Statue at Luxor of Ramses II who ruled Egypt for 66 years in the 13th century BC. Ramses II lived to 90 years of age and fathered more than 170 children. His reign was one of prosperity for the country and was marked by the building of two huge temples at Abu Simbel.

Pillars and a statue of Ramses II at Luxor, dating from the 13th century BC. This colonnade was originally roofed and enclosed with richly sculptured and painted walls. The avenue led to a great court where the festivals of the gods were held.

Reflections of date palms in a canal, Luxor, Egypt. Luxor is the site of a temple of Ammon, king of the gods in Egyptian mythology.

An aerial view of the temple complex beside the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt. Built by Amenhotep III, it is partially linked by an avenue of sphinxes to the temples in Karnak, just over 2 km/1.3 mi away.

An avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leads to the entrance to the temple precinct of Amun-Ra, Karnak, Egypt. Situated on the east bank of the Nile close to the modern town of Luxor, Karnak was part of ancient Thebes. The remains of this city, which reached its peak during the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC), form one of the largest religious complexes known to archaeology.

The Pylon gateway of the Karnak temple, Luxor, Egypt. The temple was built between 2040 and 1640 BC, to honour the gods Montu and Ammon, and the goddess Mut. Pylons are high sloping walls found at the entrances of many Egyptian temples.