Abu Simbel Inscriptions and the Legacy of Ramses II

Deep within Nubia, near the southern border of Egypt, stand the ruins of one of the most impressive ancient constructions – the rock-hewn temples of Abu Simbel. Hewn out of the rock at the mouth of a cave on the west bank of the Nile, in the twelfth century BC, this quadruple hall temple complex was built by the great pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty, Ramses II (r. 1279-1213), and his wife Nefertari.

Not only the colossal size of the rock-hewn statues and the breathtaking scale of the construction project itself, but the very purpose of the complex in the ancient world has long been subject of research and fascination for historians and archaeologists. Indeed, the walls, pillars, the hypostyle hall, and even the sheer rock faces of the temples of Abu Simbel bear extensive hieroglyphic inscriptions and reliefs. These are the incredibly valuable primary sources for the modern scholars who seek to understand the military, diplomatic, and theological achievements of the great warrior king and the ancient Egyptian empire in general.

1. Imperial Geography: Border Control and Religious Power

It is not a coincidence that the great temple complex of Abu Simbel was built in Nubia, at the very edge of the ancient Egyptian empire. The choice of this location for carving out the temple complex could be explained from both military and religious perspectives.

A. Marking the Border

Nubia was extremely important for the economy of ancient Egypt as it was the primary source of gold, ivory, exotic animals, and hardwood. Consequently, the construction of the temple complex could be seen as an assertion of royal power in Nubia to guarantee the steady supply of resources and prevent tribal raids on Egyptian settlements. Perhaps, it was the intention of Ramses II to use the imposing structures as the royal heraldry on the edge of the empire, proclaiming the divine right of the Pharaoh to rule both worlds. The placement of the complex deep in Nubia also served as a reminder to the people of Nubia and the surrounding tribes that the land belonged to the Egyptian king.

B. The Living King as God

In contrast to the traditional ancient Egyptian beliefs concerning the status of the king, Ramses II claimed to be not only a living god but the father of gods. It was the message to the people of Nubia and the surrounding nations that the Pharaoh ruled both the earth and the heavens, and it was sacrilegious to oppose his will. The first of the four statues in the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple depicts Ptah, the creator god, and the other three show Ra-Horakhty, Amun-Ra, and Ramses II himself seated on the throne, equal in status to the gods of Egypt.

2. Military Achievements and Propaganda

The hieroglyphic texts that span the walls of the Great Temple’s first hypostyle hall contain a wealth of information concerning the military career of Ramses II. In particular, the great pharaoh’s propaganda-relief masterpiece was dedicated to the military confrontation with the Hittite king Muwatalli II in Syria, better known as the Battle of Kadesh.

A. Textual Programs

On the northern walls of the Great Temple, there are extensive hieroglyphic texts that narrate the events of this famous battle and were composed by the king’s Viziers. There are two literary genres of these textual programs, which were characteristic of the Ramesside period:

The Bulletin – a precise historical narrative describing the stages of the battle and its aftermath. It recounts how the Hittite spies among the Shasu tribes tricked the Egyptian scouts with false information concerning the location of the enemy. The text describes the detailed laying out of the troops of the division of Amun and the events leading to the Battle of Kadesh.

The Poem – a heroic lay that celebrates the valiant deeds of Ramses II and the assistance rendered to him by his gods. It describes how the pharaoh heroically stood his ground against the Hittite warriors, who managed to surround his troops with five hundred and fifty chariots of war.

B. Visual Programs

In addition to the textual programs that narrate the story of the battle, the walls of the Great Hall have extensive visual programs. These pictorial depictions served as an accompanying narrative to the texts and illustrated scenes from the battle. The masterful carvings show:

The camp of the Egyptian Army – soldiers making camp and preparing food, harnessing horses, and caring for the military lions within the enclosure formed by the pharaoh’s bodyguards.

The interrogation of the Hittite spies and the battle – the soldiers beating the Hittites and Nubians, the attacks of three-man Hittite chariots and two-man Egyptian ones, the arrival of the Ne’arin (elite task force of the Egyptian Army).

Counting the spoils – Egyptian scribes counting the hands and weapons of the enemy soldiers who had fallen in battle.

3. Diplomatic Achievements: Marriage and Peace

While the first texts and pictures in the Great Temple narrate the events of the Battle of Kadesh and illustrate the prowess of the Egyptian king and his army, the latter part of it recounts the famous peace deal between Egypt and the Hittites. The main point of this historical episode was that, after decades of hostilities, the Hittite king sent his daughter to marry Ramses II, thus establishing a lasting alliance between Egypt and the Hittite Empire.

A. The Marriage Stela

This military-political event was commemorated by the famous Marriage Stela located on the south wall of the Great Temple. It was composed during the thirty-fourth year of the reign of Ramses II (circa 1245 BC) and narrates the journey of Hittite princess from her homeland to Egypt. Her path was long and perilous, through both the snow-covered mountains and the dry deserts. This journey was made even more difficult by the fact that some of the escorts had fought the Egyptians before. Nevertheless, it appears that even the weather favored the young princess, as the stormy skies cleared up over the Nile, as it was willed by Ptah. The great god’s blessing contributed to the general prosperity and happiness of the newlyweds and the entire land of Egypt.

B. The Stela of the Blessing of Ptah

The Stela of the Blessing of Ptah, carved out on the rock face separating the two temples, also bears testimony to the military-political success of Ramses II and his peaceful intentions toward the neighboring countries. It took the form of a dialogue between Ptah and the pharaoh, in which the creator god praised the king for his victories and eternal glory. In particular, Ptah predicted that the foreign lands from the Aegean to the boundaries of Nubia would bring their riches as offerings to the King of Egypt.

4. The Small Temple: Love and the Role of Queen Nefertari

The Small Temple, dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love, beauty, and joy, and Queen Nefertari, serves as a symbolic counterpoint to the Great Temple. It has long been suggested that this temple complex was built to honor the memory of Queen Nefertari. This conclusion is based on the fact that there are six colossal standing statues on the facade of the Small Temple. While four of them depict Ramses II, the two other show Nefertari, the Queen of Egypt, carved at the same scale as the king’s. It appears that Nefertari played a significant role in the spiritual life of the royal family and the country in general, as the statues show her actively participating in the rituals along with other gods.

A. The Queens’ Temple and its Unique Architecture

It has also been remarked that the Small Temple presents one of the few examples of the queens’ involvement in the construction of public buildings throughout the history of Ancient Egypt. The great temple complex of Abu Simbel demonstrates the high status and power of Nefertari – the most beloved wife of Ramses II. She was one of the most prominent priestesses of Mut, the mother goddess of Egypt, who had great influence on her husband and the country. This is reflected in the reliefs and hieroglyphs of the Small Temple, as well as the statues on its facade. In particular, Ramses II carved a wonderful dedication over the entrance to the Small Temple: “A monument built by the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Ramses II, for the Great Royal Wife Nefertari, Beloved of Mut, for whom the sun shines.” The interior decoration of the Small Temple reflects the high status of the queen and her role in the society. The reliefs depict Nefertari, who participates in the rites of Hathor with sistrums.

Conclusion

The temples of Abu Simbel and their colossal statues are a prime example of the royal power and the military, diplomatic, and theological achievements of the ancient pharaohs. By analyzing the hieroglyphs carved on the walls of the stone temples, the modern scholars uncovered a wealth of information about the history of the ancient Egyptian empire and its culture. Some of the most important historical sources include the visual and textual programs that narrate the story of the reign of Ramses II, beginning from the great battles and ending with the peace deals with the neighboring states. They also highlight the high status of the gods and their role in the lives of Ancient Egyptians, as well as the importance of the queens of Egypt and their contribution to the glory of the country and the pharaohs.

All these elements were carefully chiseled into the rock faces to live for eternity and remind future generations of the military power and cultural achievements of the ancient rulers. Even after being buried under sediments for centuries or painstakingly removed in pieces to a safer location hundreds of miles away, they still continue to tell their stories to the modern people.