Known as Ipet-isut – or ‘Most Select of Places’ - by the Ancient Egyptians, the Temple of Karnak is one of the largest temple complexes in the world that was built over 4,000 years ago and dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It is derelict today, but still an awesome sight that is visited by millions each year. It spans 200 acres, with the sacred enclosure of Amun a staggering 61 acres in and of itself. This temple alone could hold St. Peter’s, Milan, and Notre Dame Cathedrals in its walls. The Temples of Karnak are probably the largest religious complex in the whole world.
Probably the most famous feature of Karnak is the Hypostyle Hall. It measures 54,000 square feet and is the home of over 134 columns that are covered from top to bottom in hieroglyphics. It is here that researchers actually found the first conclusive evidence that King Tutankhamen existed high towards the top of one of the columns. His name had been erased and replaced by Horemheb after his death. There are several small temples in the complex and a large sacred lake – the largest of all Egyptian temples – that was used during festivals.
The god Amun, who the temple was dedicated to originally, started out as a minor deity who rose up to replace all others as the first supreme god in the land thanks to the help of Thutmose III and other New Kingdom kings. Even to this day there is very little known about this local god that took over and he has no legends or miracles to his name. It is thought that he was more of the idea of a ‘godhead’ than an actual god and many called him the ‘Vizier to the Poor’.
Karnak at one time also held a huge temple that was located beyond the Eastern Gateway that was built by the heretic king, Akhenaten, King Tut’s father. Akhenaten took Ancient Egypt from a polytheistic society to a monotheistic society, worshipping the sun. When he died, anything that had to do with him and his reign was destroyed, including the temple at Karnak.
