DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1035#0421
380 ANTINOE OR ANTIN00P0LIS, [Chap. VI.
numerous bones of mummied cats and dogs are
strewed upon the surface, which, in all probabi-
lity, had been wrapped up in mats, like those still
found buried in the sand at a short distance below
this spot.*
At Shekh Timay are some catacombs and lime-
stone quarries; and traces of the gisr el agoos are
met with upon the low hills near the river.
The inhabitants of all the villages, from Beni
Hassan to the vicinity of Manfaloot, are notorious
thieves, and additional precautions are in conse-
quence necessary when stopping at night in so bad
a neighbourhood.
Shekh Abadehf is the modern name of Anti-
noopolis. It is also called Ansina and Medeenet
On'tholee, and the town of Antinoe itself succeeded
to the more ancient Besa. Little now remains of
this city, except the theatre near the southern gate,
and the Hippodrome without the walls on the east
side : but the directions of the principal streets may
still be traced, one of which extended nearly in a
right line from the vicinity of the theatre to the
northwards, for a distance of about three thousand
feet. Towards its southern extremity stood £ a
* I am indebted to Dr. Hogg for the hieroglyphics and descrip-
tion of the Speos.
f So called, according to Vansleb, from Ammonius el A'bed
{the Devout), a Christian martyr.
I These, as well as the columns of Alexander Severus, have
been destroyed by the Turks, and burnt for lime; and the em-
ployment of limestone in the construction of its buildings has been
the chief cause of the present dilapidated state of Antinoe.
numerous bones of mummied cats and dogs are
strewed upon the surface, which, in all probabi-
lity, had been wrapped up in mats, like those still
found buried in the sand at a short distance below
this spot.*
At Shekh Timay are some catacombs and lime-
stone quarries; and traces of the gisr el agoos are
met with upon the low hills near the river.
The inhabitants of all the villages, from Beni
Hassan to the vicinity of Manfaloot, are notorious
thieves, and additional precautions are in conse-
quence necessary when stopping at night in so bad
a neighbourhood.
Shekh Abadehf is the modern name of Anti-
noopolis. It is also called Ansina and Medeenet
On'tholee, and the town of Antinoe itself succeeded
to the more ancient Besa. Little now remains of
this city, except the theatre near the southern gate,
and the Hippodrome without the walls on the east
side : but the directions of the principal streets may
still be traced, one of which extended nearly in a
right line from the vicinity of the theatre to the
northwards, for a distance of about three thousand
feet. Towards its southern extremity stood £ a
* I am indebted to Dr. Hogg for the hieroglyphics and descrip-
tion of the Speos.
f So called, according to Vansleb, from Ammonius el A'bed
{the Devout), a Christian martyr.
I These, as well as the columns of Alexander Severus, have
been destroyed by the Turks, and burnt for lime; and the em-
ployment of limestone in the construction of its buildings has been
the chief cause of the present dilapidated state of Antinoe.