DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11715#0147
ASSOUAN TO ABU-S1MBEL.
names—Damearchon and Pelephus—as forming part of the expedition. It is seldom
that a historical narrative receives such contemporaneous illustration and confirma-
tion. Still more seldom is it that the bad, though ancient, custom of scratching obscure
names upon a venerable monument possesses any value whatever.
The mountain behind these gigantic figures is hollowed out to a depth of about two
hundred feet. The excavations consist of a grand hall, with eight side chapels opening
into it, a second smaller hall, a corridor, and an adytum with altar and figures in relief.
The walls are covered with paintings and sculptures, and in the grand hall are eight
colossal Osiride columns twenty feet in height, each standing erect with its back against
;a square shaft, thus forming a central aisle. They are all exactly alike, with the same
placid solemn expression as those in the facade. Each is crowned with the serpent-
crested Pshent, and holds in its hands, which are crossed upon the breast, the crook and
flail or scourge, emblems of divine power and judgment. They are robed from head to
FAOADE OF SMALLER TEMPLE AT ABU-SIMBEL.
foot in the close-fitting tunic or shroud of death. Round the lions a belt is tied,
falling in lappets upon the knee, and bearing the cartouche of Rameses.
The walls are glowing with color, like the pages of an illuminated missal magnified
a thousandfold. Their theme is everywhere the same—the glory of Rameses. We
cannot fail, however, to be struck by the contrast between the tranquil, gentle face of
the deified monarch, and the deeds of savage ferocity which are here ascribed to him.
Long lines of captives are led bound before him on their way to execution. He himself
is depicted as slaying them with a pitiless cruelty. In one sculpture he is grasping by
their hair a group of prisoners, representing the various nations, African and Asiatic,
which he has conquered. With his uplifted sword he is about to decapitate them.
The god Amon hands him a scimitar, in token of his approval of the deed. We
follow the mighty conqueror throughout his campaigns. In one place he is charg-
ing in his war-chariot upon a whole phalanx of Scythians. In another, he, single-
handed, slays their chief. In a third he is laying waste the territory of the Ethi-
143
names—Damearchon and Pelephus—as forming part of the expedition. It is seldom
that a historical narrative receives such contemporaneous illustration and confirma-
tion. Still more seldom is it that the bad, though ancient, custom of scratching obscure
names upon a venerable monument possesses any value whatever.
The mountain behind these gigantic figures is hollowed out to a depth of about two
hundred feet. The excavations consist of a grand hall, with eight side chapels opening
into it, a second smaller hall, a corridor, and an adytum with altar and figures in relief.
The walls are covered with paintings and sculptures, and in the grand hall are eight
colossal Osiride columns twenty feet in height, each standing erect with its back against
;a square shaft, thus forming a central aisle. They are all exactly alike, with the same
placid solemn expression as those in the facade. Each is crowned with the serpent-
crested Pshent, and holds in its hands, which are crossed upon the breast, the crook and
flail or scourge, emblems of divine power and judgment. They are robed from head to
FAOADE OF SMALLER TEMPLE AT ABU-SIMBEL.
foot in the close-fitting tunic or shroud of death. Round the lions a belt is tied,
falling in lappets upon the knee, and bearing the cartouche of Rameses.
The walls are glowing with color, like the pages of an illuminated missal magnified
a thousandfold. Their theme is everywhere the same—the glory of Rameses. We
cannot fail, however, to be struck by the contrast between the tranquil, gentle face of
the deified monarch, and the deeds of savage ferocity which are here ascribed to him.
Long lines of captives are led bound before him on their way to execution. He himself
is depicted as slaying them with a pitiless cruelty. In one sculpture he is grasping by
their hair a group of prisoners, representing the various nations, African and Asiatic,
which he has conquered. With his uplifted sword he is about to decapitate them.
The god Amon hands him a scimitar, in token of his approval of the deed. We
follow the mighty conqueror throughout his campaigns. In one place he is charg-
ing in his war-chariot upon a whole phalanx of Scythians. In another, he, single-
handed, slays their chief. In a third he is laying waste the territory of the Ethi-
143