☰Temple of Hathor, Dendera

The Temple of Hathor at Dendera is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt, built largely by the Ptolemies (323–20 BC) and completed in the early Roman period. The main building stands virtually intact, and the walls and ceilings of the outer and inner hypostyle halls, the sanctuary rooms, the crypt, and the rooftop suites are carved with highly detailed relief scenes — many of them remarkably untouched after more than 2,000 years. On the outside of the rear wall, a large relief shows Cleopatra with her son by Julius Caesar, Ptolemy XV (Caesarion). The site is about 60 km north of Luxor and makes an excellent full-day excursion.