DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1035#0535
492 TEMPLE AT DERR OF THE [Chap. VII.
them, and thus unintentionally protected them from
the ravages of time. Ra was the deity of the sanc-
tuary, but Amunre holds a conspicuous place among
the contemplar gods. A portico, a transverse cor-
ridor, and three inner chambers, the central one of
which is the adytum, constitute the whole of this
small but elegant temple.
The district about Derr, on the east bank,
abounds in date trees ; and between that town and
Korosko they reckon 20,000 that are taxed.
Derr, the capital of Nubia, is a short distance to
the south of Hassaia, on the opposite bank. It is
worthy of remark that all the temples between the
two cataracts, except Derr, Ibreem, and Ferayq,
are situated on the west side of the Nile; and
instead of lying on the arable land are all built on
the sandy plain, or hewn in the rock—from their
finding it necessary to keep the small portion of
land they possessed for cultivation, while the towns
and temples occupied what could be of no utility
to the inhabitants.
The temple of Derr is of the time of Remeses
the Great, and presents some of the spirited sculp-
tures of that epoch, though in a very mutilated state.
In the area was a battle scene, but little now remains
except the imperfect traces of chariots and horses,
and some confused figures. On the wall of the
temple the king is represented, in the presence of
Amunre, slaying the prisoners he has taken, and ac-
companied by a lion. This.calls to mind the account
them, and thus unintentionally protected them from
the ravages of time. Ra was the deity of the sanc-
tuary, but Amunre holds a conspicuous place among
the contemplar gods. A portico, a transverse cor-
ridor, and three inner chambers, the central one of
which is the adytum, constitute the whole of this
small but elegant temple.
The district about Derr, on the east bank,
abounds in date trees ; and between that town and
Korosko they reckon 20,000 that are taxed.
Derr, the capital of Nubia, is a short distance to
the south of Hassaia, on the opposite bank. It is
worthy of remark that all the temples between the
two cataracts, except Derr, Ibreem, and Ferayq,
are situated on the west side of the Nile; and
instead of lying on the arable land are all built on
the sandy plain, or hewn in the rock—from their
finding it necessary to keep the small portion of
land they possessed for cultivation, while the towns
and temples occupied what could be of no utility
to the inhabitants.
The temple of Derr is of the time of Remeses
the Great, and presents some of the spirited sculp-
tures of that epoch, though in a very mutilated state.
In the area was a battle scene, but little now remains
except the imperfect traces of chariots and horses,
and some confused figures. On the wall of the
temple the king is represented, in the presence of
Amunre, slaying the prisoners he has taken, and ac-
companied by a lion. This.calls to mind the account