Mammisi

The Hieroglyphic name of Mammisi

The mammisi, which is often referred to as a birth house and seen by some to be a temple in its own rite, was certainly a structure with substantial religious meaning, especially for the king. This condition, which is really a coptic discussion for "birth-situation", was originally invented for the structure by Jean Francois Champollion. excavated within the temple precinct and often oriented at right angles to the main temple axis, this type of construction was affiliated with the secret birth of the gods and the celebration of their births. Particularly in New Kingdom mammisis, the divine birth of the king might too be celebrated. While the birth of a god, some as Horus the Younger was primary in the mammisi, the king's divine relationship with the gods is also frequently stressed.

Mammisis were very standard in the Greek and Roman period, when they were present in all knew, major temples, but their stock was credibly Egypt's Late Period. However, their comes out, evidenced by 18th Dynasty reliefs accounting the divine carry of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri and that of Amenhotep III at Luxor, to have been earlier counterparts.

The best preserved of these is the advanced part of the mammisi at Edfu and the rear division of that at Dendera. From these, we see a fairly unique architectural style, leastways from the Greek and Roman Periods, where an entrance vestibule opens into a relatively shortened making. Surrounding this room, a peristyle structure with screen like walls between the columns, might also be erected.

Denderah mammisi

The Southern side of the Mammisi of Edfu

The decorative theme within these constructions was apparently related to the birth of a god and his or her divine parents. Hymns were often included but text might draw the complete act of procreation, from the courtship of the parent deities through the birth and display of their child. In the mammisi based in the Temple of Hathor celebrating the birth of Ihy even depicts his formation on the potter's wheel.

However, these birth houses did not just depict the divine child and parents, but often included other affiliated gods, who were often portrayed in the act of laudatory the young god. Bes was often carved in relief on the abaci of the columns, and in several birth houses, Hathor is not only the goddess of motherhood, but is too shown in her function as goddess of music and intoxication.


th the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, which was given to Ihy (the son of Hathor and Horus). This mammisis was developed by Augustus, but not dressed until the reign of Trajan. This particular structure is especially useful, for its inscriptions and decorative theme offer explanations and information on mammisis. At Dendera there was too an earlier birth house began by Nectanebo I during the 30th dynasty, while other much structures are known by us at Philae, lionise the birth of Horus, Kom Ombo, for the birth of Panebtawy and Edfu, keeping the birth of Harpre.

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