The Ptolemaic temple of Kom Ombo stands on the East bank of the Nile, right next to the river, about 4Km from the town. Temple of Sobek is very unusual temple, it built during the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC - 395 AD)in the Egyptian town of Kom Ombo. Some additions to it were later made during the Roman period. The Temple is unique from temples in Egypt because its 'double' design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. Itwas dedicated to two triads of deities, each with their own associated chambers and sanctuaries.
On the eastern side of the temple, the crocodile god Sobek (Suchos/Seth) is honored with his wife who is here named as Hathor and their son Khonsu. On the west side, Haroeris or ‘Horus the Elder’ (Harwer) is accompanied by his wife Hathor-ta-sent-nefert and their son Panebtawy (Lord ofthe Two Lands). It is likely that there were also two separate priesthoods who tended the deities. The temple is atypical because everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis.
The main entrance pylon has now been destroyed, but entering the Temple from the eastern side, where there is an ancient gate built by Ptolemy XII (Neos Dionysus), who was the father of Cleopatra VII.
The main part of the temple was probably begun by Ptolemy VI Philometor, as his is the earliest name recorded. The first hypostyle hall,behind typical Ptolemaic pillars and screen walls, has ornate floral columns with well-preserved ritual scenes on the walls.
Three antechambers behind the second hypostyle are almost destroyed, but led to the twin sanctuaries of Sobek and Haroeris, with their associated cult chambers on either side. Between the two sanctuaries was a hidden chamber thought to be where the priest acting as the ‘Oracle’ would be concealed.
In the centre of the opposite wall is an unusual false door showing both Sobek and Haroeris with their cult sceptres. Sobek’s sign of power is a lion-headed wand, while Haroeris has a curious knife with legs. In the false door there is an oracle niche with ‘hearing ears’ and ‘sacred eyes’,through which the priests would deliver oracles to the people waiting outside the main part of the temple. Above them the winged goddess Ma’at, holds up the sky. Throughout the temple the two gods share cosmic power on an equal basis,each in their own side of the central axis.
Back in the forecourt to the right of the temple entrance is a small chapel of Hathor where those who are not too squeamish can see the stored remains of a mummified crocodile and some clay crocodile coffins, which were excavated from a nearby animal cemetery. Crocodiles, which were sacred to Sobek, were thought to be bred in a small pool on the western side of the temple. Here you can also see remains of a very deep well with a circular staircase and a Nilometer. A remains of a birth-house is situated at the northwest corner beyond the wall of the court and a portal of Ptolemy VII is at the northeast corner.