DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17#0142
PYHAMIDS ASI) PROGRESS.
DENDERAH: FACADE OF TE.MPLE OF HATHOR.
is known as the Ptolemaic period—from Alexander's death till the Christian era)
undertook the complete rebuilding of the temples. The restoration went on
long after the time of the last Egyptian princess, Cleopatra VI., renowned for
her beauty, her accomplishments, and her efforts to graft a Roman stock on the
enfeebled Egyptian genealogical tree. During the troubled reign of this gifted
princess the external decorations were added on the sculptured walls of the
superb structure, which had been several centuries in building, of which we shall
speak further on. The Greek rulers had rebuilt and the Romans protected and
endowed the great Egyptian temple, which seems to have flourished down to
the time of Constanrine the Great. Dr. Pétrie discovered, in 1898, in the cemetery
outside the ancient town, some of the temple furniture, which had been hidden
away possibly by the last of the priests left when all the land became nominally
Christian. The famous decree of Theodosius had been promulgated abolishing
in the Roman provinces everywhere all religions save Christianity. Egypt was
thenceforward, until Mahometan days, a Christian country, and all Pagan tempies
were of course allowed to fall into ruin, and were devastated by iconoclastic
zealots. Denderah was ..a town of no importance after this, and gradually
dwindled into a mere Arab village. The poor, folks grovelled in the magnificent
halls, which they gradually filled up with refuse till at last the buildings were
almost hidden from view. Having obliterated the temple, then the miserable
inhabitants built their -hovels on the top of the great platform of the roof. In
DENDERAH: FACADE OF TE.MPLE OF HATHOR.
is known as the Ptolemaic period—from Alexander's death till the Christian era)
undertook the complete rebuilding of the temples. The restoration went on
long after the time of the last Egyptian princess, Cleopatra VI., renowned for
her beauty, her accomplishments, and her efforts to graft a Roman stock on the
enfeebled Egyptian genealogical tree. During the troubled reign of this gifted
princess the external decorations were added on the sculptured walls of the
superb structure, which had been several centuries in building, of which we shall
speak further on. The Greek rulers had rebuilt and the Romans protected and
endowed the great Egyptian temple, which seems to have flourished down to
the time of Constanrine the Great. Dr. Pétrie discovered, in 1898, in the cemetery
outside the ancient town, some of the temple furniture, which had been hidden
away possibly by the last of the priests left when all the land became nominally
Christian. The famous decree of Theodosius had been promulgated abolishing
in the Roman provinces everywhere all religions save Christianity. Egypt was
thenceforward, until Mahometan days, a Christian country, and all Pagan tempies
were of course allowed to fall into ruin, and were devastated by iconoclastic
zealots. Denderah was ..a town of no importance after this, and gradually
dwindled into a mere Arab village. The poor, folks grovelled in the magnificent
halls, which they gradually filled up with refuse till at last the buildings were
almost hidden from view. Having obliterated the temple, then the miserable
inhabitants built their -hovels on the top of the great platform of the roof. In