Gabb, Thomas: Finis pyramidis or Disquisitions concerning the antiquity and scientific end of the great pyramid of Giza, or ancient Memphis, in Egypt, and of the first standard of linear measure (Retford, 1806)

( S7 ì

foot, one hundred of which were assigned to the front
extent of the ancient Parthenon, by the settlers under
Cacrops or by their descendants, long before Pericles
built the octastyle*

CHAPTER IL

OF THE ORIGIN OF THE TRUE ÀNCIÈNT GRREK
FOOT AND MATTERS DEPENDENT ON IT.

FOR many centuries past the great pyramid of Giza
has been deemed a sepulchral monument, but on no
other authority, than vulgar opinion, which has been
followed both by the learned, as Well as the illiterate of
modern times. Pliny, indeed, though equally at a loss
With Herodotus and others his ancients, to guess at the
primary end which the founder of so stupendous a work
had in view ; yet he intimates not any idea of a sepul-*
chral purpose.

As many, however, of the modern literati as have of
late visited the pyramids of Egypt, have labored under
the erroneous persuasion of the design being intended,
by,the founder, for a place of burial, or for superstitious
purposes, and have given themselves no further trouble
in searching into it's origin, than merely to relate what
others have said, wrote, and thought of it ; concerning, I
suppose, that since Herodotus made so little discovery of
it's real destination, and only recorded the fables Which
the Egyptian priests taught him, concerning a Cheops
and other ridiculous stories; it were but time lost to
attempt any further investigation, eitheï of the end or
of the founder : and hence proposed to themselves mere-
ly to satisfy their own and their countries curiosity, by
measures and descriptions of it's immense size and sin-

D guiar