DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4372#0151
135
monuments in Egypt:—as at Luxor and at Carnack, the attention
is distracted between the sculptured pictures of battles and of
offerings, and those of each description arc executed with their
peculiar spirit and precision. In one of the battle-scenes on a
gateway, the Egyptians are led on by two heroes of equal
prowess, and whose weapons spread equal destruction and dis-
may among their long-robed opponents. Here too is introduced
the reluctant retreat of the defeated chieftain, till he is laid low
by the fated arrow of the conqueror. In the next scene,where
is represented the plunder of the conquered town, much art and
ingenuity have been exerted in the different details of murders,
battles, and scenes of pillage. The insatiable myrmidons, tired
with slaughter, are entering the houses, lay their hands on the
money-bags, open the wine-skins, and are wallowing in the juices
that flow around them. Some are lading camels with what they
think worth carrying off. The superfluous beasts of burthen are
put to death; the inhabitants are surprised at their daily labour,
—some bruising corn, others carrying burthens or tending their
cattle. The oxen have the Indian hunches on their shoulders.
War-chariots and other carriages seem to block up the streets:
some of the greedy conquerors are contending among themselves
for objects of value; others throwing the helpless inhabitants
over the walls. The remaining troops are marching in order to
lay themselves at the feet of the conqueror—their arms are sci-
metars and shields—captives are driven or led through the streets
with their elbows lashed together above their heads—and their
monarch is tied to the conqueror's chariot, to be dragged like
another Hector round the walls of his town.
On the remaining wing of another gateway is sculptured the
exact counterpart of that at Luxor; with this difference only,
that.
monuments in Egypt:—as at Luxor and at Carnack, the attention
is distracted between the sculptured pictures of battles and of
offerings, and those of each description arc executed with their
peculiar spirit and precision. In one of the battle-scenes on a
gateway, the Egyptians are led on by two heroes of equal
prowess, and whose weapons spread equal destruction and dis-
may among their long-robed opponents. Here too is introduced
the reluctant retreat of the defeated chieftain, till he is laid low
by the fated arrow of the conqueror. In the next scene,where
is represented the plunder of the conquered town, much art and
ingenuity have been exerted in the different details of murders,
battles, and scenes of pillage. The insatiable myrmidons, tired
with slaughter, are entering the houses, lay their hands on the
money-bags, open the wine-skins, and are wallowing in the juices
that flow around them. Some are lading camels with what they
think worth carrying off. The superfluous beasts of burthen are
put to death; the inhabitants are surprised at their daily labour,
—some bruising corn, others carrying burthens or tending their
cattle. The oxen have the Indian hunches on their shoulders.
War-chariots and other carriages seem to block up the streets:
some of the greedy conquerors are contending among themselves
for objects of value; others throwing the helpless inhabitants
over the walls. The remaining troops are marching in order to
lay themselves at the feet of the conqueror—their arms are sci-
metars and shields—captives are driven or led through the streets
with their elbows lashed together above their heads—and their
monarch is tied to the conqueror's chariot, to be dragged like
another Hector round the walls of his town.
On the remaining wing of another gateway is sculptured the
exact counterpart of that at Luxor; with this difference only,
that.