An Egyptian pharaoh of the ninteenth dynasty.

Rameses II Standing Figure

An Egyptian pharaoh of the ninteenth dynasty.

An illustration of an Egyptian hieroglyphic depicting Ramesses II returning in triumph from Syria.

Ramesses II Returning From Syria

An illustration of an Egyptian hieroglyphic depicting Ramesses II returning in triumph from Syria.

An Egyptian pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty. He was born ca. 1302 BC and reigned from either 1279 BC to 1213 BC or 1290 BC to 1224 BC.

Ramses II

An Egyptian pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty. He was born ca. 1302 BC and reigned from either 1279…

Four colossal 20 meter statues of the pharaoh with the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt decorate the facade of the temple, which is 35 meters wide and is topped by a frieze with 22 baboons, worshippers of the sun and flank the entrance. The colossal statues were sculptured directly from the rock in which the temple was located before it was moved. All statues represent Ramesses II, seated on a throne and wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The statue to the left of the entrance was damaged in an earthquake, leaving only the lower part of the statue still intact. The head and torso can still be seen at the statue's feet.

Entrance of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel

Four colossal 20 meter statues of the pharaoh with the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt decorate…