Dendera , where Hathor supposedly gave birth to Horus’s child, the god Ihy, was Hathor’s cult centre from pre-Dynastic times. Buried under sand until the 19th century, the vast Temple of Hathor remains remarkably intact.
The current temple is Graeco-Roman but its design imitates typical Pharaonic temple architecture – a series of large hypostyle halls leading to a dark sanctuary, surrounded by a maze of storerooms, chapels, and crypts.
Other buildings within the mudbrick walls of the complex include two mammisi (birth houses) and a Coptic basilica.
Dendera Temple Features
Astronomical Ceiling
In this detail from the ceiling, the sun-god Ra is shown sailing his sacred barque across the sky.
Dendera Temple Facade
The pylon-shaped fagade shows Roman emperors Tiberius and Claudius making offerings to Horns and Hathor.
Temple of Hathor Reconstruction
The intricately carved reliefs that adorn the temple were originally painted in vivid colors.
Hathor-headed Columns
Hathor is shown in her human form with cow’s ears at the head of the 18 columns in the hypostyle hall.
Cleopatra and Caesarion
A huge relief on the southern exterior wall shows Cleopatra making offerings to Hathor. Caesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, stands in front of her burning incense.
Cult Of Hathor
Hathor was the goddess of pleasure and love and wet nurse and lover of Horus. Every year she was carried on a barque to Edfu (see pl81 ) to be reunited with Horus. The Festival of Drunkenness, celebrating the divine union, followed.
On New Year’s Day, Hathor’s statue was carried up the decorated west staircase of the temple to the open-air kiosk on the roof, where it was revitalized by the sun.
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