Edfu

   Modern name for a site on the west bank of the Nile in the second nome of Upper Egypt, halfway between Thebes and Elephantine (Aswan), ancient Egyptian Djeba, Greek Apollonopolis Magna, where a majortemplededicated to the god Horus, which was rebuilt during the Ptolemaic Period from 237 BC to 57 BC, is located. The inscriptions include a long text, which may be the text of a ritual play. Remains of the earlier temple have been uncovered in the foundations. The Edfu triad consists of Horus, his wife Hathor, and Isis. Tombs from the Old Kingdom to the Byzantine Period are located there, along with a Coptic monastery. Excavations have been performed by AugusteMariettearound 1860, a French expedition from 1914–1933, and a Franco–Polish team from 1937–1939. The temple inscriptions are being published by a French team. The main town site, largely buried under the modern town, has been examined by an international expedition beginning in 2000, and a German expedition has been surveying the locality since 1994. The sacred site of Behdet was located nearby.

   See also Dendera; Esna; Kom Ombo.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier