particularly famous, for they had Engines whereby they could raise their
_Obelisques_, and hoist up vast Stones to so incredible and prodigious a
height as their _Pyramids_ are. They also devis’d other wonderful
Machines for divers purposes, as some for dreining Marshes, others for
watering Gardens, of which _Diodorus Siculus_ says, In the pensile
Garden of _Semiramis_ there was an Engine, that, thro’ certain Conduits
or Conveyances from the Platform of the Garden, drew a great quantity of
Water out of the River, yet no Body was the wiser or knew how it was
done. A third sort of Machines they had for destroying and confounding
their Enemy, with which last they had once almost reduc’d _Julius Cæsar_
to extream despair, when he invested _Alexandria_ with his whole Army;
for as _Aulus Hirtius_, Writer of that War, relates, _Ganymedes_ with
Wheels and other Machines of great force, pump’d the Water out of the
Sea, and threw it from high Places, with that great force and violence
on _Cæsar_’s Men, that they thought of raising the Seige. He farther
adds, That by those means he also made all their Water so salt they
could not drink it. But besides these they had a sort of Water-Works for
pleasure, as their _Organa Hydraulica_ or Water-Organs, and others for
measuring Time, as the _Clepsydra_ or Water-Hour-Glass. They had
likewise other Machines which mov’d with the Air or Wind, and some
_Automata_ that went by invisible Springs; for, as _Cælius Rhodiginus_
relates, the _Egyptians_ made some Statues of their Gods both to walk of
themselves, and also to utter certain Words articulately. As to their
Motion, that may be ascrib’d to some Wheels and Springs within, and
their Voice or Speech, to some Air forc’d up thro’ Pipes plac’d in their
Heads and Mouths. _Kircher_ in _Tom._ 2. _Oed. Ægyptiac._ gives many
Examples of _Pneumatical_ Engines, among the _Egyptians_, in their
Temples. Yet is there none so remarkable as the Statue of _Memnon_,
which was made by the _Theban_ Priests with that Art and Contrivance,
that in the Morning, on the rising of the Sun, and the striking of its
Beams upon it, it utter’d a kind of Music. This was so famous a piece of
Work, that Men travell’d from far to see it. _Lucian_ the _Sophister_
went to view that Miracle, as he terms it, and as he tells us in his
_Philopseudes_. The same did the Emperor _Severus_, as _Spartianus_
informs us, and _Germanicus_, as _Tacitus_, and _Strabo_, that judicious
_Geographer_, went to see it; the like did _Apollonius Tyanæus_, as
_Philostratus_ writes, which Matter need not seem fabulous, says
_Natalis Comes_, to any that shall understand the Power of Art and Human
Wit, nor how expert the _Theban_ Priests were in all _Mathematical
Sciences_. But I need say no more in particular of their Art of
Building, Carving or Painting, [Sidenote: Their wonderful _Works_ in
_Architecture_.] since those will appear much more conspicuous by a
Relation of such stupendious and beautiful Works as were the City of
_Thebes_, together with its stately Sepulchres, Obelisks and Temples,
all built by them. The Sepulchre of King _Osymandua_, the Cities of
_Memphis_, _Cairo_, _Babylon_ and _Alexandria_, the Tower of _Pharos_,
the long Wall built by _Sesostris_, the _Labyrinth_, their _Pyramids_,
_Obelisks_, _Columns_, _Colossus’s_, _Statues_, _Sphinx’s_, _Monuments_,
_Subterranean Vaults_ and _Lamps_, and other like admirable Works,
testifie their extraordinary Skill and Ingenuity in all kinds of Arts to
be such, as neither the _Greeks_, _Romans_, nor any other Nation were
afterwards capable of. But that you may not, Sir, be put off with a bare
enumeration of them, I will give such a particular account of them, as
will, I dare say, not only surprise and divert the Reader, but also lead
him into every minute Circumstance of their _Embalming_.
[Sidenote: _Thebes._]
_First_ then of _Thebes_, a very rich and glorious City, once the Regal
Metropolis of all _Egypt_, and built by _Busyris_, who resided in it. It
was call’d by the _Egyptians_ _Heliopolis_, or the City of the _Sun_,
and by _Strabo_, _Diospolis_, or _Jupiter_’s City, by reason he was
there worshipp’d. It was in circuit about 140 Furlongs, or 17 Miles and
an half, and was adorn’d with so many stately Monuments both of Gold,
Silver and Ivory, such multitudes of Colossus’s and Obelisks, cut out of
entire Stone, such exceeding splendid Temples, Palaces and Tombs of the
old _Egyptian Pharaohs_, and other such like Ornaments and stupendious
Rarities, that it was not only look’d upon to be the most beautiful and
stately City of _Egypt_, but of all others in the World; for it is
recorded, that not only King _Busyris_, but all his Successors also from
Time to Time beautify’d and adorn’d it, and ’tis certain it had in it
20000 Chariots of War, and that there were 100 Stables all along the
River, from _Memphis_ to _Thebes_, towards _Libya_, each of which was
capable of containing 200 Horses. _Pomponius Mela_ says, _Thebes_ was so
exceeding Populous, it could draw out of every Gate 10000 armed Men, and
that the _Greek_ Word _Hecatompolis_, which as some think signifies an
hundred Gates, according to which, _Thebes_ was so call’d by _Homer_, is
not to be understood literally, but rather to be explain’d to relate to
an hundred Palaces, in which so many Princes had their Residence.
_Pliny_, Lib. 36. c 14. will have the whole City to have stood upon
Arches, so made on purpose, that the _Egyptian_ Kings might march their
Armies this way and that way under the Houses, without being discover’d.
In this City were also four Temples, very wonderful for their beauty and
largeness, of which, the most antient was 13 Furlongs, or above a Mile
and half in circuit, and 45 Cubits high, and had a Wall 24 Foot thick.
The Ornaments of this Temple were suitably magnificent both for Cost and
Workmanship, and the Fabric continu’d ’till _Diodorus Siculus_’s Time,
but the Silver, Gold, and other Ornaments of Ivory and precious Stones,
were carry’d away by the _Persians_ at such Time as _Cambyses_ burn’d
the Temples of _Egypt_. ‘Here, says _Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 1. cap. 4.
were the wonderful Sepulchres of the antient Kings of _Egypt_, which for
State and Grandeur far exceeded all that Posterity could attain to even
to this Day. The _Egyptian_ Priests say, That in their Sacred Records
there were register’d 47 of these Sepulchres, yet which is not only
reported by the _Egyptians_, but by many of the _Grecians_ likewise, who
travel’d to _Thebes_ in the Time of _Ptolemeus Lagus_, and wrote
Histories of _Egypt_. Among these, one was _Hecatæus_, who agrees with
what _Diodorus_ relates, _viz._ That when he was there, which was in the
180th _Olympiad_, there remain’d only 17 of these Sepulchres. [Sidenote:
_Osymandua_’s Tomb.] Of the first of these, that of King _Osymandua_ was
10 Furlongs in compass, and at the entrance, they say, there was a
Portico of vari-colour’d Marble, 45 Cubits in height and 200 Feet long.
Thence going forward, you came into a four square Stone-Gallery, every
Square being 400 Feet, supported by Beasts instead of Pillars, each of
which was of an entire Stone, 16 Cubits high, and Carv’d after the
antique manner. The Roof was also entirely of Stone, each Stone being 8
Cubits broad, with an azure Sky all bespangl’d with Stars. Passing out
of this, you enter’d another Portico like the former, but more curiously
carv’d, and adorn’d with greater variety. At the entrance stood 3
Statues, each of one entire Stone, being the Workmanship of _Memnon_ of
_Scienitas_. One of these was sitting, whose Foot measur’d 7 Cubits, and
in the whole magnitude, exceeded all other Statues in _Egypt_. The other
two were much less, reaching but to the Knee, the one standing on the
right Hand, and the other on the left, being the Mother and Daughter.
This Piece is not only commendable for its greatness, but likewise
admirable for its Workmanship, and the excellency of the Stone, that in
so great a Work there was not to be discern’d the least flaw or blemish.
Upon the Tomb there was this Inscription:
‘_I am_ Osymandua, _King of Kings; if any would know how Great I am,
and where I lye, let him excel me in any of my Works_.
‘There was likewise at the second Gate another Statue, of the Mother by
her self, of one Stone, 20 Cubits high; upon her Head were plac’d Three
Crowns, to denote she was both Daughter, Wife and Mother of a King. Near
this Portico, they say, there was another Gallery, more remarkable than
the former, in which were various Sculptures representing his Wars with
the _Bactrians_, who had revolted from him, against whom, ’tis said, he
march’d with 400000 Foot and 20000 Horse, which Army he divided into
four Bodies, and appointed his Sons Generals of the whole.
‘In the first Wall might be seen the King assaulting a Bulwark environ’d
with the River, and fighting at the head of his Men, against some that
made up against him, assisted by a Lion in a terrible posture; which
some affirm must be understood to be a real Lion that the King bred up
tame, went along with him in all his Wars, and by his great strength
ever put the Enemy to flight. Others make this Construction, that the
King being a Prince of extraordinary Courage and Strength, he was
willing to set forth his own Praises and bravery of Spirit, by the
representation of a Lion. In the second Wall were carv’d the Captives
dragg’d after the King, represented without Hands and Privy Members, to
signifie that they were effeminate Spirits, and had no Hands when they
came to fight. The third Wall represented all sorts of Sculptures and
curious Images, in which were set forth the King’s Sacrificing of Oxen,
and his Triumphs in that War. In the middle of the _Perystilion_ or
Portico, open to the Air at top, was rear’d an Altar of polish’d Marble,
being of excellent Workmanship, and equally to be admir’d for its
Magnitude. In the last Wall were two Statues, each of entire Stone, 27
Cubits high, near which three Passages open’d out of the Portico into a
stately Room, supported by Pillars, like a Theatre for Music. Every side
of the Theatre was 200 Feet square. Here were many Statues of Wood,
representing Pleaders and Spectators looking upon the Judges. Those
which were carv’d on one of the Walls were 30 in number, and in the
middle sat the Chief Justice, with the Image of Truth hanging about his
Neck, his Eyes clos’d, and many Books lying before him. This signify’d
that a Judge ought not to take any Bribes, but only to regard the Truth
and Merits of the Cause. Next adjoyning was a Gallery full of diverse
Apartments, in which were all sorts of delicate Meats ready serv’d up.
Near this was represented the King himself, curiously carv’d and painted
in glorious Colours, offering as much Gold and Silver to the Gods as he
yearly receiv’d out of his Mines. The Sum was there inscrib’d (according
to the rate of Silver) to amount unto 32 Millions of [4]_Mina’s_, which
is about 100 Millions of Pounds Sterling. Next was the Sacred Library,
on which were inscrib’d these words, _The Cure of the Mind_. Adjoyning
to this were the Images of all the Gods in _Egypt_, to every one of
which the King was making Offerings, peculiarly belonging to each of
them, that _Osiris_ and all his Associates, who were plac’d at his Feet,
might understand his Piety towards the Gods, and his Righteousness
towards Men. Next to the Library was a stately Room, wherein were 20
Beds to set upon, richly adorn’d, in which were the Images of _Jupiter_
and _Juno_ together with the Kings, and here it’s suppos’d the King’s
Body lay interr’d. Round the Room are many Apartments, wherein are to be
seen all the Beasts that are accounted Sacred in _Egypt_, very curiously
painted. Thence you ascend to the top of the Monument or Sepulchre,
which having mounted, there appears a Border of Gold round the Tomb of
365 Cubits in compass, and one in thickness; within the division of
every Cubit were the several Days of the Year ingraven, with the natural
Risings and Settings of the Stars, and their Significations, according
to the Observations of the _Egyptian_ Astrologers. In this manner they
describe the Sepulchre of King _Osymandua_, which seems far to exceed
all others both for Magnificence and curiosity of Workmanship.’ Now he
who shall seriously consider this, as also several other Passages in
_Herodotus_ and _Diodorus Siculus_ of the stupendious Works of the
_Egyptians_, says _Greaves_ in his _Pyramidographia_, p. 9. must needs
acknowledge, that for Magnificence, if not for Art, they far exceeded
the _Grecians_ and _Romans_, even when their Empires were at the highest
pitch and most flourishing: Wherefore those _Admiranda Romæ_, collected
by _Justus Lipsius_, are hardly admirable, if compar’d with some of
these. At this Day there is scarce any great Column or Obelisk remaining
in _Rome_ worthy of Note, which has not antiently been brought hither
out of _Egypt_.
Footnote 4:
Every _Mina_ is about 3_l._ 2_s._ 6_d._
_Thebes_ sunk and fell to decay, upon removing the Court to _Memphis_,
[Sidenote: _Memphis._] a great and eminent City, built by _Uchoreus_, as
_Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 1. relates, but _Sandys_ says ’twas built by
_Ogdoo_, and call’d _Memphis_ after the Name of his Daughter,
compress’d, as they feign, by _Nilus_ in the likeness of a Bull.
Hereupon this became the Regal City, and Strength and Glory of all
_Egypt_, being exceeding Populous, and adorn’d with a world of
Antiquities. It was particularly famous for the Temple of _Apis_, the
Subterranean Vaults or Burying-Places, and the Pyramids or stately
Sepulchres of the Kings, erected within a few Miles of it.
[Illustration:
M: V^{dr} Gucht Sculp:
To the Honourable James Saunderson Esqꝫ, who has been pleas’d to
encourage this Work, this Plate is humbly dedicated by his most
humble Servant Thomas Greenhill.
]
The God most esteem’d by the _Egyptians_, and ador’d at _Memphis_,
[Sidenote: The God _Apis_.] was _Apis_, a coal-black Ox, with a white
Mark on his Forehead, the figure of an Eagle on his Back, and having
Hair on his Tail of two kinds. When this God happen’d to die, none
valu’d their Hair, tho’, as _Lucian_ says, they had as good as _Nisus_,
but shav’d it all off in token of their Grief. Also _Diodorus Siculus_,
Lib. 1. cap. 6. says, They were then as much concern’d, as at the Death
of their own Children, and laid out in the Burial of this God, as much,
if not more than all their Goods were worth; for when _Apis_ thro’ old
Age dy’d at _Memphis_, in the Reign of _Ptolomeus Lagus_, his Keeper not
only spent all the Provision he had heap’d up, in burying him, but also
borrow’d of _Ptolomy_ 50 Talents of Silver for the same purpose. Nay
even in our Time, says the same Author, some of the Keepers of these
Sacred Creatures, have lavish’d away no less than 100 Talents, in
maintaining them whilst alive. After the pompous Funeral of _Apis_ was
over, those Priests that had the charge of the Matter, sought out
another Calf, which they substituted in its stead, with the same Marks
as the former; and this pass’d for a great Miracle among them, but
certainly it was not difficult for evil Spirits, who might take pleasure
in deceiving these People, to represent to a Cow, when she went to Bull,
an Ox with those Marks, as _Jacob_ made the Goats and Sheep of the same
colours, by placing speckl’d Rods before the Eyes of the Dams at the
Time of their Coition. Thus, having found an Ox to their Mind, an end
was immediately put to all further Mourning and Lamentation, and the
young God was led by the Priests thro’ the City of _Nilopolis_, fed 40
Days, and afterwards put into a Barge, in a golden Cabbin, transported
to _Memphis_, and plac’d in _Vulcan_’s Grove. For the Adoration of this
Ox, they give this Reason, _viz._ That the Soul of _Osiris_ pass’d into
the Ox _Apis_, and consequently into all the rest that were successively
substituted in his stead: [Sidenote: Sepulchre of _Osiris_.] But some
say, the Members of _Osiris_, kill’d by _Typhon_, were thrown by _Isis_
into an Ox made of Wood, and cover’d with Ox-Hides (from whence the City
of _Busiris_ took its Name;) and this, as it is reported, she did,
because, as she was in search of her Husband, a very handsome Bull
appear’d to her, which she believ’d to be him, and whom she afterwards
caus’d to be Honour’d in _Egypt_, under the Figure of that Animal. Many
other Things are fabulously reported of _Apis_, which would be too
tedious to relate in particular; therefore I need only consider whether
the Adoration and Worship of that Creature, came first in use from being
the Sepulchre of _Osiris_, [Sidenote: Of _Mycerinus_’s Daughter.] or
from the Account _Herodotus_ in his _Euterpe_ gives of the Daughter of
_Mycerinus_, bury’d in like manner, which we shall here relate, _viz._
That one of the _Egyptian_ Kings, _Mycerinus_ by Name, seeing himself
depriv’d of Heirs by the Death of his Daughter and only Child, spar’d
nothing whereby he might express how sensibly he was touch’d with this
Loss, and consequently indeavour’d to immortalize her Memory, by the
most superb and sumptuous Structure he could possibly devise. Instead
therefore of a Monument he order’d a Palace to be erected for her, with
a great Hall in the midst of it, adorn’d with abundance of Figures and
Statues, all glittering with precious Stones. After this, he caus’d her
Corps to be deposited in a Coffin of incorruptible Wood, fashion’d after
the likeness of an Ox, which was cover’d all over with Plates of Gold,
and had a purple Mantle cast over it. The Figure of this Ox was
kneeling, having a Sun of Massy Gold between his Horns, and being
enlightn’d by a Lamp hanging before him, whose Flames were fed with a
most odoriferous Oil. Round about the Hall stood Perfuming-Pans and
Censers, which continually threw up clouds of sweet Scents and Perfumes.
In another Parlour adjoyning to this, stood about 20 great Images,
partly naked and carv’d in Wood, which as the Priests report were the
Concubines of _Mycerinus_. But some there are who speak otherwise of
this Ox and those Figures, _viz._ That _Mycerinus_ falling in Love with
his Daughter ravish’d her, who thereupon hanging herself for Grief, her
Father bury’d her in this Ox, and the Servants who betray’d the
Daughter, and slew the Mother, were represented by these Images, as
having been accessary to such Wickedness. This Sepulchral Story, _Porus_
has very well delineated in _Porcachius_, after the manner you’ll find
represented in this first Plate. But to return to the City _Memphis_,
said to have been in circuit about 20 Miles; _Greaves_ tells us, there
is not now so much as the Ruines of any such Place to be seen, altho’
Monsieur _Thevenot_ affirms, those pretty near the _Mummies_, enclining
towards the _Nile_, are doubtless the Ruines of that City, whose
Inhabitants, even at this Day, in imitation of their Ancestors, bury
their Dead without the Gates, and consequently make use of the Plain for
a Burying-Place. Yet _Sandys_ avers, ’tis not likely they should carry
their Dead so far, when they have as convenient a place belonging to
their City, and this is also agreeable to what some of the Ancients
write, _viz._ [Sidenote: _Subterranean Caves._] That on these
Subterranean Caves the City _Memphis_, and several other Places
thereabouts were built, as on so many Vaults or Arches. Without doubt
they bury’d in both places, tho’ cheifly in the Plains of _Egypt_ and
_Libya_, where, in Caves and Grots under Ground, are said to be about 40
Sepulchres of their Kings. In these they were very curious, sparing no
cost, but roofing them over like so many great Halls, and dividing them
into several Apartments, with Passages out of one into the other,
alotting also to each Family or Person, one suitable to his Quality and
Expense he had been at in making them. These were like those _Hypogea_
of the _Greeks_, or _Cryptæ_ of the _Romans_, p. 95, 96. and are thus
describ’d by _Sandys_, p. 103. Not far above _Memphis_, near the brow of
the _Libyan_ Desarts, and straitning of the Mountains, are the
Sepulchres or Graves of the antient _Egyptians_, who have been there
from the first inhabiting that Country, and who coveted that place of
Burial, as suppos’d to contain the Body of _Osiris_. When discover’d,
they are to be seen after this manner: By the removal of a certain
square Stone (which is very close fitted, and cover’d over with Sand for
privacy sake) a descent appears like the narrow mouth of a Well, with
holes on each side of the Wall to descend by, yet which are so
troublesome, that many, says _Sandys_, who go thither on purpose to see
them, refuse to go down into them. Some of these are near 10 Fathom
deep, leading into long Vaults, hewn out of Rocks, with Pillars of the
same, and which seem to have belong’d to particular Families: Under
every Arch lye the Bodies that have been _Embalm’d_, &c. Here also are
several Pyramids and Obelisks to be seen, adorn’d with _Hieroglyphical_
Inscriptions, which set forth the Riches and Power of those Kings; but
these we shall more particularly treat of in another place, and
therefore here only represent to you the _Ichnography_ and
_Schenography_ of the antient Burial-Places of the _Egyptians_, near the
_Pyramids_, out of which the _Mummies_ are brought, with a Prospect of
_Memphis_, _Babylon_, _Cairo_, &c. The Scituation and Disposition of
these, I presume, will appear very plainly describ’d in this second
Plate, taken out of _Johannes Nardius_, at the end of his _Lucretius_,
with the Mistakes amended.
[Illustration:
J. Kip Sculp.
To Nathaniel Long Esq_{ꝫ} who has been pleas’d to encourage this Work,
this Plate is humbly dedicated by
His most humble Servant Thomas Greenhill.
]
A. The Ruines of the antient City of _Memphis_.
B. The City of _Babylon_, now _Grand Cairo_.
C. The River _Nile_ flowing from _South_ to _North_.
D. A carv’d Stone the Cover of the Well.
E. The Well or Passage thro’ which they descended into the arch’d
Chamber.
F. A Stone-Coffin carv’d with _Hieroglyphicks_, containing another
of Wood mark’d G. which that it may be the better seen, is shown in
another place, having an Image standing thereon, and some Tutelar
Gods. At the Well or Passage E. a Servant holding by a Rope,
descends with his Master upon his Shoulders, whom having set down at
the bottom of the Well, he creeps upon his Belly through a Foramen
at H. and then enters into a magnificent arch’d Chamber, in the
middle of which is plac’d a Marble-Tomb, F. having a _Mummy_ in it.
Out of this, many Passages lead into other Chambers, which are so
numerous and intricate, the way out is almost as difficult to find,
as that of a Labyrinth.
From _Memphis_, the Court of the _Egyptian_ Kings is said to have
remov’d to _Alexandria_, and afterwards to _Cairo_; [Sidenote:
_Babylon._] but in respect that _Babylon_, now _Cairo_, lies opposite to
_Memphis_, as is seen at Letter B, and this second Plate thereby better
describ’d, I will begin with that first. This, in opposition to the
great City of _Babylon_ in _Chaldæa_, built by _Semiramis_, was also for
distinction sake call’d the _Egyptian Babylon_: It is said to have been
founded by _Cambyses_ the _Persian_ Monarch, the first that made this
Kingdom stoop to the Yoke of a Foreign Power, and was by him peopled
with some _Babylonians_ or _Chaldæans_ transplanted thither. It stood at
some distance towards the _South_ of _Cairo_, where now appear nothing
hardly but great Mountains of Ruines, among which many of the Christian
Temples and Monasteries lye in rubbish. The Castle hereof serv’d long
after for a Garrison of three Legions, appointed to defend this Country
in the Time of the _Romans_. Adjoyning to this Castle are Store-Houses,
[Sidenote: _Granaries_ of _Joseph_.] suppos’d to be of the Granaries of
_Joseph_, which, as they say, he built, and therein laid up Corn against
the ensuing Famine. In all they were seven, but now three only are
standing, which are also employ’d to the same use: From hence, for the
space of 20 Miles up the River, there are nothing but Ruines.
[Sidenote: Old _Cairo_.]