The complex of wabet and court in temples of the Graeco-Roman period

Filip Coppens

   The architectural complex of a court, open to the light of day, and a slightly elevated and covered chapel forms an essential part of a number of temples from Ptolemaic and Roman times. Notwithstanding strong resemblances among these various ensembles, a general definition of this complex is currently not found in any Egyptological encyclopedia. On the basis of the architecture, inscriptions and decorative scheme, one could nonetheless easily bring together a number of basic components or standard elements that are part of every single complex from this period. The first part of the present paper will attempt to present an overview of the main characteristics of this ensemble, before focusing on the role this complex played in the temple.

   On the basis of the aforementioned basic components, it could be established that the ensemble in the temple of Horus in Edfu (second half 2nd century BC) constitutes at the moment the oldest known complex of this type. Various elements of the rites performed in and parts of the architecture and decoration of this ensemble can however be traced back throughout the history of ancient Egypt. The second part of this paper will focus on the formative period of this complex, during which the various elements were brought together that from Edfu onwards would constitute a wabet and court.