Abu Simbel
 

 

 

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.

The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam. Carved out of a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile, south of Korosko (modern Kurusku), the temples were unknown to the outside world until their rediscovery in 1813 by the Swiss researcher Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. They were first explored in 1817 by the early Egyptologist Giovanni Battista Belzoni. The 66-foot (20-metre) seated figures of Ramses are set against the recessed face of the cliff, two on either side of the entrance to the main temple. Carved around their feet are small figures representing Ramses' children, his queen, Nefertari, and his mother, Muttuy (Mut-tuy, or Queen Ti). Graffiti inscribed on the southern pair by Greek mercenaries serving Egypt in the 6th century BC have provided important evidence of the early history of the Greek alphabet. The temple itself, dedicated to the sun gods Amon-Re and Re-Horakhte, consists of three consecutive halls extending 185 feet (56 meters) into the cliff, decorated with more figures of the king and with painted reliefs showing his life and achievements. It was built so that, on two days of the year (about February 22 and October 22), the first rays of the morning sun would penetrate its whole length and even illuminate the shrine in its innermost sanctuary.

Abu Simbel is one of the most beautiful and certainly the most unusual and majestic temples in Egypt. It is considered a Nubian temple, built in the heart of Nubian territory, near the present day border of Sudan. The temple was dedicated to the triad Amon-Ra, Harmakes, and Ptah and was built by and to glorify Ramesses II. Most likely it was built to impress the Nubians, ward off potential enemies, or show the power of Ramses II, the great builder. The facade, 38 meters long and 31 meters high was carved into the mountain. Four colossal seated statues of Ramses II replace the supporting column of the facade, and other statues are sculptured between the legs of each colossus. They represent various members of the royal family including Nefertari, wife of Ramses II. On the bases and side of the chairs Negro and Asiatic prisoners are shown. Abu Simbel, with the help of the United States and UNESCO, was moved onto higher ground when the Aswan Dam was built. Amazingly, they were able to cut the facade in pieces from the mountain and reconstruct onto a man-made mountain and have placement within 1/4 of an inch.

 

 

Statues of Ramses II at the entrance