The two temples of Abu Simbel



 

QUEEN  NEFERTARI

The Temple of Hathor

The Temple of Hathor at Abu Simbel was built by Ramesses II (c.1279-1213 B.C.) to honor both Hathor as the goddess of love and music, and his wife Nefertari as the deified queen.   The facade, resembling a pylon, has six standing colossal (over 33 feet/10 meters high) statues. On each side of the entrance, two statues of Ramesses flank one of Nefertari dressed as Hathor. The colossal statues are, in turn, flanked by smaller statues of their children.

 


 
 
 
 
 
 

Nefertari



 

Ramses II is known to have had many wives, who bore him more than a hundred children, but foremost of all was Nefertari. She is found accompanying the king on many reliefs and statues. Her special place at the king's side is especially visible in Abu Simbel, where she is not only represented on the facade of the Great Temple itself, but where she also had her own sanctuary, the so-called Small Temple of Abu Simbel.


 
 
 
 
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