Montu was a falcon-headed deity whose origins date back to the Old Kingdom. During Dynasty XI the god achieved the status of patron of the Theban kings and became associated with war. Several temples to the north and south of Thebes were dedicated to Montu during the Middle Kingdom and added to by pharaohs of later dynasties.
The Temple of Montu at Tod
The village of Tod is on the east bank of the Nile, 20km south of Luxor. Its ancient name was Djerty and Tuphium in classical times. The site of the remaining temple dates back to Userkaf of Dynasty V in the Old Kingdom when there was a local cult of the god Montu here.
The modern entrance is at the rear of the site and the visitor walks first through a magazine store with hundreds of facinating blocks from all periods dating from Old Kingdom to early Christian. A large granite slab from Userkaf’s original shrine can be seen here and there are also some lovely fragments of Middle and New Kingdom reliefs as well as many decorated elements from the early Christian churches on the site.