---
title: Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II
author: Carole Raddato
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15453/abu-simbel-sanctuary-of-the-temple-of-ramesses-ii/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II

_Authored by Carole Raddato_

## Image File

[![Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/15453.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/15453.jpg)

## Image Caption

In the sanctuary inside the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Ramesses II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ramesses_II/) (Great Temple) at [Abu Simbel](https://www.worldhistory.org/Abu_Simbel/) are rock-cut sculptures of four seated figures: Ra-Horakhty, the deified king [Ramesses](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/ramesses/), and the gods [Amun](https://www.worldhistory.org/amun/) Ra and Ptah. The architects of ancient [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) in the 13th century BCE aligned the temple so that on October 22 and February 22, the sun’s rays enter into the sanctuary to illuminate the sculptures on the [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/), except for the statue of Ptah, the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) associated with the underworld, which remains in shadow.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Raddato, C. (2022, March 15). Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15453/abu-simbel-sanctuary-of-the-temple-of-ramesses-ii/>
### Chicago
Raddato, Carole. "Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 15, 2022. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15453/abu-simbel-sanctuary-of-the-temple-of-ramesses-ii/>.
### MLA
Raddato, Carole. "Abu Simbel, Sanctuary of the Temple of Ramesses II." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Mar 2022, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15453/abu-simbel-sanctuary-of-the-temple-of-ramesses-ii/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/white-flickr.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/51940802029/in/photostream/)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/51940802029/in/photostream/) by [**Carole Raddato**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolemage/51940802029/in/photostream/). Submitted by [Carole Raddato](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/FollowingHadrian/ "User Page: Carole Raddato"), published on 15 March 2022. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.