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The Smaller Columns |
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The closed-bud capital of one of the smaller columns. The square blocks on top of the columns, called abaci, support the architraves. |
The 122 columns which comprise the bulk of this vast stone forest 12 meters (40 ft) high. They are only small in comparison to the 12 great columns in the nave. The smaller columns have closed-bud papyrus capitals imitating stalks which have not bloomed. As one part of the temple as a whole, the Hypostyle Hall functioned as the "public room" of the god's house. Egyptian temples were designed as grander versions of typical Egyptian homes. Each house had a reception chamber with at least one column supporting the roof in even the poorest home. |
