219: Abu Simbel, Ramesses' Great Temple

Holy mountain. Around 1286 BCE, builders started work at Abu Simbel. Sacred to a local form of Horus, this sandstone mountain would become one of the most famous monuments in the Nile Valley. It was called the “House of Ramesses, Beloved of Amun,” and provided a home for dozens of deities. Within, sunlight illuminated its sanctuary on certain days, and the King could honour himself in a “Temple of Millions of Years.” Thanks to some lesser-known records, we explore the function and creation of this renowned shrine, and try to answer some nagging questions...

I’ll do a Livestream about Abu Simbel soon. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn more https://www.youtube.com/@dominicperryae

Epilogue: Around 593 BCE, soldiers of Psamtik II (or Psammetichus) marched to war in Nubia. Along the way, they visited Abu Simbel...

Music by Luke Chaos.

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