Great Temples

Great Temples

The world beyond

Many pharaohs temples to be constructed for themselves as well as for the gods. Some of the temples were attached to pharaohs' tombs, erected in separate places or added to other buildings such as the one at Karnak. Temple complexes included huge statues, soaring columns, school rooms, storehouses and workshops, and spacious gardens. By the time Ramesses II came to power in 1290 B.C., many magnificent monuments had already been built throughout ancient Egypt. He added several others during his reign of more than 60 years. The most impressive one was at Abu Simbel in the Nubian desert. The laborers chipped away the side of a hill to make the south front and then hollowed out a vast space behind it for the Interior. Hatshepsut, Amenophis III, Sethos I and Ramesses III were also great temple builders. 

The colossi of Memnon: Two colossal stone statues are all that remain of Amenophis III's monument on the Nile's west bank.

The temple of Hatshepsut: Hatshepsut ordered her great temple to be built on the west bank of the Nile. Sloping ramps connected terraces that jutted out from the rocky backdrop on three levels. Bu the end of the nineteenth century, little remained except a pile of rubble and sand.

Colored Columns: The temple of the goddess Isis stands on the island of Philae. When this lithograph was made in 1846, some color still remained on the columns in the hall.

On a grand scale: Massive granite statues of Ramesses II stood inside and outside his temple at Abu Simbel. A single foot was taller than an adult. Shallow reliefs, carved on the north and south walls, record Ramesses II's battle victories.

Did you know? Twice a year, the shadow interior of Ramesses II's temple is pierced by the rays of the rising sun, which illuminate the four statues in the temple's sanctuary.

Rescuing Abu Simbel: When the Aswan Dam was built across the River Nile in the 1960s, it created Lake Nasser. Many of the Nubian temples were moved to prevent them from being flooded.

Egyptian God. Photo by Elena.