Sun, May 22, 2022
[PHILAE: Egypt's Island of Secrets] One of Egypt's greatest temple complexes is on Philae island in the upper Nile, mainly dedicated to Isis, the major goddess of fertility. It was regularly added to by Pharaons and even still by Roman emperors. The location near the first cataract explains it being fortified as a water citadel, with high walls at the side, to protect and control the priceless trade from Nubia, notably in gold, to Aswan. Only the advent of Christianity saw it converted to a church complex, and the building of the great Aswan dam required it being moved, like Aby Simbel.