The
Small Temple at Abu Simbel is dedicated to
Hathor and Ramesses II’s chief wife,
Nefertari. Carved into the façade
are six colossal statues, four of Ramesses
II and two of Nefertari, each measuring 10
m (33 ft) in height. Some of the king’s
children, represented on a smaller scale,
are shown flanking the legs of the royal
couple.
The
main hall contains six pillars, whose inward-facing
surfaces are decorated with heads of the
goddess Hathor in relief. In a vestibule
off the hall is an unusual scene showing
Queen Nefertari being crowned by the goddesses
Isis and Hathor. At the back of the temple
is a sanctuary with a niche containing a
rock-cut statue of the goddess Hathor in
the form of a cow emerging from her mountain,
protecting a small statue of Ramesses II.
In this sanctuary, the relief decoration
depicts Nefertari paying homage to Nut and
Hathor, and Ramesses II worshipping his queen
and himself as a deified king.
Back
to Abu Simbel Main Page
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The
Small Temple of Nefertari
(SCA Archives) |
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The
façade of the Small Temple
(Kenneth Garrett)
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