The Mysteries of Abu Simbel Temple

Returning from the Battle of Kadesh, Ramsesses II wished to reinforce the divine character of Pharaoh’s function. He decided a complete architectural program to affirm the glory of the sovereign all over the region. The Egyptian Nubia, South of Aswan, was a little populated place surrounded by deserts. Why did Ramsesses make his decision to erect here several sanctuaries and among them Abu Simbel?

Did the Pharaoh intend to impress Nubian populations or enemies coming from the South? This is only one part of reality, because temples played an important part in maintaining civilization and natural balance. The purpose was to fit in with the divine whose Pharaoh was the representative on Earth, using cults and complicated religious celebrations. 

Abu Simbel was located at the very precise place where on each New Year Day, the floods of the Nile, coming from the heart of Africa, entered Egyptian Nubia. The survival of the country depended on the regularity of the floods. If they were too abundant, they destroyed houses and too weak, provoked famine. The place had thus a highly symbolic and religious meaning. Even if it were remote. The celebration of the new year announced by the star of Isis, Sothis (today Sirius) was one of the major holidays on the Egyptian calendar. The temple had to be majestic showing the grandeur and both terrestrial and mystic power of Ramsesses II and the power of Gods.

Pharaoh and the members of his family were represented in the colossi of the façade dug in the cliff. The interior of the sanctuary was drawn according to a classical plan, that is a room fringed with colossi, corresponding to an open yard, a hypostyle room and the Holy of Holies. Chambers and annex chapels completed the main rooms. On the walls had been engraved reliefs telling the Battle of Kadesh.

At the extremity of the sanctuary, four divinities appeared, sculpted in the rock: Pta, Amon, divinized Ramsesses II and Ra-Horakhty. Twice a year, on February 22 and October 20, the sun beams entered in the axis of the temple, iluminated and revivified the three statues on the right, Ptah the God of the Underworld remained in the shade. Both dates correspond to Pharaoh’s birth and coronation days. In this room was kept Amon’s boat, main divine character of Abu Simbel with Ramsesses.

Two chapels were located to the North and South, one was solar and open, the other one consecrated to Thoth. Later a small temple was dug in the rock of Ibshek, dedicated to the royal spouse Nefertari.  Six colossi of the royal couple adorned the façade and were assimilated to various divinities namely the Floods of the Nile and Sothis. The construction participated in the divine mystery protecting Egypt.

Abu Simbel was forgotten after the long reign of Ramsesses II that lasted 67 years. When the Aswan High Dam was planned, the Nile threatened the temple and Egypt, Sudan and the Unesco decided to save the Nubian vestiges. A campaign of safeguard with enormous human and financial means began. The temple was cut into pieces and rebuilt 65 meters higher. The works lasted 6 years. Two concrete vaults now protect the temple since 1968. 

Abu Simbel Temple of Ramsesses II.

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 Nefertari’s Temple at Abu Simbel.

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Ramesses offering to seated God Ptah, Abu Simbel Temple.

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Baboons above the statue of Ramesses, at the top of Abu Simbel Temple.

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