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Closer view of Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses
II
Abu Simbel is a temple built by
Ramses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.E.) in ancient Nubia, where he wished to
demonstrate his power and his divine nature. Four colossal (65
feet/20 meters high) statues of him sit in pairs flanking the entrance.
The head and torso of the statue to the left of the entrance fell during
ancient times, probably the result of an earthquake. This temple faces the
east, and Re-Horakhty, one manifestation of the sun god, is shown inside
the niche directly above the entrance. The facade is 33 meters high and 38 meters wide. It is
guarded by four statues of Ramses II, each of which is 20 meters high.
The head and torso of the statue to the
left of the entrance fell during ancient times, probably the result of an
earthquake. Between the legs of the colossal statues we can see smaller statues of Ramses II 's family: his mother "Mut--tuy", his wife "Nefertari" and his
sons
and daughters. The temple is dedicated to the god Ha-Rakhte (a
form of the sun god Horus, worshipped at Heliopolis). It is seen in a
central niche above the entrance. |