- The Labyrinth was located at Thebes (Luxor) in Egypt and was adjacent to the Pyramid of Hawara. No remains exist today.
- This is not the same Labyrinth that housed the Minotaur in Greek Mythology.
Description
- Built by the Pharaoh Amenemhet III (1817-1772 BCE) who also built the Bahr Yussef Canal from the Nile to feed Lake Moeris.
- It was the largest structure in the Ancient World.
- Herodotus described the Labyrinth as a square structure, 15-20 cubits above ground and 1000 cubits on each side (over 1000 feet), with 1500 rooms above ground and 1500 rooms below. It had a 250 feet high Pyramid at one end.
- The Labyrinth was one of the top sites to visit in Egypt on the Roman Grand Tour.
- It was the Tomb complex of the twelve Kings of Upper Egypt
Sources
- Herodotus, Pliny the Elder, Strabo all described it as a feat of engineering equal to the Pyramids.
Thebes (Luxor) in Egypt