Abydos is one of the oldest cities of ancient Egypt. This city hosts one of the most well-preserved temple in the country.
The main monument at Abydos is the Temple of Seti I, built around 1300 BC by Seti and his son Ramses II. It is especially notable for its fine reliefs, considered among the best of the New Kingdom. Archeologists say the carvings on the temple’s exterior are worth checking out, but it’s the interior reliefs that really showcase the craftsmanship of early artists.
The temple represents an artistic revival of Old Kingdom forms and was part of Seti’s attempt to consolidate the Ramessid dynasty after the losses under Akhenaten. By identifying himself with the great gods and previous rulers of Egypt, Seti added legitmacy to a ruling family that had been mere warriors just a few generations ago.
Pharaoh Merneptah added a great Hypogeum of Osiris to the temple of Seti. The final building to be added was the Temple of Nectanebo I in the thirtieth dynasty, However, various additions to the site were made through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.