Karnak describes a vast
conglomerate of ruined temples, chapels
and other buildings of various dates.
The name Karnak comes from the nearby
village of el-Karnak. Whereas Luxor to
the south was Ipet-rsyt, Karnak was
ancient Ipet-isut, perhaps the most
select of Places. Theban kings and the
god Amun came to prominence at the
beginning of the Middle Kingdon. From
that time, the temples of Karnak were
built, enlarged, torn down, added to,
and restored for more than 2000 years.
The
ancient Egyptians considered Ipet-Isut
as the place of the majestic rising of
the first time, where Amun-Ra made the
first mound of earth rise from Nun. At
Karnak, the high priests recognized a
king as the beloved son of Amun, king of
all the gods. The coronation and
jubilees were also held here. Staffed by
more than 80,000 people under Ramesses
III, the temple was also the
administrative center of enormous
holdings of agricultural land.
from the site touregypt
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/karnak.htm
