DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4640#0075
VIEW UNDER THE GRAND PORTICO, PHIL.E.
This sketch presents, in another direction, a more striking view of the exquisite sculpture and
carved decorations of the columns and the painted ceilings in this beautiful portico. At the
extremity of the vista, the ruins of an altar shew that it was once a place of Christian worship.
It has been fractured and displaced, probably in search of treasure, for even the flooring has been
broken up and disturbed. The emblem of the cross is everywhere seen, but no community of
Christians now exists in the valley of the Nile from Esne to the borders of Abyssinia.
Many objects of great interest are found by those who search for them amidst the ruins of this
Temple, but some that are in dark chambers are of more historical than picturesque importance.
All these structures, however, are of comparatively low date—the oldest not more than 380
years b.c. The Ptolemies raised this beautiful Temple upon what remained of the structures built
by Nectanebo, and which was destroyed by the Persians in their last invasion of Egypt; and
they continued to enrich and adorn this shrine, even to the last of them — "the Serpent of Old
Nile," whose portrait is appropriately sculptured on the walls of this Temple, dedicated to Athor.
Other portraits also are here of Ptolemaic Queens, but not only is that of Cleopatra more strikingly
handsome than either those of Arsinoe or Berenice, but her eventful history commands a higher
interest in a resemblance which, it is highly probable, is authentic.
Nor did the interest in Phike cease with the Ptolemies. The Roman Emperors successively
enriched it, and so great was the celebrity of this Temple, that numerous Greek and Latin
inscriptions attest the feelings, with the names, of many who came to worship in the Temple of
Isis: these made such heavy claims upon the funds of the priests, that a Greek inscription
exists on the pedestal of the Obelisk which Belzoni removed from Philse, in which they appeal
to Ptolemy Physcon, who was a great benefactor to their Temple, to prevent so many persons of
rank and public functionaries from visiting the island, and living at their expense. It is as follows: —
"To King Ptolemy, and Queen Cleopatra his sister, and the Queen Cleopatra his wife, gods
Euergetes welfare: We, the priests of Isis, the very great goddess [worshipped] in Abaton and Philae;
seeing that those who visit Philae, generals, chiefs, governors of districts in the Thebaid, royal scribes,
chiefs of police, and all other functionaries, as well as their soldiers and other attendants, oblige us
to provide for them during their stay; the consequence of which is, that the Temple is impoverished,
and we run the risk of not having enough for the customary sacrifices and libations offered for you
and your children; do therefore pray you, 0 great gods, if it seem right to you, to order Numenius,
your cousin and secretary, to write to Lochus, your cousin and governor of the Thebaid, not to disturb
us in this manner, and not to allow any other person to do so, and to give us authority to this
effect; that we may put a stela, with an inscription, commemorating your beneficence towards us on
this occasion, so that your gracious favour may be recorded for ever: which being done, we, and the
Temple of Isis, shall be indebted for this, among other favours. Hail."
The stela was erected, and the favourable answer recorded in original monuments, which exist for
our perusal after two thousand years.
This sketch presents, in another direction, a more striking view of the exquisite sculpture and
carved decorations of the columns and the painted ceilings in this beautiful portico. At the
extremity of the vista, the ruins of an altar shew that it was once a place of Christian worship.
It has been fractured and displaced, probably in search of treasure, for even the flooring has been
broken up and disturbed. The emblem of the cross is everywhere seen, but no community of
Christians now exists in the valley of the Nile from Esne to the borders of Abyssinia.
Many objects of great interest are found by those who search for them amidst the ruins of this
Temple, but some that are in dark chambers are of more historical than picturesque importance.
All these structures, however, are of comparatively low date—the oldest not more than 380
years b.c. The Ptolemies raised this beautiful Temple upon what remained of the structures built
by Nectanebo, and which was destroyed by the Persians in their last invasion of Egypt; and
they continued to enrich and adorn this shrine, even to the last of them — "the Serpent of Old
Nile," whose portrait is appropriately sculptured on the walls of this Temple, dedicated to Athor.
Other portraits also are here of Ptolemaic Queens, but not only is that of Cleopatra more strikingly
handsome than either those of Arsinoe or Berenice, but her eventful history commands a higher
interest in a resemblance which, it is highly probable, is authentic.
Nor did the interest in Phike cease with the Ptolemies. The Roman Emperors successively
enriched it, and so great was the celebrity of this Temple, that numerous Greek and Latin
inscriptions attest the feelings, with the names, of many who came to worship in the Temple of
Isis: these made such heavy claims upon the funds of the priests, that a Greek inscription
exists on the pedestal of the Obelisk which Belzoni removed from Philse, in which they appeal
to Ptolemy Physcon, who was a great benefactor to their Temple, to prevent so many persons of
rank and public functionaries from visiting the island, and living at their expense. It is as follows: —
"To King Ptolemy, and Queen Cleopatra his sister, and the Queen Cleopatra his wife, gods
Euergetes welfare: We, the priests of Isis, the very great goddess [worshipped] in Abaton and Philae;
seeing that those who visit Philae, generals, chiefs, governors of districts in the Thebaid, royal scribes,
chiefs of police, and all other functionaries, as well as their soldiers and other attendants, oblige us
to provide for them during their stay; the consequence of which is, that the Temple is impoverished,
and we run the risk of not having enough for the customary sacrifices and libations offered for you
and your children; do therefore pray you, 0 great gods, if it seem right to you, to order Numenius,
your cousin and secretary, to write to Lochus, your cousin and governor of the Thebaid, not to disturb
us in this manner, and not to allow any other person to do so, and to give us authority to this
effect; that we may put a stela, with an inscription, commemorating your beneficence towards us on
this occasion, so that your gracious favour may be recorded for ever: which being done, we, and the
Temple of Isis, shall be indebted for this, among other favours. Hail."
The stela was erected, and the favourable answer recorded in original monuments, which exist for
our perusal after two thousand years.