As we move toward the original portions of the temple, we pass two more seated colossi that act as guardians to the inner precincts of the temple. Behind them, you see Amenhotep's Colonnade. This structure stretches 236 feet (72 meters) along the Nile and consists of two rows of seven columns with open papyrus capitals, each approximately 52 feet (16 meters) tall. As you will see, throughout the temple all the interior walls and columns have been been carved with inscriptions: scenes of the Opet festival, the building of the temple, conquered enemies delivering tribute, and great events in the lives of the pharaohs. At the death of Amenhotep III, the walls and columns of the Colonnade were left undecorated. In the normal course of events, his son and successor would have finished construction of the colonnade. But Amenhotep IV chose instead to change his name to Akhenaten, move the capital of Egypt 200 kilometers north, and forbid worship of the ancient gods. It wasn't until Tutankhamun's reign that the engravings on these columns and walls were begun. They were later finished by Horemheb, although interestingly, he had Tutankhamun's name removed, presumably because the boy-king was tainted by association with the Atenist heresy. The relief on both long walls of the colonnade shows the Opet festival activities in detail. They begin on the northwest corner of the walls and stretch all the way around, ending in the northeast corner. For ten days the gods resided at Luxor. The carvings explain the ceremonies that were performed to celebrate the rejuventation of Amun and, therefore, of Pharaoh. The rituals guaranteed that the world order would remain intact for yet another year.