Colossi of Memnon, Thebes, Egypt, c. 1880s. Antonio Beato (English, born Italy, about 1835 - 1906). Albumen silver print. The Colossi of Memnon (Arabic: el-Colossat?? or es-Salamat) are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during the Dynasty XVIII. For the past 3,400 years (since 1350 BC), they have stood in the Theban Necropolis, located west of the River Nile from the modern city of Luxor.