Temple Building on the Egyptian Margins: The Geopolitical Issues behind Seti II and Ramesses IX’s Activity at Amheida

The excavations at Amheida have uncovered evidence for a town, called Trimithis in Greek, with a long history of habitation, seemingly continuous since ca. 3000 BC. Trimithis was laid out around a temple to the god Thoth, which had been newly built in the reigns of Titus and Domitian, reusing building blocks of earlier temples at the site. From the study of these blocks and their relief decoration, a total of ten building phases have been distinguished, dating between ca. 1200 BC and the second century AD. From the archaeological record a picture of a continuous and peaceful Egyptian domination of Dakhla Oasis emerges that can be followed throughout its history from the early Old Kingdom onwards. However, this picture can be challenged, and the present chapter intends to open the discussion on possible interruptions of Egyptian rule at several moments in its history. The royal building works at the temple of Amheida provide the anchor points for this investigation.