Temple of Abydos, abydos, seti temple, kings list, luxor upper egypt

The Temple of Abydos

The temple of Abydos is located to the west of EL-BALIANA which is a town in Sohag Governorate.

In ancient times it was called Abdu, and the Greeks called it Abydos, it was the 8th province in ancient Egypt, this archeological area is considered among the most famous archeological sites it was the city were Mena the unifier of upper and lower Egypt came from and .stating from the 11th dynasty it was the ultimate wish for any local to get the honor and have a burial in Abydos.

There in Abydos we found tombs from the first and second dynasty. As well many kings have built temples in Abydos such as kind Pepi I, Ahmose I, Ramsis II and Seti I.

Here Ancient Egyptians believed that the tomb of Osiris god of the dead is located in Abydos and where his head in was buried.

The Temple of Seti I:

The temple was built in the time of Seti the first and was finished by kind Ramsis II and his son Mern-Patah

The temple is unique in shape where it taking a L shape, The temple also contain the most complete kings lists and god list. and contains 7 shrines dedicated to 7 gods ( osirus, Isis, Horus, Amon RA, Ra Hor Akhty and Ptah and Set I as a deified king. Here there is the most perfect painted intact relieves and texts from the 18th dynasty.

The temple of Abydos was constructed with very white marble. and once has large pylon built by Ramsis II. the front of the temple is a square columned facade. there is 12 rectangular pillars with decoration of Ramsis II welcoming god Osiris, Isis ad Horus. The temple has originally seven gates leading the the 7 shrines originally constructed by Seti I. but king Ramsis have made additional parts to the construction and only there is one gate open now.

The gate leads to a hypostyle hall that was built and decorated by king Ramsis II, here the columns are decorated with a papyrus bud capitals, here there are many representations of Ramsis II offering to many gods.

Further west you will find the second hypostyle hall , which is most impressive, this one was built by Seti II, the walls are depicted with Seti I giving offering to Osiris and Horus !who make offering in front of Osiris shrine. the decorations of this hall is the best in the temple the fine painted relief is of highest standard.

Behind that hall there are 7 sanctuaries dedicated it by Seti I and made for ( Osiris, Isis, Horus, Amon- RA , Ra- hor Akhty, Ptah and Set I as a deified king.

It is believed that these shrines once contained the god's sacred boats . Each of these shrines has a false door where there is a Stella in front mentioning the god ! Only the shrine of Osiris doesn't have false door, but has representations of God Osiris Jed sign ( the pillar of Osiris ) here there is decoration of Osiris myth scenes.

To the left side of the 2nd hypostyle hall there are two entrances, one that leads to the hall of Sokar and Nefertum, while the other entrance it leads to narrow decorated hall where the lists of 76 kings. here you will not find the names of Akhnaton and Queen Hatshepsut. This corridor after words takes you to the hall of sacred boats where the sacred boats where stored, also there was hall for sacrifices where the animals get slaughtered.

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