Ancient Egypt
Abu Simbel
Ramesses II built seven temples. The most impressive was the Sun Temple. Built between 1301-1235 BC, it was dedicated to four universal gods: Ptah, Re-Harakhte, Amun-Re, and to Ramesses II himself.
The main temple is 108 feet high and 125 feet wide. The four seated statues are about 65 feet high and were carved from solid rock.
Notice the carving above the doorway behind the four statues. It is of the god Re-Horakhte. He has the sun disk on his head and is wearing the falcon mask of Horus.
The smaller statues at the feet of the four main ones are of Ramesses's wives and children:
Queen Nofretari
Prince Amenhirkhopshef
the Kings mother Muttuya
Princess Bent'anta
probably Esenofre
Princess Nebettawy
Queen Muttuya
Princess Nofretari
Princess Merytamun
Princess Beketmut
Prince Ri'amsese
Queen Nofretari
The entrance leads into a Grand Hall which is 57 feet high and 52 feet wide and was cut from the rock. Inside there are 8 huge pillars. Each pillar is a statue of Rameses dressed as Osiris.
The reliefs on the north wall of the Grand Hall show scenes from the Battle of Kadesh. Other walls depict the king slaughtering captives in front of the gods Amun-Re and Re-Harakhte, and storming a fortress with his three sons.
Twice a year around February 20-22nd and October 20-22nd the rays of the sun enter the front of the temple and shine on the statues inside.
A smaller temple was also built at Abu Simbel. It was dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Nefertari, the favorite wife of Ramesses II. Both temples were dug in the Nubian sandstone cliff.
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