Nefertari's Temple of Hathor
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Hathor was the wife
of the Sun God so in a symbolic way, the two Temples, that of
Ramesses II and that of Nefertari, brings Ramesses II and
Nefertari and Hathor and the Sun God together as one. The facade
of the temple is a receding Pylon, just as the larger temple of
Ramesses II. On either side of the entrance to the temple are a
deified statue of Nefertari with statues of Ramesses II on either
side of her. The statues of Nefertari are the same height as
those of Ramesses, which is unusual. Like at Ramesses II's
temple, there are children depicted around their feet. There are
cobras protecting the Temple door.This temple is much simpler
than the Temple of Re-Herakhte. It has only one hypostyle hall
and the sanctuary. Within the hall are images of Ramesses in
battle with Nefertari present. Other scenes depict Ramesses being
crowned by Horus and Seith and presenting Ma'at to Amun. On the
back wall, Nefertari is before Hathor and Mut. Just behind the
Hypostyle Hall is a small chamber with images of Hathor cow
framed in reeds. Beyond that is the sanctuary with a divine cow
emerging from the rear rock wall protecting Ramesses, below her.
Above the cow, vultures guard the Queens cartouches. Other scenes
show Nefertari offering incense to Mut and Hathor, and the King
worshipping before his own image and that of Nefertari.
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