Berkley, E.: The pharaohs and their people: scenes of old Egyptian life and history (New York, [1883])

THE CITY OF RAMESES. 163

San-Tanis, better known to us as Zoan. In
the early days of the monarchy this had been
an important city and an emporium of trade.
It stood on one of the arms of the Nile, and
was not far from the eastern frontier of the
Delta. The Hyksos kings had occupied it
soon after their invasion; they often resided
there, and under them it attained great
splendour and importance. After their ex-
pulsion it was neglected, nor did it come again
into prominence until the days of Rameses,
who almost rebuilt it, and under whom it
became one of the most magnificent of the
great cities of Egypt. It was known as Pa-
Ramessu, the 'city of Rameses,' and we are
fortunate in possessing a description of it by an
Egyptian writer, written apparently in prospect
of the king's triumphal entry: ' I came to the
city of Rameses Meri-amen. Beautiful is she
exceedingly. Thebes itself is not comparable
unto her—the secret of happiness is here. Her
meadows are full of all things fair and good,
daily producing abundance of food; the pools
are full of fish, and the lakes swarm with water-
fowl ; the fields are green with verdure; the