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Why did Ramses II stop at Abydos after visiting Thebes?
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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.
After visiting Thebes for the Opet festival, Ramses II stopped at Abydos while returning to his home in the north for two primary reasons:
- Religious Devotion: He stopped to worship the god Osiris at this important pilgrimage center.1
- Construction Oversight: He intended to arrange for the resumption of work on the great temple founded by his father, Seti I, which had been interrupted by the elder king's death.1
Additionally, during this visit, he took the opportunity to appoint a new high priest of Amon at Thebes.1