PHILOSOPHICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE DECORATIVE PROGRAM OF THE BEIT EL-WALI TEMPLE

Abstract

The Nubian temple of Beit el-Wali, erected under Ramesses II, has long been considered by experts as a monument of secondary importance on the southern borders of Ancient Egypt. It is significantly smaller than other religious buildings of that era. However its decorative program is an important source of knowledge about philosophical and ideological concepts that existed in Egypt in the early period of reign of Ramesses II. Reliefs decorating the temple demonstrate transition from a canonical model of battle scenes, characteristic of the Seti I era, to a new stage in its development. In the decor of Beit el-Wali, one can find signs of a search for new artistic techniques, iconographic and compositional solutions, which would later be embodied in the largest temples in Egypt. The article is about studying the decorative program of the Beit el-Wali temple in its connection with the state ideology and worldview paradigm in the era of Ramses II