Philae Temple

ISIS & OSIRIS

A Complete Guide

1. Why is it Called the “Philae Temple”?

The name “Philae” (Greek: Φιλαί, Arabic: فيلا) comes from the ancient Egyptian term “P-aaleq” (𓊪𓄿𓃭𓅱𓊖), meaning “the end” or “remote place.” This refers to its location near the southern frontier of Egypt. The Greeks later adapted it to “Philae.”

Some scholars also link the name to the Coptic word “Pilak”, meaning “corner,” as the temple was situated on an island at the edge of Egypt’s dominion.

2. Location of the Philae Temple

Originally, the temple stood on Philae Island in the Nile near Aswan. However, due to the construction of the Aswan Low Dam (1902) and High Dam (1960s), the temple was submerged underwater for most of the year.

To save it, UNESCO led a massive relocation project (1972–1980), moving the temple block-by-block to Agilkia Island, about 500 meters away. Today, visitors access it by boat from Aswan.

3. When Was the Philae Temple Built?

• Earliest construction: Begun by Pharaoh Nectanebo I (380–362 BCE)of the 30th Dynasty (Late Period).
• Major expansions: Carried out by the Ptolemies (Greek rulers, 332–30 BCE)and Roman Emperors (Augustus & Tiberius, 1st century CE).
• Latest additions: Some inscriptions date to Emperor Diocletian (3rd–4th century CE).

Unlike most Egyptian temples built by pharaohs, Philae was largely developed under foreign rulers who revered Egyptian gods.

4. What Does the Temple Contain Inside?

The Philae Temple Complex includes several structures:

The Temple of Isis (Main Temple)

• First Pylon: Massive gateway with reliefs of Ptolemy XII smiting enemies.
• Birth House (Mammisi): Depicts the divine birth of Horus, son of Isis and Osiris.
• Inner Sanctuary: Once held the sacred golden statue of Isis(now lost).
• Nilometer: Used to measure the Nile’s water levels for flood predictions.

The Kiosk of Trajan (Pharaoh’s Bed)

• A beautiful, unfinished Roman pavilion with 14 columns, built by Emperor Trajan.

Temple of Hathor

• Features musical reliefsof Bes (dwarf god of dance) and musicians.

Temple of Horus (Harendotes)

• Dedicated to Isis’ son, Horus, in his form as “Horus the Avenger.”

Christian Influence

• After Christianity spread, parts were converted into a church (6th century CE). Crosses and Coptic graffiti can still be seen.

5. Why Was the Philae Temple Destroyed?

• Natural Causes: Flooding from the Aswan Low Dam (1902)submerged Philae for months each year, eroding its reliefs.
• Religious Conflict: Early Christians defaced some pagan carvings.
• Salvage Operation: The High Dam (1960s)threatened to drown it permanently, prompting UNESCO to relocate it.

6. Why Do Tourists Visit Philae Temple?

• Last Active Pagan Temple: One of the final places where ancient Egyptian religion was practiced(until 537 CE).
• Sound & Light Show: A famous nighttime spectacle narrating Isis’ legends.
• Architectural Beauty: Blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles.
• Mythological Significance: Linked to Isis, Osiris, and Horus—central to Egyptian mythology.

7. Philae Temple Opening Hours & Tickets

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter), 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Summer).
• Sound & Light Show: Evening sessions (multiple languages).
• Ticket Cost: ~500 EGP(foreign tourists), discounts for students.

10 Lesser-Known Facts About Philae Temple

• The last hieroglyphic inscription(394 CE) and demotic text (452 CE) in history were found here.
• Napoleon’s troopsdrew the first modern sketches of Philae in 1799.
• Isis worshipcontinued here 200 years after Rome became Christian.
• The temple was a pilgrimage sitefor Nubians, Greeks, and Romans.
• Cleopatra VIImay have visited Philae.
• The sacred Isis statuewas smuggled to Rome before Christianity banned her cult.
• Agilkia Island, where it now stands, was reshaped to mimic original Philae.
• The temple’s axisaligns with the Nile’s flow, unlike most Egyptian temples.
• A hidden chamberbeneath the sanctuary may have held Osiris’ relics.

Philae was considered a burial place of Osiris (Abaton Island nearby was believed to hold his body).

The Goddess Isis: Myths & Facts in Egyptology

Who Is Isis?

• Goddess of Magic, Motherhood, and Healing
• Wife of Osiris, mother of Horus
• Symbols: Throne headdress, ankh, tyet (knot of Isis)

Key Myths

1. Resurrection of Osiris: Isis reassembled Osiris after his murder by Set, creating the first mummy.
2. Protector of Horus: Hid Horus in the Delta marshes to save him from Set.
3. The Secret Name of Ra: Tricked Ra into revealing his true name to gain divine power.

Cult & Worship

• Spread to Rome: Temples built as far as London (Londinium).
• Linked to Virgin Mary: Early Christians merged her imagery with Mary.
• Last Pagan Stronghold: Philae was her most sacred site.

Isis: The Divine Mother of Egypt.

Her Relationships with Osiris, Horus, and Anubis

Isis (Egyptian: Aset or Auset, 𓊨𓏏𓆇𓁐) was one of the most important goddesses in ancient Egyptian religion. She was worshipped as the ideal mother, wife, and magician, embodying love, healing, and resurrection.

Her relationships with Osiris, Horus, and Anubis form the core of one of Egypt’s most enduring myths—the Osiris Cycle—which explains life, death, and kingship.

1. Isis and Osiris: The Sacred Marriage

Roles:

• Isis: Goddess of magic, fertility, and protection.
• Osiris: God of the afterlife, resurrection, and agriculture.

The Myth:

• Osiris was the first divine king of Egypt, ruling wisely with Isis as his queen.
• His jealous brother Set (Seth)murdered him by tricking him into a coffin, which was thrown into the Nile.
• Isis searched tirelesslyfor Osiris’ body, finding it in Byblos (Lebanon).
• Using her magical powers, she briefly revived Osiris and conceived their son, Horus.
• After Osiris’ second death, she helped Anubismummify him, making Osiris the first mummy and ruler of the Duat (underworld).

Symbolism:

• Their love symbolized eternal devotion and resurrection.
• Osiris’ resurrection was linked to the Nile’s flooding and crop cycles.

2. Isis and Horus: The Protective Mother

Roles:

• Horus: Sky god, divine avenger, and rightful heir to Osiris’ throne.

The Myth:

• After Osiris’ death, Isis hid Horus in the Delta marshes(Chemmis) to protect him from Set.
• She used magic spellsto heal him when he was stung by scorpions (a story told in the Metternich Stela).
• When Horus grew up, she supported his battle against Setto reclaim his father’s throne.

Symbolism:

• Isis’ protection of Horus made her the archetype of motherhood(similar to the Virgin Mary in Christianity).
• The Horus-Set conflictrepresented the struggle between order (Ma’at) and chaos (Isfet).

3. Isis and Anubis: The Secret Son?

Roles:

• Anubis: God of mummification and guardian of the dead.

The Myth (Lesser-Known Version):

• In some late traditions, Anubis was secretly the son of Osiris and Nephthys(Isis’ sister).
• Nephthys, disguised as Isis, seduced Osiris, and when Set discovered this, she abandoned the baby.
• Isis found and raised Anubis, making him her adopted son and ally in mummifying Osiris.

Symbolism:

• Anubis’ role in Osiris’ resurrection reinforced Isis’ power over death and rebirth.
• Their bond showed her compassion, as she accepted Anubis despite his origins.

Conclusion: The Divine Family’s Legacy

• Isis & Osiris→ Represent love, death, and resurrection.
• Isis & Horus→ Symbolize motherly protection and royal succession.
• Isis & Anubis→ Highlight her mercy and mastery over funerary rites.

This myth cycle was so influential that Isis worship spread to Greece and Rome, where she was called “Isis Myrionymos” (Goddess of a Thousand Names).

 

Introduction

The Temple of Abu Simbel: A Monument of Eternal Majesty 2025.
In the golden sands of southern Egypt, nestled near the banks of Lake Nasser, lies one of the most awe-inspiring and enigmatic treasures of ancient Egyptian civilization—the Temple of Abu Simbel. A marvel of architecture, engineering, and spiritual devotion, this ancient temple is not just a tribute to a powerful pharaoh, but also a storybook carved in stone that narrates the political power, religious faith, and scientific mastery of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Let us embark on a journey through time to explore the full story behind Abu Simbel: its location, significance, the god and king it honors, its rediscovery, contents, miracles of sunlight, and the genius operation that saved it from being lost forever.

Atum Trip

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Where is Abu Simbel Located?

The Temple of Abu Simbel is situated in Nubia land, southern Egypt, about 230 kilometers southwest of Aswan, close to the Sudanese border. Originally, it stood on the western bank of the Nile River, carved into a sandstone cliff. However, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, it now stands at a new location on the shores of Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world.

The surrounding area is remote, but the isolation only adds to the temple's majestic aura. The desert landscape, punctuated by the calm waters of the lake, provides a fitting stage for this colossal symbol of Egyptian grandeur.

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Why is it Called “Abu Simbel”?

The name "Abu Simbel" does not stem from ancient Egyptian origins. Rather, it has a more modern and somewhat poetic background. When the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt visited the area in the early 19th century, he was guided by a young Nubian boy named Abu Simbel who knew the location of the buried temple.

The name was used later by Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni, who credited the boy for helping him reach the site in 1817. Since then, the temple has been known by this name in tribute to the child who revealed it to the modern world.

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To Whom is the Temple Dedicated?

The Great Temple at Abu Simbel is dedicated to two central figures:

Ramses II, one of Egypt's most powerful and celebrated pharaohs.

The gods: Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Amun-Ra—representing the major triad of Egyptian theology.

Next to it lies a smaller temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramses II’s favorite wife, and the goddess Hathor, the deity of love, beauty, and motherhood. This pairing of temples is symbolic, portraying Ramses as both a divine ruler and a devoted husband.

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Who Discovered the Temple and When?

The temples of Abu Simbel were buried under centuries of desert sand. Although locals always knew about the presence of “great statues” buried in the sands, it wasn’t until the European expeditions in the early 1800s that it was rediscovered.

In 1813, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt saw the top frieze of the main temple. But it was Giovanni Belzoni who, in 1817, managed to excavate enough to enter the temple’s interior. His exploration marked the first documented entry in modern times.

Their efforts were among the earliest examples of Egyptology, a discipline that would grow in fascination and academic rigor throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

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What Does the Temple Contain?

The Great Temple is one of the most impressive monuments of ancient Egyptian architecture. It is fronted by four colossal statues, each about 20 meters (66 feet) tall, depicting a seated Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Inside the Temple:

• A vast hypostyle hall with eight massive Osirid pillars—statues of Ramses II as the god Osiris.
• Walls covered with vivid reliefs showing Ramses II in battle, especially the Battle of Kadesh, where he claimed victory over the Hittites.
• Scenes depicting religious rituals, offerings to the gods, and symbolic unification of Egypt.
• At the very end lies the sanctuary, with four seated statues: Ramses II, Ra-Horakhty, Amun-Ra, and Ptah.

The Small Temple features:

• A façade with six standing statues, four of Ramses and two of Nefertari—remarkably giving her equal height and prominence.
• Interior walls with scenes of the queen playing musical instruments and making offerings to Hathor.

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What Makes Abu Simbel Special?

The Temple of Abu Simbel stands out for several reasons:

1. Colossal Scale: The sheer size of the statues and halls reflects the might of Ramses II’s empire.
2. Sun Perpendicularity: The temple was engineered so that the sun would shine into the sanctuary and illuminate the gods’ statues twice a year—an incredible feat of ancient astronomy.
3. Double Dedication: Ramses honored both his divine kingship and his queen, Nefertari—rare among pharaohs.
4. Artistic Excellence: The detailed reliefs and precision of carving demonstrate unmatched artistic and engineering skills.
5. International Rescue Operation: Its successful relocation is a testament to modern engineering collaboration and cultural preservation.

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Is Abu Simbel Worth Visiting?

Absolutely—Abu Simbel is one of the most iconic destinations in Egypt. Visitors describe it as a spiritual experience, where history, nature, and human ingenuity converge.

Highlights include:

• Witnessing the grandeur of the statues up close.
• Touring the inside halls and deciphering the ancient hieroglyphs.
• Attending the Sun Festival on February 22 or October 22 when sunlight floods the sanctuary.

The effort to reach it—via flight or a long road journey—adds a sense of pilgrimage and adventure, making the visit even more memorable.

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The Great Relocation of Abu Simbel

In the 1960s, Egypt planned the construction of the Aswan High Dam to control Nile flooding and generate hydroelectric power. But the creation of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge Abu Simbel forever.

From 1964 to 1968, an unprecedented international rescue effort led by UNESCO began. With assistance from dozens of countries, the temples were carefully dismantled, cut into over 1,000 blocks, each weighing up to 30 tons, and moved 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from the original site.

The new site was reconstructed with utmost accuracy. Artificial hills were built to mimic the original cliff, and the interior alignment was preserved—including the solar alignment of the sanctuary.

This ambitious feat cost about $40 million USD and became one of the most important cultural preservation projects in history.

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The Sun’s Perpendicularity: An Ancient Astronomical Wonder

Twice a year, a spectacular phenomenon occurs at Abu Simbel. On February 22 and October 22, sunlight penetrates the 60-meter-long hallway and illuminates three of the four statues in the sanctuary:

• Ramses II
• Amun-Ra
• Ra-Horakhty

The fourth statue, Ptah, god of the underworld, remains in shadow—intentionally.

This precise solar alignment, occurring just two days after Ramses’ birthday and coronation day, reveals the Egyptians’ mastery over astronomy and engineering.

Why Does the Sun Shine In Only on Those Days?

Ancient architects studied the sun’s movement and designed the temple so that on these exact days, the rays of the rising sun would enter the temple and light up Ramses and the gods, symbolizing divine connection and cosmic order.

The relocation slightly altered the timing of the solar alignment by one day (it used to be February 21 and October 21), but the phenomenon continues.

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Ramses II: The Pharaoh Behind Abu Simbel

His Reign

Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, ruled Egypt during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom, from 1279 to 1213 BCE—a reign of 66 years, one of the longest in Egyptian history.

He is remembered as:

• A military commander who fought the Hittites at Kadesh.
• A master builder of temples, monuments, and cities.
• A religious reformer who emphasized his divine status.
• A diplomatic figure, signing the first known peace treaty with the Hittites.

Ramses lived into his 90s, fathered over 100 children, and ruled a prosperous, stable Egypt.

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The Family Tree of Ramses II

Ramses II came from a military family, not originally royal, but elevated to kingship through loyalty and skill.

Ancestry

• Grandfather: Ramses I (founder of the 19th Dynasty)
• Father: Seti I (a successful general and builder)

Wives and Children

Ramses had many wives, but his most beloved was Queen Nefertari, to whom the small temple at Abu Simbel is dedicated.

Other prominent wives:

• Isetnofret (mother of his successor)
• Maathorneferure (a Hittite princess)

Children

He had more than 100 children (estimates vary), including:

• Amun-her-khepeshef – Crown prince who died before Ramses.
• Merneptah – Eventually succeeded Ramses II as pharaoh.
• Numerous sons and daughters depicted on various temple walls.

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Conclusion

The Temple of Abu Simbel stands as a timeless masterpiece, a monument not just of stone, but of human vision, divine reverence, and eternal legacy. From its strategic alignment with the sun, its colossal statues, and rich reliefs, to its dramatic rescue and relocation, it tells a multilayered story of power, devotion, art, and science.

More than 3,200 years later, Abu Simbel continues to draw awe-struck visitors, reminding us of a civilization that looked to the stars, carved their beliefs into cliffs, and built monuments meant to last for eternity.

Whether you’re a lover of history, architecture, or natural wonder, Abu Simbel is more than worth visiting—it’s a destination that embodies the very soul of ancient Egypt.