Edfu

Edfu
The front of the Temple of Edfu
Edfu Location in Egypt
Coordinates: 24°58′40″N 32°52′24″E / 24.97778°N 32.87333°E / 24.97778; 32.87333
Country	Egypt
Governorate	Aswan Governorate
Elevation	86 m (282 ft)
Population (2012)
• Total	133,772
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Area code(s)	(+20) 97

Edfu (also spelt Idfu, or in modern French as Edfou, and known in antiquity as Behdet; Egyptian Arabic: إدفو‎‎  pronounced [ˈʔedfu]) is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, with a population of approximately sixty thousand people. For the ancient history of the city, see below. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu (described below). About 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Edfu are remains of ancient pyramids.

The town is known for the major Ptolemaic temple, built between 237 BC and 57 BC, into the reign of Cleopatra VII. Of all the temple remains in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu is the most completely preserved. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple was constructed over the site of a smaller New Kingdom temple, oriented east to west, facing towards the river. The later structure faces north to south and leaves the ruined remains of the older temple pylon to be seen on the east side of the first court.

The remains of the ancient settlement of Edfu are situated about 50 m to the west of the Ptolemaic temple - to the left of the older temple pylon. This settlement is known as Wetjeset-hor and the Latin name was Apollinopolis Magna (Ancient Greek: Apollinòpolis, Απολλινόπολις). According to Notitia Dignitatum, part of Legio II Traiana Fortis was camped in Apollo superior, which was the Roman name for the town.