The
dramatic seated statues of Ramesses the Great sit
by the Nile in Nubia, staring sternly at the passersby.
Anyone sailing from Nubia down the Nile knew that
this was the territory of the Pharaoh. Nearby,
in a second rock cut temple, Ramesses and his beloved
Queen Nefertari stride out of the rock face toward
the sun. Abu Simbel was built by Ramesses the Great
in his middle years and includes statues of his
Great Queen Nefertari and some of his chldren.
In contrast, the temple at Philae is a traditional
temple, beautifully situated on an island in the
Nile near Aswan. Philiae dates from Cleopatra's
time and includes a temple dedicated to Hathor.
The Egyptian temples at Philae and Abu Simbel were
rescued from the rising waters of the Nile in the
1960's. Each was situated in the most favorable
setting to accentuate its drama and beauty. The
34 views in Egypt Temples
- Abu Simbel and Philae Screensaver
includes the nighttime light show at Philae.
|