Colossi of Memnon By Stephen Walsh Aaron Ralph

Colossi of Memnon By Stephen Walsh & Aaron Ralph

Colossi of Memnon l The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3400 years (since 1350 BC) they have stood, across the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.

Memnon l Memon was a hero of the Trojan War, a King of Ethiopia who led his armies from Africa into Asia Minor to help defend the city but was ultimately slain by Achilles. The name Memnon means "Ruler of the Dawn", and was probably applied to the colossi because of the reported cry at dawn of one of the statues. Eventually, the entire Theban Necropolis became generally referred to as the Memnonium.

Facts l The colossi reach a towering 18 m (60 ft) in height and weigh an estimated 720 tons each. l They consist a different type of sandstone, and are the result of a later Roman Empire reconstruction attempt. It is believed that originally the two statues were identical to each other. l The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep's memorial temple.

More facts In 27 BC, a large earthquake reportedly shattered the eastern colossus, collapsing it from the waist up and cracking the lower half. Following its rupture, the remaining lower half of this statue was then reputed to "sing" on various occasions- always within an hour or two of sunrise, The last recorded reliable observation of the sound dates from 196 (A. D. ).

QUIZ What is the Colossi of memnon? l Who was memnon? l What is the estimated weight of each one of them? l What did they do at sunrise after the earthquake? l