DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0244
APPENDIX.
205
PROFESSOR GREAVES (1638-9),
In the two first chapters of his work upon the Pyramids,
examines at considerable length several of the antient authors,
whom we have already quoted, respecting their construction, and
comes to the conclusion that the Great Pyramid was built by
Cheops (the same as Chemmis ; or Cham with a Greek termina-
tion), whose reign commenced CI3CCLXVI years before Christ,
and lasted fifty years; that the Second was built by Cephren or
Chabryis, who reigned fifty six years ; that the Third Pyramid7
was built by Mycerinus, who reigned seven ; aud also that a
Fourth Pyramid was built by Asycbis, the duration of whose
reijrn is uncertain. He then alludes to the various accounts,
given by Oriental writers, and to that contained in a book called
" Morat-Alzeman," that they were built by Joseph, by Nimrod,
by Queen Dalukah, or by kings of Egypt, to guard against the
consequences of the flood ; that they were the sepulchres of King
Saurid, of King Hougib, and of Fazfarinoun, son of Hougib ; or
that, according to the Sabeans, the Great Pyramid was the
sepulchre of Seth.
In the third chapter, he considers more immediately for what
purpose -the Pyramids had been constructed, and states his be-
lief that they were tombs; and he mentions, in support of this
opinion, the testimonies of several antient and Arabian authorities,
and cites, more particularly, the existence of a Sarcophagus in
the Great Pyramid. The enormous magnitude of these buildings
he conceives to have been intended for the security of the bodies
entombed, whose preservation was supposed to have been con-
nected with the existence of the soul: and in further support of
this idea, be refers to the custom of embalming; and, amongst
other quotations and references, to the assertion of Plato, that
this connexion between the soul and the body, and the wonderful
preservation of the latter by artificial means, prove how firmly a
belief in the immortality of the former existed in the earliest ages.
He then alludes to the different modes of embalming, and to the
funeral rites performed by the Egyptians ; and observes that em-
balming was evidently in use in the time of Joseph, aud remarks
that the Hebrews are said, by Tacitus, to have, in many respects,
' The Third Pyramid could scarcely have been finished in seven years.
205
PROFESSOR GREAVES (1638-9),
In the two first chapters of his work upon the Pyramids,
examines at considerable length several of the antient authors,
whom we have already quoted, respecting their construction, and
comes to the conclusion that the Great Pyramid was built by
Cheops (the same as Chemmis ; or Cham with a Greek termina-
tion), whose reign commenced CI3CCLXVI years before Christ,
and lasted fifty years; that the Second was built by Cephren or
Chabryis, who reigned fifty six years ; that the Third Pyramid7
was built by Mycerinus, who reigned seven ; aud also that a
Fourth Pyramid was built by Asycbis, the duration of whose
reijrn is uncertain. He then alludes to the various accounts,
given by Oriental writers, and to that contained in a book called
" Morat-Alzeman," that they were built by Joseph, by Nimrod,
by Queen Dalukah, or by kings of Egypt, to guard against the
consequences of the flood ; that they were the sepulchres of King
Saurid, of King Hougib, and of Fazfarinoun, son of Hougib ; or
that, according to the Sabeans, the Great Pyramid was the
sepulchre of Seth.
In the third chapter, he considers more immediately for what
purpose -the Pyramids had been constructed, and states his be-
lief that they were tombs; and he mentions, in support of this
opinion, the testimonies of several antient and Arabian authorities,
and cites, more particularly, the existence of a Sarcophagus in
the Great Pyramid. The enormous magnitude of these buildings
he conceives to have been intended for the security of the bodies
entombed, whose preservation was supposed to have been con-
nected with the existence of the soul: and in further support of
this idea, be refers to the custom of embalming; and, amongst
other quotations and references, to the assertion of Plato, that
this connexion between the soul and the body, and the wonderful
preservation of the latter by artificial means, prove how firmly a
belief in the immortality of the former existed in the earliest ages.
He then alludes to the different modes of embalming, and to the
funeral rites performed by the Egyptians ; and observes that em-
balming was evidently in use in the time of Joseph, aud remarks
that the Hebrews are said, by Tacitus, to have, in many respects,
' The Third Pyramid could scarcely have been finished in seven years.