Jon Atkinson - Wildlife And Travel Photographer

Abydos Temple Complex

Jon Atkinson Facebook Jon Atkinson E-Mail
Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Monolithic blocks of the Osireion, Abydos
Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Abydos_1 - Temple of Seti I, Abydos: Abydos, or Abjdu, lies in the eight nome of Upper Egypt, about 300 miles south of Cairo, on the western side of the Nile and about 9.5 miles from the river. It spreads over 5 square miles and contains archaeological remains from all periods of ancient Egyptian history. It was significant in historical times as the main cult center of Osiris, the lord of the netherworld.
Abydos_2 - Monolithic blocks of the Osireion, Abydos: The Osirion or Osireon is located at the rear of the temple of Seti I. It was originally built at a lower level than the foundations of the temple and formed an integral part of Seti I's funeral complex.The monument was originally roofed, its only entrance was through a long vaulted passage outside the northern wall of the Seti Temple and was decorated with scenes from the ‘Book of Gates’.
Abydos_3 - Temple of Seti I, Abydos: The Temple of Seti I was begun by Seti I and finished by his son, the great Ramesses II. The temple once had a landing quay, a ramp, a front terrace, two pylons, though the outer one is mostly lost, with two courts and pillared porticoes. The temple of Seti I at Abydos is a mortuary temple, although Seti himself was buried in the Valley of the Kings. Situating his cenotaphon the hallowed ground of Abydos enabled Seti to participate magically in the resurrection of Osiris "for ever and ever.
Pillar at entrance to Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Pillar at entrance to Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Pillar at entrance to Temple of Seti I, Abydos
Abydos_4 - Pillar at entrance to Temple of Seti I: The entrance now consists of twelve pillars that originally were the second portico. Each of the twelve pillars shows Rameses II being embraced by different gods.
Abydos_5 - Pillars at entrance to Temple of Seti I: Pillars at the entrance decorated with images of Ramses II welcoming the Gods Osiris, Isis and Horus.
Abydos_6 - Pillar at entrance to Temple of Seti I: The Mortuary Temple of Seti I is the largest and by far the most impressive of the Abydos temples. It was constructed of limestone and sandstone blocks.
Relief of Anubis, Abydos
Cult Chapel, Temple of Seti I.
Abydos_7 - Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Seti I: The hall contains 36 lotus-bud columns which are carefully aligned to provide easy access to the sanctuaries. The raised reliefs in this section of the temple are of the highest quality.
Abydos_8 - Relief of Anubis, Abydos: Relief depicting Anubis in the Second Hypostyle Hall. Anubis was the son of Nephthys and Seth. He is the jackal headed god associated with embalming. He is an ancient god who was worshiped all over Egypt.
Abydos_9 - Cult Chapel, Temple of Seti I: Seven doorways lead into the second hypostyle hall which serves as a vestibule for the seven cult chapels in the west wall.The sacred barques of each god would have been housed in these chapels and the scenes they contain depict fascinating accounts of the rituals associated with the festivals of each deity.
Abydos Kings List
Images from the inner Isis Chapel, Abydos.
Abydos_10 - Relief in Niche between chapels, Abydos: Outside these chapels are niches, one by each chapel, with a depiction of the god in question with the King giving offerings.
Abydos_11 - Abydos Kings List: The "Gallery of the Kings" contains a long list of pharaohs who preceded Seti and his son, Rameses II. This is a valuable historical document which Egyptologists use to help them understand the succession of pharaohs. Although a valuable document it is inaccurate as many unpopular kings, for example Hateshepsut, are omitted from the list
Abydos_12 - Images from the inner Isis Chapel, Abydos: Hieroglyphics in the Temple of Seti I depicting the goddess Isis.She was worshiped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as listening to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers.
Hypostyle Hall, Abydos
Glyph of throne name of Seti I
Abydos_14 - Images from the inner Isis Chapel, Abydos: The depictions of Isis in her inner chapel shows her wearing various headdresses. In the image above, she is wearing the she is wearing the horned solar disc.
Abydos_13 -Relief in 2nd Hypostyle Hall, Abydos: The reliefs in the Second Hypostyle Hall are the ones most depicted due to the high quality of the carving.
Abydos_15 - Glyph of throne name of Seti I: Throne name of Seti I; MenMaatRe, within not a cartouche but something which resembles very much the glyph for 'enclosure' or 'house' or 'temple'.

All photography is copyright © Jon Atkinson and images may not be reposted without express permission.