Abu Simbel

We got up at 1:30 in the morning to take a flight from Cairo to Aswan, where we then boarded a coach to drive to Abu Simbel to see two very famous temples. One for Ramses II primarily is dedicated to Re-Harakhte and the other to his wife Nefertari dedicated to Hathour. Ramses II was over 6 feet tall, had over 200 wives and concubines, and 156 children. He was viewed as a great warrior, fighting many battles, his reputation as a warrior was enhanced by the battle of Kadesh against the Hittites. He lived from 1303-1213 BCE. His 66 year reign is considered to be the height of Egypt’s power and glory. He erected more monuments and statues than any other pharaoh. Given the dates that he lived, he is not the pharaoh of the Bible.

The group
Inside the temple. The wing goddess depicted on the ceiling is Isis. She is a major goddess, and was believed to help the dead travel to the afterlife.
Ramses II coronation name which reads User-Maat Setup-en-Ra meaning the Maat of Ra is powerful, chosen of Ra.
The name he was born with, was Ramessu-Mery-Amun, born of Re, beloved of a Amun.
Ramses consider himself a mighty warrior, and here he is depicted killing a Hittite.
Nefertari’s Temple. The entrance has four statues of Ramses, and two of Nefertari in spite of it being her temple.
The goddess depicted on the right, and the left is Hathour, the goddess of love, music, and happiness. Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the goddess or person in the middle. It could be Nefertari.

The Temples lit up at night.

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