<P> The expansion of funerary monuments began in the reign of Djoser, who built his complex entirely of stone and placed in the enclosure a step pyramid under which he was buried: the Pyramid of Djoser . For the rest of the Old Kingdom, tomb and temple were joined in elaborate stone pyramid complexes . Near each pyramid complex was a town that supplied its needs, as towns would support temples throughout Egyptian history . Other changes came in the reign of Sneferu who, beginning with his first pyramid at Meidum, built pyramid complexes symmetrically along an east--west axis, with a valley temple on the banks of the Nile linked to a pyramid temple at the foot of the pyramid . Sneferu's immediate successors followed this pattern, but beginning in the late Old Kingdom, pyramid complexes combined different elements from the axial plan and from the rectangular plan of Djoser . To supply the pyramid complexes, kings founded new towns and farming estates on undeveloped lands across Egypt . The flow of goods from these lands to the central government and its temples helped unify the kingdom . </P> <P> The rulers of the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055--1650 BC) continued building pyramids and their associated complexes . The rare remains from Middle Kingdom temples, like the one at Medinet Madi, show that temple plans grew more symmetrical during that period, and divine temples made increasing use of stone . The pattern of a sanctuary lying behind a pillared hall frequently appears in Middle Kingdom temples, and sometimes these two elements are fronted by open courts, foreshadowing the standard temple layout used in later times . </P> <P> With greater power and wealth during the New Kingdom (c. 1550--1070 BC), Egypt devoted still more resources to its temples, which grew larger and more elaborate . Higher - ranking priestly roles became permanent rather than rotating positions, and they controlled a large portion of Egypt's wealth . Anthony Spalinger suggests that, as the influence of temples expanded, religious celebrations that had once been fully public were absorbed into the temples' increasingly important festival rituals . The most important god of the time was Amun, whose main cult center, the Precinct of Amun - Re at Karnak in Thebes, eventually became the largest of all temples, and whose high priests may have wielded considerable political influence . </P> <P> Many temples were now built entirely of stone, and their general plan became fixed, with the sanctuary, halls, courtyards, and pylon gateways oriented along the path used for festival processions . New Kingdom pharaohs ceased using pyramids as funerary monuments and placed their tombs a great distance from their mortuary temples . Without pyramids to build around, mortuary temples began using the same plan as those dedicated to the gods . </P>

Where did many of the kings of the new kingdom built their temples