Edfoo (Coptic, Atbo; anc. Apollinopolis Magna), a city of upper Egypt, about 2 m. from the left bank of the Nile, 50 m. S. S. E. of Thebes. It has about 2,000 inhabitants, and manufactories of earthenware. Here are remarkable ruins of two temples partly covered by sand, built by the Ptolemies after the ancient Pharaonic models. The entrance to the larger temple was by a gateway 17 ft. wide and 50 ft. high, between two truncated pyramids, 134 ft. long, 37 ft. wide at the base, and 114 ft. high. This entrance leads to a court 161 ft. long and 140 ft. wide, surrounded by walls; on each side is a row of pillars at some distance from the wall, the space between being roofed over with stone, forming a covered portico about 35 ft. high. From the entrance to the court there is a gradual ascent to the portico of the temple, which is supported by 18 pillars in three rows, the whole height being 56 ft. Within the temple are several chambers, the last of which was the sanctuary, 33 ft. by 17, in which was placed the image of the god Num or Kneph, to whom the temple is generally supposed to have been dedicated.

Champollion, however, supposed that it was dedicated to the worship of a triad, answering to the Greek Apollo, Aphrodite, and Eros. The whole is enclosed by lofty walls, and is 414 ft. long and 154 ft. wide. Every part of the temple and walls is covered with hieroglyphics, representing the daily progress of the sun through the heavens. This great structure is the most perfect example remaining of an Egyptian temple. The smaller temple, it is supposed, was dedicated to Horus, the son of Kneph; but Champollion thinks it was an adjunct of the great temple, and marks the birthplace of the third person of the triad. About three miles from Edfoo are many grottoes, excavated in the hillside, which probably served as the cemetery of the city.

Ruins at Edfoo.