We visited at night when initially I thought we would not be able to take any decent photos. I didn't realise that the ruins are well lit, making for some unusual shots.
Over 2,000 years ago when the temple was built, this part of the Nile was infested with crocodiles. So the temple was dedicated to the (bad) Crocodile God, Sobek as well as the (good) God, Haroeris (an incarnation of Horus). I gather that the two Gods initially fought each other bitterly, but eventually came to a compromise & co-existed in harmony. Hence everything in this temple is duplicated - two entrances, two altars, etc.
Some of the carvings almost come to life in these night-time shots.
I couldn't resist this one.
Both this photo and the one below were taken from the same spot.
However in the daylight the ruins look more solid - and maybe less mysterious than at night (IMHO).
Apparently the name Neos Dionysus refers to one of the Ptolemaic Pharaohs, but no one is sure. Not much of the entrance remains.
A relief of Ptolemy, wearing a Macedonian cloak, and his wife being presented with a palm stalk with a sign representing the years of his reign.
A charming relief of a mother giving birth in a squatting position and on the left a baby being suckled.
The Nilometer. This is the Sacred Well linked to the Nile. The height of the annual Nile flood determined the amount of land that would become fertile. At the beginning of each flood season, the officials would levy a tax on the farmers depending on the number of steps covered by the river in this well. I suppose it was simpler than completing a tax form.
A column relief in the forecourt.
Ann & Jo on our boat with the entrance to Kom Ombo in the background.
