The Hypostyle Hall represents the "glory of ancient Egyptian architecture" not simply because of its structural representation but more especially, in totality it encompasses artistic organization of temple ritual; is the place of the Procession gathering, performance and departure beyond the temple or towards the Sanctuary for the day's ritual performance. It is where kings come to be crowned and make endowments to the deity and temple; and clearly a dividing line between the sacred and profane worlds. It is the room that entrances the Wadjit area immediately before the Sanctuary, not to mention the flair of the colonnade as a billboard for Pharaonic Cartouches and other forms of decoration. No less significant, there is a calming, esoteric, mystical aura and vitalizing energy there in this "God's living room," knowing he is "Just Beyond." The Table of Contents reads: Introduction: The Hypostyle Hall; What is the Hypostyle Hall; The Hypostyle Hall as Imperial Architecture; Religious Poetry in Motion; Middle and New Kingdom Temple Builders and Their Works; Queen Hatshepsut Ma'at-Ka-Ra of the 18th Dynasty; Senmut - Queen Hatshepsut's Architect; Senmut's Praise of Queen Hatshepsut; Hypostyle Hall in Later Periods of Greco-Roman Temples, and a Conclusion. It is well-known, the Hypostyle Hall is a room with varied numbers of pillars or columns under a roofed area. The Peristyle, on the other hand, generally in a Court encompasses columns going around but no roof is involved. Some Courts, however, have a roofed Ambulatory between the colonnade and the retaining wall.

Nevertheless, an interesting observation reveals changes in orientation and number in the Hypostyle Hall during the 18th, 19th, 20th Dynasties and Graeco-Roman Periods. In the 18th Dynasty Karnak, Luxor and Deir el Bahari, each has 1 hall with different numbers of columns displaying various capitals; in the 19th Dynasty there are 1 at Abu Simbel; 2 at Abydos by Seti and 2 Octastyle (8 pillar) Halls of Rameses II at Abydos, 2 at Kurneh and 3 at the Ramesseum. Medinet Habu has 2 Hypostyle Halls. The Graeco-Roman structures are different with 2 at Dendera, 2 at Kom Ombo, and 1 at Philae. These Hypostyle Halls, therefore, serve a profound function that is not simply decorative, graphic and structure, but philosophical and spiritual, designed to support the religious nature of the temple in totality which is protection and ritual and worship of the resident deity. All this notwithstanding, the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, the quintessential such structure, is truly the "Great Glory" that characterizes Egyptian architecture in its profound majestic and awesome beauty. Nevertheless, any miniscule faults that represent the work does not, however, diminish its elegance. The size, prolific decoration, number of cartouches of pharaohs scattered throughout, images of divinities on display therein, ritual representation on the walls and variety of column size are all features that makes this stupendous work of art the memorable architectural museum and historic testament to glorifying God reflective of the enduring human creativity, that it is.

Dr. Fred Monderson is an African-American historian, Egyptologist and retired College Professor and New York City educator who taught American History and Government in the Middle and High Schools of New York City as well as African History at the City University of New York. A frequent visitor to Egypt and a prolific columnist in NYC's Black Press, he can be contacted for speaking engagements (SuMon Publishers, PO Box 11216, Brooklyn, New York 11216) and book sales, (be surprised, Amazon.com. Monderson) as well as Trips to Egypt. Nostrand Travel (718) 756-5300.