DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0153
136 DOMESTIC HABITS OF THE EGYPTIANS.
Though the pyramidal towers are one of the most striking
features of the Egyptian temple, they were wanting in early
times ; but the pyramidal or sloping line was a peculiarity of
every building. Colossal dimensions have also been looked
upon as an essential feature of Egyptian architecture ; but its
true character and object were strength and durability rather
than size, and whether the monuments were large or small,
these were always necessary conditions. Of the three pre-
scribed by Yitruvius, " utility, strength, and beauty," Egyptian
temples possess in an eminent degree the first as well as the
second; and if the crude brick materials of houses were not
equally durable, they were not wanting in strength, and might
shame the ephemeral productions of modern civilisation.
It was not till the Egyptians had advanced considerably in
wealth, and in the love of grandeur, that their temples became
remarkable for their size, and the oldest were of moderate
dimensions. It is, however, true, that size was a tendency of
their taste; and the pyramids, which are the oldest monuments
that remain, are of enormous magnitude. But these may not
perhaps be admitted as specimens of a style of architecture;
they are monumental, and many people erected large sepulchral
monuments to the dead, long before they devised a system of
architecture.
The smaller size of temples erected between the age of the
pyramids and the eighteenth dynasty was not owing to any
want of masonic skill, since the much older pyramids attest
the perfect knowledge of all the principles of construction
possessed centuries before by the Egyptians; and it is with
amazement that we perceive how long they must have been
previously acquainted with the use of squared stone, and even
of squared granite the blocks of which are hown, and fitted
together in the interior with a precision which no modern or
Though the pyramidal towers are one of the most striking
features of the Egyptian temple, they were wanting in early
times ; but the pyramidal or sloping line was a peculiarity of
every building. Colossal dimensions have also been looked
upon as an essential feature of Egyptian architecture ; but its
true character and object were strength and durability rather
than size, and whether the monuments were large or small,
these were always necessary conditions. Of the three pre-
scribed by Yitruvius, " utility, strength, and beauty," Egyptian
temples possess in an eminent degree the first as well as the
second; and if the crude brick materials of houses were not
equally durable, they were not wanting in strength, and might
shame the ephemeral productions of modern civilisation.
It was not till the Egyptians had advanced considerably in
wealth, and in the love of grandeur, that their temples became
remarkable for their size, and the oldest were of moderate
dimensions. It is, however, true, that size was a tendency of
their taste; and the pyramids, which are the oldest monuments
that remain, are of enormous magnitude. But these may not
perhaps be admitted as specimens of a style of architecture;
they are monumental, and many people erected large sepulchral
monuments to the dead, long before they devised a system of
architecture.
The smaller size of temples erected between the age of the
pyramids and the eighteenth dynasty was not owing to any
want of masonic skill, since the much older pyramids attest
the perfect knowledge of all the principles of construction
possessed centuries before by the Egyptians; and it is with
amazement that we perceive how long they must have been
previously acquainted with the use of squared stone, and even
of squared granite the blocks of which are hown, and fitted
together in the interior with a precision which no modern or