These
dates are allegedly the king's birthday
and coronation day respectively, but there
is no evidence to support this. Due to
the displacement of the temple, this event
now occurs one day later than originally.
The Smaller Abu Simbel Temple is located
north of the Greater Temple. It was carved
in the rock by Rameses II and dedicated
to Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty,
and also to his favorite wife, Nefertari.
The façade is adorned by six statues,
four of Rameses II and two of Nefertari;
most unusually, the six are the same height,
which indicates the esteem in which Nefertari
was held. The entrance leads to a hall
containing six pillars bearing the head
of the goddess Hathor. The eastern wall
bears inscriptions depicting Rameses II
striking the enemy before Ra-Harakhte
and Amun-Ra. Other wall scenes show Rameses
II and Nefertari offering sacrifices to
the gods. Beyond this hall, there is another
wall with similar scenes and paintings.
In the farthest depths of the temple is
the holy of holies, where a statue of
the goddess Hathor stands.
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