Abu Simbel is a masterpiece. The statues at the entrance are awe inspiring. These statues are the greeting to a jaw dropping interior. This the larger temple of the 2 is dedicated to the king, the hypostyle hall or pronaos is supported by six pillars; in this case, however, they are not Osiris pillars depicting the king, but are decorated with scenes with the queen playing the sinistrum (an instrument sacred to the goddess Hathor), together with the gods Horus, Khnum, Khonsu, and Thoth, and the goddesses Hathor, Isis, Maat, Mut of Asher, Satis and Taweret; in one scene Ramesses is presenting flowers or burning incense.
The capitals of the pillars bear the face of the goddess Hathor; this type of column is known as Hathoric. The bas-reliefs in the pillared hall illustrate the deification of the king, the destruction of his enemies in the north and south (in this scenes the king is accompanied by his wife), and the queen making offerings to the goddess Hathor and Mut.The hypostyle hall is followed by a vestibule, access to which is given by three large doors.
On the south and the north walls of this chamber there are two graceful and poetic bas-reliefs of the king and his consort presenting papyrus plants to Hathor, who is depicted as a cow on a boat sailing in a thicket of papyri.
On the west wall, Ramesses II and Nefertari are depicted making offerings to god Horus and the divinities of the Cataracts — Satis, Anubis and Khnum.
If there is one place that you must see it is Abu Simbel
by Darren Clark
Note : Mr Darren Clark is an regular visitant of Mediterranean archaeological sites . Your opinion is especially significant for me .
Seated statues of Rameses II at entrance to the Great Temple Abu Simbel.
Statues of Nefertari and Ramesses II decorate the exterior of the small Temple at Abu Simbel.
Ramses II Temple at Abu Simbel - Egypt.
