Egypt: Temples of Abydos

[Egypt 29849] ’Portico of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29849] ’Portico of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ A temple guard is admiring reliefs on the square pillars of the portico of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. On the left we see pharaoh Ramses II, who finished the temple which was begun be his father Seti I. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29851] ’First Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29851] ’First Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ The roof of the First Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is supported by twenty-four papyrus-bud columns. On the right we see the reliefs which adorn the northern end of the west wall, showing two scenes with Ramses II, who finished this temple after the death of his father Seti I. The first scene shows Ramses receiving the double Egyptian crown from Horus. In the second scene Isis presents the royal uraeus snake and a sistrum to Ramses. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29853] ’Second hypostyle hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29853] ’Second hypostyle hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ Sun beams piercing through a clerestory window illuminate the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Below the window we see the entrance to the Chapel of Isis. The hieroglyphs on the right and left adorn the gate which gives access from the First into the Second Hypostyle Hall. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29855] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29855] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ Sun beams piercing through a clerestory window illuminate the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Below the window we see the entrance to the Chapel of Isis. The hieroglyphs on the right and left adorn the gate which gives access from the First into the Second Hypostyle Hall. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29857] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29857] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ A temple guard is admiring one of the thirty-six papyrus-bud columns in the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Behind the columns, in the centre of the picture, we see one of the gates that gives access to the First Hypostyle Hall. The temple was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29859] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29859] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ The roof of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is supported by thirty-six papyrus-bud columns. Behind the columns, in the centre of the picture, we see one of the gates that gives access to the First Hypostyle Hall. The temple was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29861] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29861] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ The roof of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is supported by thirty-six papyrus-bud columns. Here we are looking in the direction of the east wall of the hall. On the far right and left we see two of the gates that give access to the First Hypostyle Hall. The gate on the right is located on the processional alley which leads to the Chapel of Ptah. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[EGYPT 29863] ’Chapel entrances at Abydos.’ Standing at the western end of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, this picture shows the entrances to four of the seven chapels that can be accessed from the hall. The centre of the picture is dominated by the imposing gate to the Chapel of Amun-Ra. To the left of this gate we see subsequently the entrances to the Chapels of Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and (hardly visible) Seti I. At one time wooden doors would have been attached to these stone doorways. In the wall between each of these doorways there is a niche which probably once held a statue of a god. Each niche is decorated with three internal scenes which show Seti making offerings either to the deity to whom the adjoining chapel is dedicated, or to a related deity. Thus, the niche in the foreground shows Seti offering a “nemset” vessel to Mut, the consort of Amun. The niche could also have been used to store sacred scrolls pertaining to the rites which were performed in the adjoining chapel. As the lower part of the niche is without decorations a stash of scrolls wouldn’t have obscured the sacred images on its three walls. To the left of this niche we see Khonsu giving Seti the breath of life. Khonsu is depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the crown of the full and the crescent moon. On the right Isis caresses the king as a child. She says to him: “You are my son, you have come forth from me, I have nursed you, in order to be Ruler of the Two Lands.” The lower register on each side of the niche is decorated with a series of Nile gods, kneeling, hermaphrodite personifications of Egyptian nomes (districts). Each figure is basically male, with the breasts of a woman (symbolizing fecundity), and on its head there is an emblem which indicates the name of the nome. The figures carry food and jars of wine and water which they present to the gods. On the right we see the Upper Egyptian nomes number 6 (with crocodile emblem, region of Dendera) and 7 (with sistrum emblem, region of Hiw). Finally, at the left-hand edge of the picture, framing the temple guard, we see the gate which gives access to the Nefertem-Ptah-Sokar Hall. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29865] ’Seti, Khonsu and Isis at Abydos.’ The west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is decorated with superb reliefs. Here we see a portion of wall that is located between the entrances of the Chapel of Amun-Ra and the Chapel of Osiris. On the left we see Khonsu giving Seti the breath of life, in the form of an “ankh” sign (symbolizing life) flanked by two “was” sceptres (symbols for prosperity). Khonsu is depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the crown of the full and the crescent moon. Khonsu was a protector and healer. On the right Isis caresses the king as a child. She says to him: “You are my son, you have come forth from me, I have nursed you, in order to be Ruler of the Two Lands.” Sitting in the lap of Isis, Seti has taken the role of Horus, Isis’ child. The niche in the centre of the picture at one time probably held a statue of Amun-Ra. The niche is decorated with a scene in which Seti anoints the brow of Amun-Ra with ointment. The niche could also have been used to store sacred scrolls pertaining to the rites which were performed in the adjoining chapel. As the lower part of the niche is without decorations a stash of scrolls wouldn’t have obscured the sacred images on its three walls. The lower register on each side of the niche is decorated with a series of Nile gods, kneeling, hermaphrodite personifications of Egyptian nomes (districts). Each figure is basically male, with the breasts of a woman (symbolizing fecundity), and on its head there is an emblem which indicates the name of the nome. The figures carry food and jars of wine and water which they present to the gods. On the right we see the Upper Egyptian nomes number 6 (with crocodile emblem, region of Dendera) and 7 (with sistrum emblem, region of Hiw). On the left we see the Upper Egyptian nomes number 3 (region near Esna) and 5 (with two falcons emblem, region of Qift). The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29867] ’Seti, Sekhmet and Hathor at Abydos.’ The west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is decorated with superb reliefs. Here we see a portion of wall that is located between the entrances of the Chapel of Ptah and the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. On the left we see the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet clasping hands with Seti and holding the “ankh” sign before the mouth of the king. The sign is entwined in her “menat” necklace. On the right Hathor gives the king the breath of life, in the form of an “ankh” sign (symbolizing life) flanked by two “was” sceptres (symbols for prosperity). The niche in the centre of the picture at one time probably held a statue of either Ptah or Ra-Horakhty. The decoration in the niche shows Seti offering incense to Ra-Horachti. The niche could also have been used to store sacred scrolls pertaining to the rites which were performed in the adjoining chapel. As the lower part of the niche is without decorations a stash of scrolls wouldn’t have obscured the sacred images on its three walls. The lower register on each side of the niche is decorated with a series of Nile gods, kneeling, hermaphrodite personifications of Egyptian nomes (districts). Each figure is basically male, with the breasts of a woman (symbolizing fecundity), and on its head there is an emblem which indicates the name of the nome. The figures carry food and jars of wine and water which they present to the gods. On the right we see the Lower Egyptian nomes number 15 and 13. On the left we see the Lower Egyptian nomes number 10 (with ox emblem) and 4. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29869] ’Seti and Hathor at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29869] ’Seti and Hathor at Abydos.’ This relief shows the goddess Hathor giving pharaoh Seti I the breath of life, in the form of an “ankh” sign (symbolizing life) flanked by two “was” sceptres (symbols for prosperity). Her head is protected by the vulture goddess Nekhbet who spreads her wings over Hathor’s hair. On top of that is a rarely seen crown, consisting of again a vulture, whose wings are protecting two cobras, wearing the crowns of Upper- and Lower-Egypt. The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ptah and the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. For a wider view see picture 29867. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29871] ’Seti in front of Ished tree at Abydos.’ This relief shows a kneeling Seti I presenting his jubilees to Ptah (who is just outside the frame of the picture). On the right we see Ra-Horakhty inscribing the name and the jubilees of the pharaoh on the leaves of the Ished tree. The Ished tree was a sacred tree of which it was thought that the gods wrote the name of the kings at coronation and jubilee festivals, to assure them that their names, and thus their lives, would be perpetuated. The original Ished tree was said to have grown in the temple of Ra at Heliopolis. It can probably be identified as a Desert Date (Balanites aegyptica). The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ptah and the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. A wider view of the scene is provided by photo 29870. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29873] ’Seti and Iousas at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29873] ’Seti and Iousas at Abydos.’ The goddess Iousas is giving pharaoh Seti I the breath of life, in the form of an “ankh” sign (symbolizing life) flanked by two “was” sceptres (symbols for prosperity). Iousas was associated with the creator god Atum. Her nickname “The Hand of Atum” recalls her role, i.e. the hand of Atum with which he masturbated to create the first divine couple, Shu and Tefnut. The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty and the Chapel of Amun. For a wider view see picture 29872. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29850] ’First Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29850] ’First Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ An old temple guard is resting against one of twenty-four papyrus-bud columns in the First Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. The columns are adorned with reliefs of Ramses II, who finished this temple after the death of his father Seti I. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29852] ’The “helicopter inscription” at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29852] ’The “helicopter inscription” at Abydos.’ An architrave which supports the roof of the First Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos is decorated with hieroglyphs in which some recognize modern machines such as a helicopter and a submarine. In fact the glyphs are a result of erosion of the stone surface and recarving to replace some of the original hieroglyphs. The original text was part of the royal titulary of Seti I, the founder of the temple. After the death of Seti, his son Ramses II finished the temple and superimposed his titulary on that of his father. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29854] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29854] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ Sun beams piercing through a clerestory window illuminate the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Below the window we see the entrance to the Chapel of Isis. The hieroglyphs on the right and left adorn the gate which gives access from the First into the Second Hypostyle Hall. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29856] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29856] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ Sun beams piercing through a clerestory window illuminate the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Below the window we see the entrance to the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. The temple was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29858] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29858] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ A temple guard seems to be conversing with an invisible Egyptian deity in the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. Behind the columns, in the centre of the picture, we see one of the gates that gives access to the First Hypostyle Hall. The temple was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29860] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29860] ’Second Hypostyle Hall of Seti I Temple at Abydos.’ A sun beam piercing through a a hole in the roof illuminates the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos. The hall has several of these holes, which are part of the original design to provide lighting. Behind the columns, to the right, we see the entrance to the Chapel of Ptah. The temple was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[Egypt 29862] ’Seti with “nemset” vessel at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29862] ’Seti with “nemset” vessel at Abydos.’ A relief in the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos shows Seti I offering a “nemset” vessel to Ptah (who is outside the frame of the picture). This kind of spouted vase was used to sprinkle water in purification rites. The relief is located on the east wall of the hypostyle hall, bordering the processional alley that leads to the Chapel of Ptah. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Paul Smit.

[EGYPT 29864] ’Chapel entrances at Abydos.’ Standing at the western end of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, this picture shows the entrances to four of the seven chapels that can be accessed from the hall. The centre of the picture is dominated by the imposing gate to the Chapel of Amun-Ra. To the left of this gate we see subsequently the entrances to the Chapels of Ra-Horakhty, Ptah and (hardly visible) Seti I. At one time wooden doors would have been attached to these stone doorways. In the wall between each of these doorways there is a niche which probably once held a statue of a god. Each niche is decorated with three internal scenes which show Seti making offerings either to the deity to whom the adjoining chapel is dedicated, or to a related deity. Thus, the niche in the foreground shows Seti offering a “nemset” vessel to Mut, the consort of Amun. The niche could also have been used to store sacred scrolls pertaining to the rites which were performed in the adjoining chapel. As the lower part of the niche is without decorations a stash of scrolls wouldn’t have obscured the sacred images on its three walls. To the left of this niche we see Khonsu giving Seti the breath of life. Khonsu is depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the crown of the full and the crescent moon. On the right Isis caresses the king as a child. She says to him: “You are my son, you have come forth from me, I have nursed you, in order to be Ruler of the Two Lands.” The lower register on each side of the niche is decorated with a series of Nile gods, kneeling, hermaphrodite personifications of Egyptian nomes (districts). Each figure is basically male, with the breasts of a woman (symbolizing fecundity), and on its head there is an emblem which indicates the name of the nome. The figures carry food and jars of wine and water which they present to the gods. On the right we see the Upper Egyptian nomes number 6 (with crocodile emblem, region of Dendera) and 7 (with sistrum emblem, region of Hiw). Finally, at the left-hand edge of the picture, we see the gate which gives access to the Nefertem-Ptah-Sokar Hall, and beyond that a niche which is located in the south wall of this hall. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29866] ’Isis and the young Seti at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29866] ’Isis and the young Seti at Abydos.’ This relief shows Isis caressing pharaoh Seti I as a child. She says to him: “You are my son, you have come forth from me, I have nursed you, in order to be Ruler of the Two Lands.” Sitting in the lap of Isis, Seti has taken the role of Horus, Isis’ child. Behind the pharaoh we see his Horus name (Powerful Bull in Thebes), written within a rectangle (a “serekh”) on which a falcon is perched. The rectangle is held by Seti’s “ka” (life force) which is depicted as the hieroglyph for ka (two upraised arms) in an anthropomorphic form: below the hieroglyph two arms appear, one of which holds a standard. The standard is topped by a pharaoh’s head and another ka hieroglyph. The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Amun-Ra and the Chapel of Osiris. For a wider view see pictures 29865 and 64. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29868] ’Seti and Sekhmet at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29868] ’Seti and Sekhmet at Abydos.’ This relief shows the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet holding the “ankh” sign before the mouth of pharaoh Seti I. The sign is entwined in her “menat” necklace. The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ptah and the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. For a wider view see picture 29867. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[EGYPT 29870] ’Seti in front of Ished tree at Abydos.’ This relief shows a kneeling Seti I presenting his jubilees to and enthroned Ptah. The jubilees are visualized by a figure of Heh, the god of eternity, depicted in a crouching position. He his holding a (leafless) palm stem in each hand, which symbolized long life to the Egyptians, the years being represented by the notches on the stem. Ptah, wearing his distinctive blue cap, is writing on a small table, which he holds in his lower hand, probably recording the jubilees. On the right we see Ra-Horakhty inscribing the name and the jubilees of the pharaoh on the leaves of the Ished tree. The Ished tree was a sacred tree of which it was thought that the gods wrote the name of the kings at coronation and jubilee festivals, to assure them that their names, and thus their lives, would be perpetuated. The original Ished tree was said to have grown in the temple of Ra at Heliopolis. It can probably be identified as a Desert Date (Balanites aegyptica). The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ptah and the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.

[Egypt 29872] ’Seti and Iousas at Abydos.’

[EGYPT 29872] ’Seti and Iousas at Abydos.’ The goddess Iousas is giving pharaoh Seti I the breath of life, in the form of an “ankh” sign (symbolizing life) flanked by two “was” sceptres (symbols for prosperity). Iousas was associated with the creator god Atum. Her nickname “The Hand of Atum” recalls her role, i.e. the hand of Atum with which he masturbated to create the first divine couple, Shu and Tefnut. The relief is located on the west wall of the Second Hypostyle Hall of the Seti I Temple at Abydos, between the entrances of the Chapel of Ra-Horakhty and the Chapel of Amun. The Seti Temple at Abydos was begun by Seti I and completed by his son Ramses II in the 13th century BC. Photo Mick Palarczyk.