple of Medinet Habou Medinet Habou is modern name of the southern part of the Theban necropolis.

s. The place was called I3t t3mt later d3mt since the 21st dynasty. I3t t3mt was described as the city of the creator gods in Thebes (Ogdoad of elAshmonein) The temple of Medinet Habou was called hnmt nhh united with the Eternity Modern name Medinet Habou Medinet refers to the Christian town which was established within the precincts of the temple. Habou maybe driven from the name of Imn-htp s3 h3pw the famous architect who lived during the time of Amenhotep the 3rd, or referring to one of the famous of god Thot (baboon Habou). Excavation of site 1860-1933 Mariette- Theodore Davies- Breasted. In front of the temple there was chapel dated to the Middle kingdom. The most important temple in the area is the temple dated to the 18th dynasty. The area also included tomb chapels for the princesses of the 25th and 26th dynasties. The temple of Ramesses the 2nd. The temple of Ramesses the 3rd The whole sacred place was encircled by three successive walls: - The outer mud brick wall with a height of 17.7 m - The middle enclosure with a height of 10m. - The inner mud-brick wall with openings with a height of 3.9m. The entrance of the temple used to be approached by a canal branching off from the Nile. The portal is flanked by 2 rooms for the guardians then the portal of Ramesses the 3rd following the type of Syrian fronts known as Migdol: 2 towers with windows and a portal in the middle. The Migdol was maybe of
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Egyptian origin because similar constructions were erected in Nubian during the Middle kingdom. The scenes on the outer walls of this portal: - Ramesses the 3rd smiting the Asiatics in front of: Rc Hr 3hty (representing the North) and Imn-Rc (representing the south) in the passageway between the two towers two seated statues of the black granite represent Sekhmet with a leonine head (manifestation of Mwt) scenes: - On the right tower: Ramesses the 3rd wearing the red crown with his k3 smiting the chiefs of the enemies in front of Rc hr 3hty - On the left tower: Ramesses the 3rd wearing the white crown with his k3 smiting the chiefs of the enemies in front of Amon. The first court The eastern faade of this court is occupied by the first pylon bearing the scenes depicting: 1- The wars of Ramesses against the Libyans during the elements year of his reign. 2- Hands of enemies (amputated) Like Ramesses the 2nd, Ramesses the 3rd had to deal with the Libyans who, after being driven back by Merenptah, had returned to western Delta. Ramesses the 3rd managed to defeat them and he was even able to incorporate a number of the Libyans captives into the Egyptian army. In the 11th year of his reign a new wave of Libyans invaded Egypt again. Ramesses the 3rd defeated them and the prisoners were taken as mercenaries in the Fayum and the Delta. There mercenaries were taken as captives along with their wives and children. Little by little, Libyans communities began to accumulate in Egypt and gathered together seizing power.

 The first court is flanked by two rows of columns, to the right there are seven pillars with statues of Ramesses the 3rd in the Osirian form, flanked by two small statues of his family members. 3- The decoration behind the statues shows the king performing religious ceremonies in front of Sekhmet and Amon Re Hor Akhaty. Other scenes represent him accompanied by the fan bearers and followers. The king is also depicted while meeting the Syrian captives brought by an Egyptian prince, and the king represents his captives to the Theban triad. The king is depicted in his military chariot accompanied by a lion attacking an Amorite city. To the south there are eight papyri form columns with the palace faade of Ramesses (or the so-called window of appearance through which the king uses to inspect the work in the temple). 4- Below the window there are scenes depicting dancers and wrestlers. The palace is linked with the temple by means of three entrances. The second pylon stands in the western side of the court. 5- The northern tower of the pylon includes a record of the texts relating the victory of Ramesses the 3rd in the 8th year of his reign. In the period between the two Libyans wars, Ramesses the 3rd was forced to deal with the invasion of an alliance of the sea people and the Philistines. They managed to enter the Delta through the eastern mouths of the Nile. Ramesses the 3rd repelled them in a naval battle. 6- The southern tower includes a scene depicting the king offering Captives of the sea people to Amon and Mut. The Ekwesh, Shekelesh and Teresh all came from the coasts of Anatolia and the Aegean isles. The Egyptians gave them the generic name of Sea Peoples.

 A federation of these people attempted an attack on Egypt at the end of the 5th year of Merenptahs reign the foreigners attack took the Egyptians so much by surprise that they did not retaliate until a month later. They succeeded in forcing the Sea Peoples back, killing 6000 soldiers and attacking 9000 prisoners. These hight numbers indicate the importance of the offensive which was only a first attempt. The second wave of Sea People came 20 years later, in the reign of Ramesses the 3rd. The second court It was transferred into a church in the Coptic era. This court is surrounded by colonnades from all sides. 7- The scenes on the southern wall of this court; are those depicting Soker festival. The priests are carrying the sacred barks the emblems of Soker and some small statues; while the king stands behind them with his followers. The priests are also depicted carrying the emblem of Nefertum son of Ptah. The scenes also show the priests carrying the bark of god Ptah Soker, followed by the king. Traditional scenes depict the king with the gods and goddess. + Below these scenes on the southern tower the traditional scenes depict the captives lead by Ramesses the 3rd. 8- The southern wall records the Libyan wars lead by Ramesses the 3rd in the 5th year of his reign. 9- The northern and north-eastern walls depict the festival of Min. The scenes are copies of these depicted on the walls of the court at the Ramesseum. 9- The final scene shows the king liberating the four geese to announce the beginning of the celebration to four corners of the universe. + Fan bearers + Soker festival (priests)

The first hypostyle hall The hall is destroyed because of the earthquake that took place in 27 B.C .The ceiling of the hall was supported by 24 columns arranged in 6 rows. (some parts of chambers are remained) The second hypostyle hall The ceiling of the second hypostyle hall was supported by 8 columns distributed (arranged) in 2 rows. The third hypostyle hall The ceiling of the third hypostyle hall was also supported by 8 columns distributed in 2 rows.

Around the sanctuary Themes from the book of the (i3rw fields) Scenes of benu birds, the phoenix-like bird. King on his boat sailing to the other world. The remarkable in Habou m3ct to the gods and curving them. Solar boats. Offering to gods. Sings are deeply curved. Ntrw nbw imyw pt Ntrw nbw imyw t3 Remains of the hypostyle hall columns. Copra with crowns.

The holy of the hollies It is surrounded by several chambers, some of which were consecrated to the cult objects of the temple while the others were dedicated to gods and goddesses. The outer northern and western walls of the temple depict scenes of the military battles of king Ramesses the 3rd and his victories over the sea people and the Libyans. Outside the temple The Libyans and Asiatics enemies features, clothes and their representation as captives. Cylindrical shapes similar to cartoushes each bear the name of conquered cities. Military chariot of the king and the enemies are depicted. The southern outer walls depict the calendar of feast, a copy of that at the Ramesseum (the calendar includes detailed information about the feasts of Amon, Soker and Min in addition to annual and monthly feasts celebrated in the temple). The reliefs of the outer wall of the southern tower of the first pylon (behind this pylon) are exceptional in their execution. They depict king Ramesses the 3rd in the marches hunting wild bulls There are some pillars are remained.