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The Colossi of Memnon are two giant statues that were part of the ruined mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, which was the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis. The mortuary temple of Amenhotep III, also known as Kom El Hettan, was built by the famous architect Amenhotep, son of Hapu. The temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 27 BC. The statues have inscriptions in Greek and Latin from the Roman era that refer to the Greek mythological King Memnon, whom the statue was erroneously thought to represent. Memnon was a King of Ethiopia and the hero of the Trojan War who was slain by the Greek champion Achilles.
The two statues are made of sandstone and depict Amenhotep III seated, with his hands on his knees and his gaze forward. Alongside his legs, two shorter figures are carved into the front throne: his wife, Tiye and mother, Mutemwiya. Hapi, the Nile god, is depicted on the side panels. Both statues are quite damaged. It is believed that they were originally identical, with the exception of some inscriptions that may have differed. Originally, the aim of the statues was to guard the temple's entrance.