Philae Temple
Site, Abydos to Abu Simbel · also called Temple of Isis at Philae, Agilkia Island, Philae Island
Philae, the island Temple of Isis near Aswan, is where hieroglyphic writing ended: its last dated inscription was carved here in AD 394. Its walls also helped Champollion decipher the script.
The temple of Isis stood on the island of Philae, at the southern edge of Egypt above the First Cataract. Most of what you see was built and decorated under the Ptolemies and Roman emperors; the oldest standing part is a kiosk of Nectanebo I. When the Aswan dams flooded the island, the whole complex was cut into blocks and rebuilt on nearby Agilkia island, a UNESCO project completed in 1980.
Isis was worshipped here long after other temples closed. Pilgrims came from Nubia as well as Egypt, and priests went on writing hieroglyphs and demotic. The temple was traditionally closed in the reign of Justinian, around AD 535–537, and later Christians carved crosses on its walls.
Philae also matters for decipherment. An obelisk taken from the island to England in the 19th century carries a Greek text and hieroglyphs naming a Ptolemy and a Cleopatra. Champollion used the name Cleopatra to test the sound values he had found in Ptolemy's cartouche on the Rosetta Stone.
What to see and read
The last hieroglyphic inscription
In the Gate of Hadrian, a priest named Esmet-Akhom carved a figure of the god Mandulis with a short text dated to 24 August AD 394. No later dated hieroglyphic inscription is known.
First pylon
Ptolemy XII smites enemies before Isis, Horus and Hathor. Look for Coptic crosses cut into the older scenes.
Birth house
The mammisi celebrates Horus's birth, with Isis nursing her son. Its walls also carry decrees of Ptolemy V in hieroglyphs and demotic.
Kiosk of Trajan
An elegant unfinished pavilion by the water, the island's best-known view.
Names you can find here
Signs to look for
- Seat Q1st The seat writes the name of Isis, with the bread loaf and seated woman, in almost every column.
- Bread loaf X1t The bread loaf t is the second sign in Isis's name.
- Seated woman B1 The seated woman closes Isis's name and other goddesses' names.
- Cartouche V10 Cartouches of Ptolemies and Roman emperors such as Trajan and Hadrian cover the walls.
- Ankh S34ꜥnḫ The ankh is held by Isis in offering scenes throughout the temple.
Reading the hieroglyphs here
- You reach the island by a short motorboat ride; agree the waiting time with the boatman.
- The Esmet-Akhom inscription is small; ask a guard or guide to point it out in the Gate of Hadrian.
- Morning light is best on the pylon; inside, let Hiero Lens box the signs on a photo rather than live.
Point your camera at a wall Hiero Lens boxes the signs and names them, on your phone; nothing is uploaded. On worn stone, trace a sign over the photo.
Questions
What is the last hieroglyphic inscription?
A short text carved by Esmet-Akhom at Philae, dated 24 August AD 394. It is the latest dated hieroglyphic inscription known; demotic graffiti there continue until AD 452.
Was Philae temple moved?
Yes. After the Aswan dams left it flooded, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt on Agilkia island, a UNESCO project finished in 1980.
How did Philae help decipher hieroglyphs?
An obelisk from Philae has Greek and hieroglyphic texts naming Ptolemy and Cleopatra. Champollion used the name Cleopatra to test his readings.
Where it is
Open in OpenStreetMap · Written from published sources and not yet checked on site by our team: displays and open tombs change.