Art
Which ancient monument consists of two huge statues representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III?
Correct answer The Statues of Ramses II at Abu Simbel
Fact
Did you know?
The Colossi of Memnon are two monumental quartzite statues representing Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated on his throne. Erected around 1350 BCE, they stood at the entrance to his immense mortuary temple on the west bank of Thebes, near present-day Luxor. Each statue rises roughly 18 meters above the ground. Floods, earthquakes and the reuse of building stone largely destroyed the surrounding complex, but the two colossi survived. In the Greco-Roman period, the northern statue became famous for producing a sound around sunrise, probably after earthquake damage. Ancient visitors associated the sound with Memnon, a hero of the Trojan War, which explains the statues’ modern name. Repairs in the Roman period may have ended the phenomenon.
Content last updated · August 14, 2026
