INTE:rIOR of the tempi,!: : ABU SIMBEIv, NUBIA 



Two great halls, out of which open eight small chambers, and the holy of holies form 

 the interior of the temple, which measures i8o feet at its greatest length. The roof of the 

 vestibule hall is supported by eight colored statues of Rameses, with the emblems of the god 

 Osiris ; the walls are covered with exceptionally interesting religious and battle scenes in 

 the most vivid colors. One of these exhibits the characteristic vanity of Rameses, as it 

 depicts him, as king, making humble offerings to himself as god ! In the holy of holies were 

 the statues Amen-Ra, Raharkht, and Ptah, the gods and protectors of the great religious 

 centers of Thebes, Heliopolis, and Memphis ; and, finally, Rameses himself, as god and pro- 

 tector of Nubia. A few paces away to the south is another small temple of lesser interest. 



1008 



