Luxor

   Modern name for the town on the site of ancientThebes. The name is used by Egyptologists to refer to the templein Luxor, known to the Egyptians as Iput-rsyt, as distinct from the temple of Karnak, or Iput-sut, now on the outskirts of the town. The Luxor temple was built by Amenhotep III and apparently dedicated to the ka, the soul of the king. Reliefs feature the divine birth of the king. The temple was later enlarged by Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. Aprocession of ram-headed sphinxesconnected the temple to that of Karnak. During the main religious festival, the sacred image of the god Amun would proceed from Karnak to Luxor on a barque carried by priests. During the 4th century AD, part of the temple was converted into a church and later a mosque. AMuslim religious festival celebrating a local saint incorporates some features of the ancient Egyptian ritual. Amajor cache of New Kingdomstatues was recovered here in 1989.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier