Temple of Amon (page 2 of 3 pages)

Middle to New Kingdom, 12th-22nd Dynasties



Outside the hypostyle hall--the south side

The text of a peace treaty between Ramses II and the Hittites is engraved on one of the walls.
 

Asian and Libyan prisoners are depicted

Attention to ethnic stereotypes is also seen in the reliefs at Abu Simbel.
 
Two obelisks remain upright, one of four erected by Tuthmosis III and one of two erected by Hatshepsut. The obelisk to the latter (seen below) is, of ancient obelisks, second in height only to the Lateran obelisk in Rome. It was made of Aswan pink granite with the apex once covered with an alloy of silver and gold.
 
 
In the court--the so-called Hall of Records--behind the badly ruined sixth pylon, there are two pink granite pillars with relief carvings representing Upper and Lower Egypt (lotus for Upper and papyrus for Lower Egypt).

 
Most of the chambers toward the rear of the temple are in ruins. Part of a chamber with elegant clustered papyrus columns still exists.

 
The rear section of the temple was surrounded with a girdle wall.
 

The rear of the temple and distant views from the rear.




Return to page 1.

Click here to go to the Egypt Index.

Click here to return to index of art historical sites.

Click here to return to index of artists and architects.

Click here to return to chronological index.

Click here to see the home page of Bluffton College.


© 2001 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.

Page created by Mary Ann Sullivan