The Temple of Shanhur

The present book is the second volume devoted to the publication of the temple of Shanhûr. The first concerned the decorated inner parts of the temple, altogether ninety-eight ritual scenes or texts. With the second volume, the exterior walls, including the contra-temple at the northern exterior wall, and the remains of the lateral chapel and hypostyle hall are published, in total 141 ritual scenes or texts. The decoration programme of the exterior walls illuminates a clear theological development under the reign of Claudius as compared to the earliest stage of the Shanhûr temple under Augustus. The manifestations of the Great Goddess (Isis) appear in the form of mother goddesses, with their familial relationships being expressed in terms of the theological systems of Thebes and Coptos. However, the temple does not simply convey the Theban and Coptite religious understanding, but essentially is a form of Coptite theology, in which Theban conceptions are cast in the mould developed by Coptite priests.