Pylon
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The term pylon (mid 19th century, from Greek pulōn, from πύλη pulē ‘gate') normally refers to the large, monumental gateways or gate buildings erected before ancient Egyptian temples.
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Form
Typical of New Kingdom temple architecture are pylons formed of twin broad towers, with a cavetto cornice and gently sloping walls placed on either side of the main temple entry or processional route. From the early Eighteenth Dynasty onwards, pylons form the primary temple façade and are linked architecturally to the courtyard framed immediately behind. The monumental nature of the New Kingdom (and later) pylon was greatly magnified by the addition of deep vertical niches for the securing of multiple flagpoles which decorated the gateways. Pylons were normally not left bare, but rather decorated with relief scenes and inscriptions (cf. further below).
The pylon gateway additionally served as a raised platform, steep narrow steps giving access to the roof. In the New Kingdom period, these staircases typically ascended directly from the narrow side of the pylon; by the Ptolemaic Period, as exemplified in the Temple of Edfu, staircases led a turn-back course through several internal storeys, providing access to side chambers and illuminated by windows. A small platform between the two sides of a pylon, bridging the space across the central passageway, might serve an additional function: at Medinet Habu, for example, the feature included a compact solar cult space.
Colossal statues of the ruler and pairs of obelisks were frequently placed before pylons, increasing their grandeur.
Origins
Traced from architectural prototypes in the corner sections of pyramid temples built during the late Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods, the earliest examples of pylons built in front of a courtyard appear under the Eleventh Dynasty.
Symbolism
Theologically, the pylon might be regarded as an architectural expression of the hieroglyphic symbol for the 'horizon', the place where the sun rose and set, framed between two mountains.
The relief scenes included on pylon walls frequently incorporate destruction rituals (such as the 'smiting' scene of pharaoh and foreign enemies), legitimation scenes (the ruler receiving a sword from a deity) or hunting scenes. The latter in particular integrate the pylon into the overall temple symbolism of attaining and maintaining cosmic order, whilst others celebrate royal achievements and triumphs.
Examples
| PYLON | WIDTH | DEPTH | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnak I | 122 | 15 | 43.5 |
| Karnak II | 100 | 13.9 | ? |
| Karnak III | 97 | 12.6 | ? |
| Karnak IV | 63 | 10.6 | ? |
| Karnak VII | 63.7 | 11.0 | ? |
| Karnak VIII | 48.0 | 9.4 | ? |
| Karnak IX | 65.5 | 11.0 | ? |
| Karnak X | 66.7 | 11.7 | ? |
| Khonsu Temple | 34.5 | 7.0 | 18 |
| Luxor Temple | 64.25 | 8.4 | 25 |
| Medinet Habu | 65 | 11 | 24 |
| Temple of Seti I, Abydos | 60.0 | ? | ? |
| Edfu | 79 | 11 | 36 |
| Philae | 38 | 6.8 | 18 |
| Kalabsha | 34.27 | 6.43 | 16.5 |
Bibliography
- Hölscher, U. [1943], "Der erste Pylon von Karnak. Bautechnische Beobachtungen", MDAIK 12 (1943), pp.139-149.
- Shubert, S.B. [1981], "Studies on the Egyptian Pylon", JSSEA 11 (1981), pp.135-164.
- Sourouzian, H. [1981], "L'apparition du pylone", BIFAO 81 (1981), pp.141-151.
- Van Siclen, C. [1995], "A 'new' representation of a pylon from Karnak", in Iubilate Conlegae: Studies in Memory of Abd el Aziz Sadek, San Antonio, 1995, pp.63-80.
