National Gods
Ramesses built countless temples throughout Egypt to demonstrate his devotion to the gods, these mainly consisting of several structures within the religious capitols, Pi-Ramesses, Memphis and Thebes.
Temples dedicated to:
Amen, god of Thebes: was one of the national gods within Ramesses II reign and was depicted as the pharaoh’s father, along with the sun god Re. Ramesses dedicated many temples to Amen including the inner sanctuary of the Ramesseum, Abu Simbel and Aksha in Nubia, but also honoured other gods to prevent the priest of Amen becoming too powerful.
Temples dedicated to:
Amen, god of Thebes: was one of the national gods within Ramesses II reign and was depicted as the pharaoh’s father, along with the sun god Re. Ramesses dedicated many temples to Amen including the inner sanctuary of the Ramesseum, Abu Simbel and Aksha in Nubia, but also honoured other gods to prevent the priest of Amen becoming too powerful.
Ptah, god of Memphis: was also a national god and the patron of architecture and craftsmanship. The god was relevant to the Pharaoh as Ramesses had many building programs. Some temples dedicated to Ptah included the temple at Abu Simbel, Derr and Gerf Hussein both located in Nubia.
Re, god of Heliopolis: was the third national god and also portrayed as the pharaohs father. He was the sun god and creator and was honoured through many temples including Abu Simbel. His presence was also seen in the new method of building technique within many temples, as the style allowed the most amount of sunlight. |
Nefertari: Nefertari was the chief wife of the pharaoh and many temples were dedicated to her. The Hathor Goddess of Music and joy is closely associated with her and included within many of the temples.
The Cult of the Pharaoh
Following the example of his father Seti I, Ramesses II had a noticeable emphasis on the Cult of the Pharaoh. This was a new religion, introduced within the later eighteenth to early nineteenth dynasty where pharaoh was looked upon as not just a part divine being but as a god. Ramesses depicts himself as a god through the dedication of the Temple at Abu Simbel to himself, where he depicts himself as equally divine and powerful as the gods Amen, Ptah and Re-Horakhty. Ramesses also illustrate this idea through propaganda used at Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum depicting the battle of Kadesh, they emphasises Ramesses divine, godlike nature and superhuman strength and bravery. Occasionally Egyptologists have discovered the absence of the cartouche, usually encircling the name of the pharaoh to protect him. This signified that Ramesses did not need the protection the gods as he was one.
The Cult of the Pharaoh
Following the example of his father Seti I, Ramesses II had a noticeable emphasis on the Cult of the Pharaoh. This was a new religion, introduced within the later eighteenth to early nineteenth dynasty where pharaoh was looked upon as not just a part divine being but as a god. Ramesses depicts himself as a god through the dedication of the Temple at Abu Simbel to himself, where he depicts himself as equally divine and powerful as the gods Amen, Ptah and Re-Horakhty. Ramesses also illustrate this idea through propaganda used at Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum depicting the battle of Kadesh, they emphasises Ramesses divine, godlike nature and superhuman strength and bravery. Occasionally Egyptologists have discovered the absence of the cartouche, usually encircling the name of the pharaoh to protect him. This signified that Ramesses did not need the protection the gods as he was one.