The temples of Abu Simbel (around 1250 B.C)

The temples of Abu Simbel, Egypt (around 1250 B.C)

Photographs by Jan Smith

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Preview Picture Description
Overview of Large Temple (left) and Temple of Hathor or Small temple(right)
Facade of the large temple, in theory dedicated to Amon-Ra, Harmakis and Ptah but in practice it was constructed for the greater glory of its builder, Pharaoh Ramses II.
Facade of the large temple.
The facade consists of 4 colossal statues of the pharaoh seated on his throne. Each statue is 20 m high. The figures next to the legs represent various wifes and children of the Pharao.
Statue entitled the beloved of Amon. Queen Nefertari is standing next to the throne of Ramses II. The engraving depicts the nile god Hapy tying the waterplants of upper and lower Egypt the lotus and papyrus together around a trachea with lungs as symbol for the unification of upper and lower Egypt.
The god Re-Herachte. Ramses II, depicted to his left and right, offers a statue of the godess Maat, as symbol for the offerings in the temple to promote the cosmic order.
Statues of the king in Osiride posture on the north side of the hall wearing the double crown representing Lower Egypt ( Region of Egypt usually considered to include the Nile delta and valley that lie roughly north of Cairo (north of latitude 30 degrees North). A rich, fertile region, it was united with Upper Egypt by Egyptian king Menes (c3100 BC). In ancient times it was symbolized by a red crown and papyrus plant.)
Statue of the king in Osiride posture on the south side of the hall wearing the white crown representing Upper Egypt ( Region of Egypt, including the entire Nile River valley south of latitude 30 degrees N to Egypts southern border. In ancient times it was a separate kingdom and was united with Lower Egypt by King Menes (c3100 BC). )
Ramses II kills enemies for Reherachte. Below this scene the 9 daughters of the pharao are depicted. Also interesting to know, this is one of the few signed Egyptian pieces of art. The artist who made this is Meri-Amon Piyay, son of Chanefer.
In the sanctury the statues of the gods Ptah, Amun-Ra, the deified Ramses II, and Re-Horakhte (from left to right) are found. The temple's orientation is arranged in such a way that twice every year, on 22 February and 22 October, the earliest sun-rays shine exactly through the entrance on the back wall of this chamber, illuminating from right to left and one by one the statues of the gods for a few moments. Only the statue of Ptah the god of darkness is not illuminated.
Facade of the Temple of Hathor or Small temple dedicated to the Godess Hathor and his favorite wife Nefertari. This was the first and last time that the wife of a pharao was depicted on the facade of a temple.
Entrance of the small temple.
Innerview of the small temple.
The pillars in the small temple are decorated with pictures of the Godess Hathor. Hathor was a goddess of many things, among them she was:
  • Celestial goddess: The Mistress of Heaven
  • Goddess of love, music and beauty: the Goddess of Love, Cheerfulness, Music, and Dance,
  • Goddess of women, firtility, children and childbirth: The Mother of Mothers, the Celestial Nurse,
  • Goddess of destruction and drunkeness: The Vengeful Eye of Ra, the Lady of Drunkeness,
  • Goddess of the dead: Lady of the West


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This page is created by Jan Smith. If you want to have some information about this site please send me an e-mail.

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