DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1035#0211
Chap. IV.] THE PRINCIPAL BUILDING. 173
names appear in different parts of the building-,
among which are those of Amyrteus and Alexander
on the inner and outer gateways of the area.
The principal entrance of the grand temple lies
on the north-west side, or that facing the river.
From a raised platform commences the avenue
of Criosphinxes * leading to the front propyla,
before which stood two granite statues of a Pha-
raoh.j" One of these towers retains a great part of
its original height, but has lost its summit and cor-
nice. In the upper part their solid walls have been
perforated through their whole breadth, for the
purpose of fastening the timbers that secured the
flag-staffs usually placed in front of these propyla ;
but no sculptures have ever been added to either
face, nor was the surface yet levelled J to receive
them. Passing through the pylon of these towers,
you arrive at a large open court, two hundred and
seventy-five feet by three hundred and twenty-nine,
with a covered corridor on either side, and a double
line of columns down the centre.§ Other pro-
* These, like many other sphinxes, have an Osiride figure of
the king attached to their breast.
f No doubt of Remeses II., who added the front area and pro-;
pyla. The three isolated chambers in this area are of the second
predecessor of Remeses III.
| I have already noticed in chap, vi., and in my " Extracts,"
p. 14, the real acceptation of this expression of Herodotus when
speaking of the pyramids, which has been translated " to cover
with a casing."
§ I merely now propose giving the position and dimensions of
the principal parts of this temple, according to their architectural
names appear in different parts of the building-,
among which are those of Amyrteus and Alexander
on the inner and outer gateways of the area.
The principal entrance of the grand temple lies
on the north-west side, or that facing the river.
From a raised platform commences the avenue
of Criosphinxes * leading to the front propyla,
before which stood two granite statues of a Pha-
raoh.j" One of these towers retains a great part of
its original height, but has lost its summit and cor-
nice. In the upper part their solid walls have been
perforated through their whole breadth, for the
purpose of fastening the timbers that secured the
flag-staffs usually placed in front of these propyla ;
but no sculptures have ever been added to either
face, nor was the surface yet levelled J to receive
them. Passing through the pylon of these towers,
you arrive at a large open court, two hundred and
seventy-five feet by three hundred and twenty-nine,
with a covered corridor on either side, and a double
line of columns down the centre.§ Other pro-
* These, like many other sphinxes, have an Osiride figure of
the king attached to their breast.
f No doubt of Remeses II., who added the front area and pro-;
pyla. The three isolated chambers in this area are of the second
predecessor of Remeses III.
| I have already noticed in chap, vi., and in my " Extracts,"
p. 14, the real acceptation of this expression of Herodotus when
speaking of the pyramids, which has been translated " to cover
with a casing."
§ I merely now propose giving the position and dimensions of
the principal parts of this temple, according to their architectural