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Abu
Simbel |
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| The first, and
largest of the temples, is dedicated to the sun god Ra-Harakhte, while
the second, which is smaller, and a few metres to the north, was dedicated
by Ramses II to his beautiful wife, Nefertari, to be worshipped together
with other deities. These two temples attracted world-wide attention
when they were threatened by inundation by the waters of the High
Dam. In response to an appeal by the Arab Republic of Egypt, UNESCO,
in 1959, initiated an international donations campaign to save the
monuments of Nubia, the relics of the oldest human civilization. The
salvage of the Abu Simbel temples began in 1963, and cost some 36
million dollars. Once again the Abu Simbel temples were relocated
on the plateau to greet the sunrise every morning. |
| The
Greater Abu Simbel Temple (Ramses II) |
| One of the many
relics erected by the Pharaoh Ramses II, this is the grandest and
most beautiful of temples. The facade is 33 metres high, and 38 metres
broad, and guarded by for statues of Ramses II, each of which is 20
metres high.High on the facade, there is a carved row of baboons,
smiling at the sunrise. On the doorway of the temple, there is a beautiful
inscription of the king's name: Ser-Ma'at-Ra and between the legs
of the colossal statues on the facade, we can see smaller statues
of RamseS Il's family: his mother "Mut-tuy", his wife "Nefertari"
and his sons and daughters.There are also a number of dedications,
important amongst which is Ramses Il's marriage to the daughter of
the King of the Hittites. Beyond their entrance, there is the Great
Hall of Pillars, with eight pillars bearing the deified Ramses II
in the shape of Osiris.The walls of this hall bear inscriptions r
cording the Battle of Kadesh waged by RamseS II against the Hittites.Then
we enter the smaller hall of the temple - the hall of the nobles,
containing four square pillars.Then we come to the Holiest of Holies,
where we Amun-Ra find four statues of: Ra-Harakhte, Ptah, Amun-Ra
and King Ramses II.This temple is unique, since the sun shines directly
on the Holiest of Holies two days a year: February 21, the king's
birthday, and October 22, the date of his coronation. |
| The
Smaller Abu Simbel Temple (Nefertari) |
| Located
north of the Greater Temple, this was carved in the rock by Ramses
II and dedicated to the goddess of Love and Beauty, Hathur, and also
to his favourite wife, Nefertari. The Facade is adorned by six statues,
four to Ram ses II and two to his wife Nefertari. The entrance leads
to a hall containing six pillars bearing the head of the goddess,
Hathur.The eastern wall bears inscriptions depicting Ramses II striking
the enemy before Ra-Harakhte and Amun-Ra. Other wall scenes show Ramses
II and Nefertari offering sacrifices to the gods.Beyond this hall,
there is another wall with similar scenes and paintings. Finally,
we reach the Holiest of Holies, where we find the statue of the goddess
Hathur.This is, indeed, a most awesome sight to the visitor; for here
he finds the greatest artificial dome that bears the man-made mountain
behind the Temples of Abu Simbel. |
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