As we peer through the second, western pylon of the temple we see an aisle bordered by twelve huge columns with open papyrus capitals. These columns measure 18.5 meters, from the top of their base to the top of their capitals and twenty-one meters including their bases and abacuses. The architrave above the abacus measures another two meters. The circumference of the capitals reach about 21 meters so that they are equal to the height of the columns, including the base and abacus.
One common denominator of these columns is that there is a ring, high up, on which the hieroglyphs of the Horus name of Ramesses II converge toward this king's vertically elevated double cartouche, which is than surmounted by a register depicting the two forms of Amun alternating with one another. Above these images, the enormous campaniform capitals imitate the tuft of the blossoming papyrus above stems encased, or constricted by five concentric grooves just below the capital. In between these plants on the capital are again the cartouches of Ramesses II.
Left: East end of the Grand North Colonnade showing the upper sections of the shafts and capitals;
Right: The arris is visible to the right.
Left: The central "nave": the principal aisle with the Obelisk of Tuthmosis I in the background;
Right: The north central window and open bud columns clearly showing cartouches
"Each large column is decorated by three tableaux that continue around the shaft to.... The largest portion represents worship and offerings made to the Theban triad... But it is not always the same pharaoh presenting the offerings... The worshiper in the two tableaux that are visible when walking between the two rows of large columns is always the pharaoh Ramesses the Great (Ramesses II). The third tableau, which covers the back part of the shaft on the side of the small columns, belongs to the reign of [Ramesses IV]."The larger columns of the central avenue are first surmounted by an abacus, and then architraves running own the longitudinal axes of the temple. The architrave of the campaniform columns of the row south of the nave bear two lines of inscriptions in relief dating from Seti I, who's cartouche was, however, usurped by Ramesses II. On the lower line he had inscribed the dedication of this part of the temple, "He has made a splendid sanctuary [akh] Ramesses Meryamun in the house of Amun before Ipet-sut". Underneath these architrives, ankh symbols are often found intermixed with royal cartouches.
Flanking the central avenue of huge columns is one row of seven smaller monostyle closed bud columns to either side. These two rows of columns are cut short by the antechamber of the third pylon, while the six additional rows of monostyle columns to either side of these have nine columns each. All of these monostyle columns are aligned with each other, but not with the central open bud columns. These columns are split at the fourth row from the second pylon by a transverse aisle, followed by five additional rows prior to the third pylon. At this split, recorded on the underside of the architrive on the first and second rows of columns out from the central open bud columns, is the ankh symbol flanked on both sides by a bulrush of the south and a bee of the north. This marks the axis of the transverse way.
The ankh symbol flanked on both sides by a bulrush of the south and a bee of the north
On the second row of these monostyle columns, the inscriptions on the architrave, the abacus and the top of the capital, in light relief, are in the name of Seti I, and his legend continues to be engraved on the remaining rows of monostyle columns.
However, it is easy to see that all the capitals and the tops of the shafts of the eastern columns have received additional cartouches, while those on the west have retained their original decorations, at least in the first bay.
Champollion tells us that:
"The decorations of the little columns on the right are of two kinds. Those of the first four rows (going across) seen on entering the hypostyle hall have retained their original decorations, which was that given to them under Ramesses the Great. The colors have in large part survived. With these we have an example of the first stage of all the little columns on the right and left of the hypostyle hall before the additions of Ramesses (IV)".
The first northern lateral avenue looking out on Hatshepsut's Obelisk
The tableaux, like those of the larger open bud columns flanking the center isle, depict gods who's orientation is dictated by a vertical line. These gods also include Mut, Isis and the ithyphallic Amun. In addition, the king is portrayed on each column.
Surmounting the architrave of the first bay of monostyle columns is a torus (a rounded protrusion) and cornice. Along the cornice appear triglyphs separated by cartouches of Ramesses II. Above this, running along the axis of the lower architrave but recessed from the cornice are great pillars joined by an upper architrave, which rises to the height of the architrave over the central open bud columns. This arrangement allowed the central section of the hall between the large columns a higher ceiling then in the remainder of the hall. Between these upper pillars above the monostyle columns were set two enormous stone slabs which were cut with twelve bars to allow light into the hall. Only the central windows has kept it's grill of recessed stone between the square pillars, which correspond to each column of the first bay.
On the interior side of these pillars between these windows are carved depictions of Ramesses II welcoming and receiving life and other gifts from Amun-Re. On the exterior side are recorded the Horus name of Seti I, which faces Amun-Re. On the exterior of the architrave above the window are carved falcons that overshadow the two cartouches of Menmaatre Seti Meryenptah crowned by a disk and feathers placed above the nub necklace which is symbolic of gold.
The ankh of the axis of the north-south transverse way
with a clear view of the abacus, architrave, torus, cornice,
surmounted by an upper pillar and architrave framing a window.