Great and Small Temples of Abu Simbel and Small temples are carved to represent pylons – the monumental trapezoidal gates representative of the Egyptian for horizon characteristic of all Egyptian temples. The multiple halls and rooms required for storing temple offerings are also present, carved deep into the sandstone mound. Four colossi depicting Ramesses II as a god flank the entrance to the temple. Ramesses II is depicted as seated, wearing the royal kilt, wearing the nemes headdress and either the crown of Lower Egypt (the Northern two) or the combined crown of Lower and Upper Egypt (the Southern two). Graffiti on the legs of the colossi
Great and Small Temples of Abu Simbel at Abu Simbel was also dedicated to Queen Nefertari, the principal wife of Ramesses II and a deified queen. At the Small Temple in Abu Simbel, six standing statues of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari flank the entrance – there are four of Ramesses II and two of Queen Nefertari. The statues of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari are the same size. This is, in fact, the first time that the King and the Queen are represented at the same scale. Since scale was so important for representing status in Egyptian art, it can be concluded that Ramesses II held