Proctor, Richard A.: The Great Pyramid: observatory, tomb, and temple (New York, 1883)

vi PREFACE.

less as such after his death ; (3) why it was worth
his while to build it ; (4) why separate structures
were required for his brother, son, grandson, and
other members of his family ; (5) why it would
naturally be used for his tomb; and (6) why it
would be the scene of religious observances. All
that is necessary by way of postulate, is that he
and his dynasty believed fully in astronomy as a
means (1) of predicting the future, and (2) of ruling
the planets, in the sense of selecting right times
for every action or enterprise. If there is one
thing certain about Oriental nations in remote
past ages, it is that this belief was universally
prevalent.

The remaining portion of the work shows
how potent were those ancient superstitions about
planetary influences—and their bearing first on
Jewish, and later on Christian festivals and cere-
monial.

RICHARD A. PROCTOR.