A Winter on the Nile, in Egypt, and in Nubia (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1888. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter X. The Temple of Denderah.--Its Magnificence.--Solemn Ceremonies.--Portrait of Cleopatra.--Partial Destruction of Temple.--View from the Roof.--Return to the Boat.--Thebes.--The Temple of Karnak.--The Temple and Obelisk of Luxor.--Gigantic Columns.--Sculpture of Shishank.--Ride back to Hotel.--" Sunset on the Nile." 'I "he beautiful temple of Denderah is dedicated to-. Hathor, the Egyptian Venus, and the nurse of Horus, son of Osiris and Isis, and is comparatively modern, belonging to the period of the Ptolemies and the Caesars. Every temple or tomb in Egypt that does not date from three or four thousand years before Christ is considered modern, and therefore is not stamped with that seal of antiquity which in the eyes of many gives a value to a building beyond any other. Antiquity has its interest, but so has beauty; and the works of the Ptolemies and the Csesars are not to be passed by with a sneer because comparatively new. The temple of Denderah was begun by Cleopatra, and not finished till the reign of Nero. Belzoni extols it as the most magnificent he had seen, the temple of denderah. 93 and says that he was more impressed by it than by any other. It is indeed a magnificent temple, with a grand portico, and the walls are covered with innumerable inscriptions and bas-reliefs, and an infinite number of sculptured figures. The great hall has twenty-four columns of great size, crowned with heads of Isis, and adorned with carvings and hieroglyphicsEvery wall and pillar and frieze has its own special adornment, worked out in the most minute detail; while on the architrave above are processions of priests and warriors, kings and gods, sculptured in the most delicate and beautiful manner. On the ceiling of the portico is a painting of the famous zodiac of ...