Temple of Beit el-Wali

The Nubian temples of Ramesses II (i.e. Wadi es-Sebua, Beit el-Wali and Abu Simbel), were part of a state sponsored policy designed to maintain Egyptian control over this area. During the New Kingdom period of Egypt, Nubia was not only ruled by Egyptian officials but also subject to: : a deliberate policy of acculturation, the intention of which was to break down Nubian identity. Many leading Nubians were educated in Egypt and adopted Egyptian dress, burial customs and religion. They spoke the Egyptian language and even changed their names to Egyptian ones. the decoration of the temples was to some extent royal propaganda intended to intimidate the [local] population. ==Temple architecture and decorations==

at Beit el-Wali temple and offered life by Khnum There is a large amount of original colour remaining in the inner part of this temple though the paint has disappeared from the historical scenes on its Forecourt. "A painted cast from a wall relief" in the Beit el-Wali temple then illustrates the wealth of exotic products which the Egyptians obtained in trade or tribute from the Kushites; here, the pharaoh receives "leopard-skins, giraffe tails, giraffes, monkeys, leopards, cattle, antelopes, gazelles, lions, ostrich feathers and eggs, ebony, ivory, fans, bowls, shields made of [animal] hides, and gold." Some of the Nubians who are part of the tribute "would be destined to be taken to Egypt to work on the king's building projects, act as policemen or be recruited into the army for service in Syria." The deity Anuket offers Ramesses several jubilees. The sanctuary contains three rock-cut cult images perhaps that of Amun, Ptah and Ramesses II. The most touching scenes are on eitherside of the doorway where Ramesses is shown as a child being suckled by Isis and Anuket; however, the statue niche was destroyed later perhaps in the Christian era. ==See also==

References Bibliography • Dieter Arnold & Nigel Strudwick, The Encyclopaedia of Ancient Egyptian Architecture, I.B. Tauris Publishers, 2003. • Lorna Oakes, Pyramids, Temples and Tombs of Ancient Egypt:An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House: Anness Publishing Ltd, 2003. • Günther Roeder, Der Felsentempel von Bet el-Wali (Cairo, 1938) ('The rock temple of Bet el-Wali') ==External links==