colossus of memnon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Very Low Frequency, Specialized)Academic, historical, artistic, literary, travel writing.
Quick answer
What does “colossus of memnon” mean?
Two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood in the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor, Egypt, for approximately 3,400 years.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood in the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor, Egypt, for approximately 3,400 years.
A term symbolizing a colossal, ancient monument; a massive, enduring structure of great antiquity, often associated with historical mystery, the passage of time, or the lost grandeur of an empire. It is often used metaphorically to describe anything of immense, ancient, and awe-inspiring size or significance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Connotes history, archaeology, and classical studies in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, found in similar academic and cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “colossus of memnon” in a Sentence
[to visit/see/photograph] the Colossus of MemnonThe Colossus of Memnon [stands/is located/remains]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Frequent in Egyptology, art history, archaeology, and classical studies texts discussing ancient monuments, Amenhotep III's reign, or Greco-Roman accounts of Egypt.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be mentioned in travel blogs or documentaries about Egypt.
Technical
Used in archaeology and historical conservation to describe the specific statues, their construction, damage (earthquake of 27 BCE), and Roman-era restoration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “colossus of memnon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “colossus of memnon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “colossus of memnon”
- Incorrect: 'Colossus Memnon' (missing 'of'). Incorrect: 'The Memnon Colossus of' (word order). Incorrect pluralization: 'Colossuses of Memnon' (the standard term is singular for the pair).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it refers to a pair of two massive seated stone statues. The singular name is used for the monument as a whole.
After an earthquake damaged them, the northern statue was believed to emit a sound at dawn. Ancient Greek visitors associated this with Memnon, a hero from the Trojan War who was slain by Achilles and whose mother, Eos (Dawn), mourned him. They named the statues after him.
They are located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the modern city of Luxor, in the Theban Necropolis, guarding the entrance to what was Amenhotep III's mortuary temple.
No. The sound, likely caused by temperature changes expanding moisture in cracks, stopped after the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus had the damaged upper section of the statue repaired around 199 CE.
Two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have stood in the Theban Necropolis, near Luxor, Egypt, for approximately 3,400 years.
Colossus of memnon is usually academic, historical, artistic, literary, travel writing. in register.
Colossus of memnon: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌlɒs.əs əv ˈmem.nɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌlɑː.səs əv ˈmem.nɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like the Colossus of Memnon, he sat in silent judgement.”
- “A decision of Colossus of Memnon proportions (very weighty and ancient-seeming).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COLOSSAL MEMory-NON-stop lasting 3400 years – the COLOSSUS OF MEMNON.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A STATUE / ENDURANCE IS MASSIVE STONE / HISTORY IS A RUINED GIANT.
Practice
Quiz
The Colossus of Memnon is primarily associated with which pharaoh?