DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1035#0077
Chap. I.] TEMPLES AND EXTENT OF THEBES. 41
formerly above the reach of its inundation, contrary
to the theories of several authors,* who, calculating
only the elevation of the land, without observing
that the bed of the river continues to rise in a simi-
lar ratio, foretell the future desert which this hitherto
fertile valley is to present to its starving inhabitants.
Continuing to the westward, along the edge of
the hager, you arrive at the extensive mounds and
walls of Christian hovels, which encumber and
nearly conceal the ruins of Medeenet Haboo, hav-
ing passed several remains of other ancient build-
ings which once covered the intermediate space.
Among these, the most remarkable are at the north-
north-east corner of the mounds, where, besides in-
numerable fragments of sandstone, are the vestiges
of two large colossi.
The ruins at Medeenet Haboo f are undoubtedly
of one of the four temples^ mentioned by Diodorus ;
the other three being those of Kamak, Luqsor, and
the Memnonium, or first Remeseum. Strabo, whose
own observation, added to the testimony of several
also means " blue," and may hence have been originally applied
to blue or deep streams. Neeleh is the Arabic name for indigo.
The Egyptian god Nilus was painted of a blue colour. The ancient
name of ocean is then still retained, and the epithet aetos, " the
eagle," is preserved in the modern name Tyar, " the flyer," which
is applied to the current of this river. But may not Bahr be re-
lated to the Piaro, " river," (pronounced Biaro) of the Copts ?
* M. Savary, M. Dolomieu, and others. " Rusticus expectat
dum defluat amnis."
f " The city of Haboo," a traditional king, who is said to have
erected it.
I Lib. i. s. 46.
formerly above the reach of its inundation, contrary
to the theories of several authors,* who, calculating
only the elevation of the land, without observing
that the bed of the river continues to rise in a simi-
lar ratio, foretell the future desert which this hitherto
fertile valley is to present to its starving inhabitants.
Continuing to the westward, along the edge of
the hager, you arrive at the extensive mounds and
walls of Christian hovels, which encumber and
nearly conceal the ruins of Medeenet Haboo, hav-
ing passed several remains of other ancient build-
ings which once covered the intermediate space.
Among these, the most remarkable are at the north-
north-east corner of the mounds, where, besides in-
numerable fragments of sandstone, are the vestiges
of two large colossi.
The ruins at Medeenet Haboo f are undoubtedly
of one of the four temples^ mentioned by Diodorus ;
the other three being those of Kamak, Luqsor, and
the Memnonium, or first Remeseum. Strabo, whose
own observation, added to the testimony of several
also means " blue," and may hence have been originally applied
to blue or deep streams. Neeleh is the Arabic name for indigo.
The Egyptian god Nilus was painted of a blue colour. The ancient
name of ocean is then still retained, and the epithet aetos, " the
eagle," is preserved in the modern name Tyar, " the flyer," which
is applied to the current of this river. But may not Bahr be re-
lated to the Piaro, " river," (pronounced Biaro) of the Copts ?
* M. Savary, M. Dolomieu, and others. " Rusticus expectat
dum defluat amnis."
f " The city of Haboo," a traditional king, who is said to have
erected it.
I Lib. i. s. 46.