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Why did Ramses II dedicate the smaller temple at Abu Simbel to Nefertari?
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Ramses II
A larger-than-life Ramses II towering over his prisoners and clutching them by the hair. Limestone bas-relief from Memphis, Egypt, 1290–24 bce; in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
Ramses II dedicated the smaller temple at Abu Simbel to his queen, Nefertari, because he especially honored her among his numerous wives.1
The temple was constructed for the worship of the goddess Hathor and is adorned with 35-foot (10.5-metre) statues of both the king and the queen. This gesture of devotion was further complemented by the magnificent tomb Ramses II built for Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens.21