ED'FOU (Coptic, Atbil ; Egypt. Hut; anc. Apollinopolis Magna), a t. of upper Egypt, is situated on the left bank of the Nile, in lat. 25° n., and long. 32° 45' east. It contains the remains of two temples, which are considered the finest remains of antiquity in Egypt. The larger of these temples was eommeuced by Ptolemaeus Philometor 181 B. C., but does not appear to have been completed till the reign of Claudius. There appears, however, to have been a temple there in the reign of Thothmes III. Its length is about 400 ft., its breadth 150. Its entrance is by a gateway 50 ft. high, between two immense truncated pylones, 37 ft. wide at the base, and 114 ft. high. These are adorned with masterly sculptures. Passing through this entrance, the court is reached; it is 161 ft. long, and 140 ft. wide, inclosed by a splendid colonnade of 32 pillars, each differing in design, and surrounded by walls, between which and the pillars there is a stone roof, forming a covered portico. The interior of this court is to a great extent filled up with rubbish, and occupied by wretched dwellings, many of which also are built upon the roof of the temple. Within the temple, there are several chambers, one of which,
about 33 ft. by 17, contained the image of the deity; in it was also a zodiac. The effect of the whole is grand and imposing, impressing the mind with the harmony and perfect beauty of the design. An inscription on the outer wall recorded the endowment of the temple by Ptolemy Alexander I., and Darius, Neetanebo, and Nectanebes II. The smaller temple, erected by Physcon and Lathyrus, consists only of two chambers. Its walls are covered with hieroglyphics representing the life of Horus, the son of Kneph and Athor, who were worshiped in the great temple. These temples have been lately entirely cleared by Marlette. E. has at present a population of about 2,000. Its manufactures are blue cotton cloths, and earthenware similar to the ancient Egyptian pottery.—Wilkinson, Modern Egypt, p. 274; Brugsch, Reiseberielste, p. 225; tepsius, Egypt and Ethiopia, p. 117.