DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0223
184
appendix.
great a pyramid ; on which, to speak summarily, more thousands
of talents than can be numbered were spent. Besides, Rhodopis
flourished not in the time of this man, but of King Amasis. She
lived a vast number of years after the kings who left these
pyramids.
Sect. 149.—Adjoining to the corner where the Labyrinth ends,
is a pyramid of forty fathoms (square), on which are large animals
in intaglio. The way to it is under ground. Yet great as is this
Labyrinth, the lake called Mceris,3 by the side of which it is built,
presents a yet greater wonder. The circumference of this lake
amounts to three thousand six hundred stadia, or sixty schceni—
equal to the extent of sea coast in Egypt. The lake lies in length
towards the north and south, being fifty fathoms deep in its deepest
part. It offers internal evidence of being artificial. For, as near as
may be, in the middle are two pyramids, each rising fifty fathoms
above the water, and built to as great a depth under the water.4
On each of them there is a stone colossal statue, sitting on a
throne. Thus the Pyramids are of one hundred fathoms; and
the one hundred fathoms make up a stade of six hundred feet
—the fathom containing six feet and four cubits ;s the foot con-
taining four palms, and the cubit six.
DIODORUS SICULUS.
1300k i.
Chap. 63.—Upon his death the crown was held, during seven
generations, by kings devoted to idleness and luxury; which is
the reason why the sacred records have handed down no magni-
ficent work or remarkable action of theirs, save of N ileus, one
of the number; from whom the river, before called Egyplus, took
its name; for Nileus made many useful canals, and was greatly
interested in rendering the Nile serviceable; whence it took this
appellation. The eighth who became king was Chembes the
a This relates to the Lake Mceris.
' This passage respecting the buildings in the Lake Maris, has been inserted,
because they were of the same form, and, it is to be presumed therefore, of the same
nature, as those at Ghizeh.
5 The reader is referred to Bernard's work upon antient weights and measures;
where it will be seen that there were several sorts of cubits—the black, the royal, £>.c.
appendix.
great a pyramid ; on which, to speak summarily, more thousands
of talents than can be numbered were spent. Besides, Rhodopis
flourished not in the time of this man, but of King Amasis. She
lived a vast number of years after the kings who left these
pyramids.
Sect. 149.—Adjoining to the corner where the Labyrinth ends,
is a pyramid of forty fathoms (square), on which are large animals
in intaglio. The way to it is under ground. Yet great as is this
Labyrinth, the lake called Mceris,3 by the side of which it is built,
presents a yet greater wonder. The circumference of this lake
amounts to three thousand six hundred stadia, or sixty schceni—
equal to the extent of sea coast in Egypt. The lake lies in length
towards the north and south, being fifty fathoms deep in its deepest
part. It offers internal evidence of being artificial. For, as near as
may be, in the middle are two pyramids, each rising fifty fathoms
above the water, and built to as great a depth under the water.4
On each of them there is a stone colossal statue, sitting on a
throne. Thus the Pyramids are of one hundred fathoms; and
the one hundred fathoms make up a stade of six hundred feet
—the fathom containing six feet and four cubits ;s the foot con-
taining four palms, and the cubit six.
DIODORUS SICULUS.
1300k i.
Chap. 63.—Upon his death the crown was held, during seven
generations, by kings devoted to idleness and luxury; which is
the reason why the sacred records have handed down no magni-
ficent work or remarkable action of theirs, save of N ileus, one
of the number; from whom the river, before called Egyplus, took
its name; for Nileus made many useful canals, and was greatly
interested in rendering the Nile serviceable; whence it took this
appellation. The eighth who became king was Chembes the
a This relates to the Lake Mceris.
' This passage respecting the buildings in the Lake Maris, has been inserted,
because they were of the same form, and, it is to be presumed therefore, of the same
nature, as those at Ghizeh.
5 The reader is referred to Bernard's work upon antient weights and measures;
where it will be seen that there were several sorts of cubits—the black, the royal, £>.c.