Shop Bundles Temple of Seti I

Temple of Seti I

This partially-preserved, yet delightful, temple is situated at the northern end of the chain of New Kingdom “memorial” temples, close to the modern village of Gurna. It was erected by Seti I to serve as his own cult centre after his death. His father, Ramesses I, had reigned for barely a year and a half, leaving him little opportunity to prepare the necessary monuments that would serve him well in his divine afterlife. Apparently, he had left the world of men with no memorial temple by which to perpetuate his life amongst the gods. Responsibility for this task would fall to his son. So, here at Gurna, Seti incorporated a separate suite of cult rooms in honour of the memory of his father. Here, amongst august halls and sacred sanctuaries, both father and son could look forward to spending an eternity of “Millions of Years” – their spiritual life force sustained by the performance of regular rituals and the receipt of lavish endowments.

The temple was named “Glorious is Seti in the Estate of Amun” – a name borne by his Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. Seti’s architectural palette betrays the breadth of his artistic vision. The new and bold artistic range recalls the glories of the mid 18th dynasty – a golden age for Egyptian art. Many of his large-scale works deservedly rank amongst the marvels of Egypt’s rich architectural heritage – his splendidly decorated tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the memorial temple in honour of Osiris at Abydos, the Great Hypostyle Hall – as well as this charming cult temple.

Date of Construction: Years 6-11 of the reign Seti I (XIXth Dynasty, 1291 – 1286 B.C.); later reliefs added by his son, Ramesses II (1279 – 1212 B.C.), possibly as late as his 20th or 21st year (1260/1259 B.C.)

Highlights:
Colonnaded portico with delicate relief work executed during the reign Seti I