Brugsch, Heinrich: Egypt under the pharaohs: a history derived entirely from the monuments (London, 1891)

Ms. xviii. NEW BUILDINGS AT THEBES 207

* the king had mounted his horse to reach the extremest bounda-
ries of the negroes, and had scattered the people of Cush, and
laid waste their country.' Pharaoh himself 'gave instructions
and directions, for he understood how to direct and guide the
architects.'

'He had executed great monuments in Apet of the South, won-
derful works never seen before, and he had increased and extended
Apet of the South.'

On the further bank of the river, in a north-
easterly direction from the temple of Tehuti-mes III.
at Medinet Habu, a new temple to Amen was raised
by the king's command. Its site is indicated from a
great distance by the gigantic sitting statues of the
king.

Although little more than the foundation walls
of the temple itself are left, yet a memorial tablet,
■which now lies thrown down on its back, bears wit-
ness to the size and importance of the original build-
ing. The inscription which adorns its surface is in
the form of a dialogue between the king and the god.
Amen-hotep III. speaks thus :—

Come then, Amen-Ra, lord of Thebes in Apet, behold thy abode,
which is prepared for thee on the great place of Us (Thebes).
Its splendour rests on the western part (of the city). Thou passest
through the heaven to unite thyself with it (the abode, i.e. the
temple). And thou risest on the horizon (in the east); then is it
enlightened by the golden beams of thy countenance. Its front
turns towards the east, &c.

Thy glory dwells in it. I have not let it want for excellent
works of durable beautiful white stone. I have filled it with monu-
ments in my [name], from the mountain of admirable stone. Those
who behold them in their place are full of great joy on account of
their size.

And likewise I built a court on the rocky soil, of alabaster,
rose granite, and black stone. Also I made a double gate-tower,
labouring to dedicate the most beautiful thing to my divine father.
Statues of the gods are to be seen everywhere. They are carved
in all their [parts ?]. A great statue was made, of gold and all
kinds of beautiful precious stones. I gave directions to execute