_Sycamore_, a large Tree, very plentifully growing in _Egypt_ and
_Judæa_, which bears Leaves like to the _Mulberry_-Tree, but larger, and
Fruit like to a Fig, not sprouting from the Branches, but from the Stock
or Body of the Tree. ’Tis call’d by us the _Egyptian_ Fig, by them
_Giumez_. Its Leaves afford a pleasant shade, its Fruit refreshment to
such as Travel in the Plains of those hot Countries, and its Wood serves
not only for Coffins but Buildings. ’Tis also a Tree so lasting and well
rooted, that the _Sycamore_ which _Zacheus_ ascended, is still shown in
_Judæa_ to Travellers, as is also the hollow _Sycamore_ at _Matarea_ in
_Egypt_, where the Blessed Virgin is said to have remain’d for some
Time, which tho’ it savour of the Legend, says Sir _Thomas Brown_ in his
Observations on _Scripture-Plants_, p. 12. yet it plainly shows what
Opinion the _Egyptians_ had of the lasting Condition of this Tree to
countenance their Tradition, of which likewise they might not be without
some Experience, since the Learned _Greaves_ observes, _p._ 57. that the
old _Egyptians_ made Coffins of this Wood, of which there are many
frequently found among the _Mummies_, very fair, entire and free from
Corruption even at this Day, nay after the Revolution perhaps of 3000
Years. Of these Coffins _Greaves_ tells us, _p._ 50. he had seen many
fashion’d after the likeness of a Man, or rather resembling one of those
_Embalm’d_ Bodies, which, as we have describ’d before, are bound about
with Fillets or Roulers, and wrapp’d in a Shroud of Linnen; for as in
those there is the shape of a Head, with a kind of painted Vizard or
Mask fastned to them, but without any appearance of their Arms or Legs,
in like manner is it with these Coffins, the Lids of which have the
shape of the Head of a Man, with a Face painted on it resembling a
Woman, the residue being one continued Trunk. At the end of this Trunk
is a Pedestal somewhat broad, on which it stood upright in the
Reconditory, as _Herodotus_ relates. Some of these Coffins are handsomly
painted without with several _Hieroglyphics_; opening two of them he
found within, over the Body, [Sidenote: _Scroles_ painted with
_Characters_, &c.] divers Scroles fastned to the Linnen-Shroud: These
were painted with Sacred _Characters_, in Colours very lively and fresh,
among which were, in a larger size, the Pictures both of Men and Women,
some headed like Hawks, others like Dogs, _&c._ These Scroles ran either
down the Belly and Sides, or else were plac’d on the Knees and Legs. On
the Feet was a Linnen-Cover (and so were all the Scroles
before-mention’d of Linnen, it being not lawful for them to use Woollen)
painted with _Hieroglyphics_, and fashion’d like a high Slipper. On the
Breast was a kind of Breast-Plate, made with folds of Linnen cut
Scallop-wise, richly painted and gilt. In the midst of the bend at the
top, was the Face of a Woman with her Arms extended, on each side, at
the two outmost ends, was the Head of a Hawk fairly gilt, by which they
represented the Divine Nature. Thus far _Greaves_. Moreover _Thevenot_,
_Bellonius_, _Nardius_ and others observe, [Sidenote: Several things
found included in the _Mummies_,] that the _Egyptians_ were wont to put
within the Cavities of the Breasts and Bellies of their _Embalm’d_
Bodies, such Things as they generally lov’d most in their Life-Time,
_viz._ Books, Writings, Arms, Medals, Money and pieces of Antiquity,
little Vessels, or any sort of antient Houshold-Goods; also little Idols
and Images of the Gods which they Worshipp’d whilst alive, _&c._
_Kircher_ tells us in his _Oedipus Ægyptiacus Theatr. Hierogl._ p. 420.
that _Nardius_ sent him two Roulers mark’d with _Hieroglyphics_, and
roul’d up in the manner of a Scrole, taken out of the Breast or Belly of
a Mummy; adding also that the _Egyptians_ did not only look on such
_Hieroglyphics_ as Symbols of the greatest Secrecy, but also that they
had a power to obtain Protection of those Gods to whom they were
fastned, and that these Roulers signify’d nothing else but the Funeral
Pomp, which was perform’d as magnificently as possible, especially if it
were of a King, Priest or the like, the Explanation whereof see in the
Page above-mention’d. _Gulielmus Rondeletus_, a Physician of
_Montpelier_, kept as a great Rarity 20 Leaves of antient Paper,
[Sidenote: as _Papers_,] taken out of the Breast of a _Mummy_, which was
fill’d with old _Arabic_ Letters, yet none could read it, tho’ the
_Jews_ of _Avignon_ conjectur’d it contain’d the Life of the Deceas’d;
but nothing is so commonly found in these Mummies, as Idols of various
sizes, tho’ generally about half a Foot or a Span long, form’d either of
Potters Earth, glaz’d or varnish’d and bak’d, or else of Stone, Metal,
Wood or the like. Some of all these kinds Mr. _Greaves_ brought over,
and particularly mentions one cut out of a _Magnes_ or Loadstone, in
the form and bigness of a _Scarabæus_: See _p._ 48. of his
_Pyramidographia_. _Camerarius_, _Horar. subcisivar._ Cent. 1. cap. 14.
speaks more remarkably of those made of Brass, [Sidenote:
_Brass-Images_,] affirming they were chiefly us’d in that manner, by
reason they had great Virtue to preserve dead Bodies from Putrifaction,
especially, since _Pierius_ in his Book of _Hieroglyphics_ witnesses,
that Brass-Nails were stuck into the Body for the same purpose; but this
is not to be credited by any one physically skill’d in the Virtues of
Minerals, _&c._ We have more reason to believe these Idols were so
plac’d out of Superstition, especially seeing many are the Figures of
_Isis_, _Osiris_, and other Gods; nor did they only place them in the
inside of dead Bodies, but also hung them there on the out-side, sewing
them to the Roulers and Ornaments, and likewise plac’d them in their
Sepulchres: These from their Office or Use were distinguish’d by several
Names, [Sidenote: _Averruncal_ and] such as _Averruncal_ or _Apotropæan_
Gods, so call’d because they were thought to avert Evil; [Sidenote:
_Prophylactic_ Statues.] others were term’d _Prophylactic_ Statues or
Portable _Amulets_, which they carry’d as Charms about their Necks, Arms
and Girdles; and a third sort, in general Esteem among them, [Sidenote:
_Serapes._] were the _Serapes_, the same with what the _Hebrews_ call’d
_Teraphim_, the _Latins_, _Penates_ and _Lares_, being _Tutelar_ Gods,
appointed to defend and keep certain Places, and some of these they
carry’d along with them where-ever they went. Of this number were
_Osiris_, _Isis_, _Nepthe_, _Horus_, _Harpocrates_, _Arveris_, _Apopis_
and innumerable others of the like kind, which altho’ they were all in
the Nature of _Genii_, and the same in Substance, differing only in
their Effects, yet, says _Kircher_, as they were deputed to the Custody
of private Things, so they obtain’d the Name of _Tutelar_ Gods, and were
accordingly Worshipp’d for private Deities. Thus some were Country-Gods,
others Defenders of Cities, and a third sort Keepers of private Houses.
There have been great numbers of these brought out of _Egypt_, of
various sizes and compos’d of different Matter, such as Earth, Stone,
Wood, Metal or the like, [Sidenote: Their _Forms_ and _Actions_.]
differing both in Form and Actions, some appearing like _Mummies_ and
roul’d up in the same manner, others with deform’d and threatning
Countenances thereby to strike an awe and terrifie, to which purpose
they held various Instruments in their Hands, such as Hooks and
Harping-Irons, Sheilds, Whips, and the like; but all these kinds of
Statues were adorn’d with _Hieroglyphic_ Characters both before and
behind, nay, some all over, whence they came to be call’d
_Polycharacteristic_ Statues, of which you may see above 50 several
Figures, with their Descriptions, in _Kircher_’s Book before-mention’d,
_Syntagma_ 16, 17, 18 and 19. I shall here therefore only insert two
Plates out of _Johannes Nardius_’s Annotations on _Lucretius_, whereof
all the Statues and Figures were in his own Custody and _Musæum_, and of
which the first Plate represents the foreside and backside of eight
Wooden Images, without either Arms or Legs, adorn’d in a manner with the
same Dresses, Ornaments and Characters as the _Mummies_, about a Cubit
and half long, which the _Egyptians_ were wont to place on their Tombs
and Coffins, as may be seen at _p._ 203. The 9th Figure shews a Linnen
Ornament for the Breast, distinctly painted with divers Colours, wherein
was express’d the true way of opening Bodies in order to their
_Embalming_; from which also appears, that they open’d the _Thorax_,
tho’ neither _Herodotus_ nor _Diodorus Siculus_ make any mention
thereof. The 10th Figure shews an Alabaster-Urn or Pot mark’d with
_Hieroglyphics_, and fill’d with _Asphalt_, with which they us’d to
_Embalm_ their Bodies, and the 11th is the Cover of the Pot with a Dog’s
Head on it.
[Illustration:
M: V^{dr}: Gucht Sculp.
To Doctor Hans Sloane who has been pleas’d to encourage this Work,
this Plate is humbly dedicated by
His most humble Servant Thomas Greenhill.
]
The second Plate represents such Figures as the _Egyptians_ hung on
their _Embalm’d_ Bodies, which were made of glaz’d and colour’d Earth,
or else of Brass: The first nine are deform’d, with horrid Countenances,
either of Men or Animals, some joyning their Hands, others bearing on
their Knees, or else hanging them down. The 1st and 9th, which look most
terrible with a Lion’s Countenance, represent the _Mophtæi Genii_; the
2d has the Face of the Dog _Anubis_; the 3d and 7th have the monstrous
Beards of the Priests of _Isis_; the 4th and 6th are the _Nepthæi_; the
5th represents _Horus_, a Boy with a monstrous Head; the 8th has the
Face of a Boy likewise, with a loop-hole on the Back, to sew it to the
_Mummies_, as have also the 1st, 2d, 4th, 6th, 20th, 21st and 25th
Figures, tho’ not altogether so conspicuous. The 12th and 14th, as also
the 19th and 25th are the same, with the 1st and 9th, signifying the
_Genii Mophtæi_; the 11th and 15th are the same with the 4th and 6th;
the 16th, 21st and 23d carry great Stones on their Heads and Shoulders,
as it were threatning to fling them at such as offer’d to disturb them,
or else to bury them under them; the 10th is a _Scarabæus_; the 13th a
_Phallus occulatus_, which they carry’d about with them as one of the
greatest _Amulets_ they could use against Sterility; the 17th and 18th
are two Crocodiles, likewise carry’d along with them to appease
_Typhon_; the 20th and 24th with Hawks Heads represent _Osiris_; the 22d
is most monstrous of all, carrying a Bushel on its Head, all the Figure
being compos’d of Head and Belly. It denotes _Serapis_, of whom they say
there was a Statue in _Alexandria_ of that Magnitude, that it touch’d
both sides of the _Serapian_ Temple; the 26th is _Harpocrates_ holding
his Finger on his Mouth, to shew the Silence religiously observ’d by the
_Egyptians_ in their Mysteries; the 27th is the Ox _Apis_, before
describ’d _p._ 200, and the 28th the Statue of _Isis_, giving Suck to
her Son _Horus_.
[Illustration:
J. Nutting Sculp.
To Doctor William Gibbons who has been pleas’d to encourage this Work
this Plate is humbly dedicated by
His most humble Servant Thomas Greenhill.
]
These were the true _Phylacteric_ and _Averruncal_ Statues of the
_Egyptians_, some made portable with Handles, and others with a square
piece of Wood proceeding from their Pedestal, whereby they were the
better fix’d on Tombs. Some again were put within the Bellies of the
Mummies, and others hung about the outsides of them, and that as well to
preserve the Bodies from Putrifaction as the Sepulchres from Rapine,
[Sidenote: Their _Use_ and _Virtues_.] which they were suppos’d to
effect by their Divine Power, or Magical Virtue, or else by their
terrible and deform’d Countenances were thought to strike a Dread into
every approaching Adversary.
Thus the Body being _Embalm’d_ and adorn’d with _Hieroglyphic_
Characters, magical Amulets, Statues and the like, and every thing else
got ready for the Funeral, it was on the last Day or Time appointed for
the Burial, put on board a Ship call’d _Barris_, and by the Ferry-Man,
_Charon_, [Sidenote: _Charon._] wafted o’er the Lake _Acherusia_; which
lies on the _South_ side of _Memphis_, where being landed on a Plain,
the chief Burial-Place of the _Egyptians_, and which is fabl’d by the
_Greeks_ to be the _Elysian_ Fields, they plac’d the Corps on a Bier,
before the Mouth of the Sepulchre, when the Judges, Priests and common
People surrounding it, [Sidenote: Manner of _Judging_ the _Dead_.] one
who was purposely appointed to rehearse impartially the
_Funeral-Oration_, openly declar’d the Virtues, Vices and Actions, nay
whole Life and Conversation of the Deceas’d, and after all the Evidences
were examin’d (every one having a free power to accuse the dead Person)
according to the majority of Votes and judgment of the Judges, the Corps
was dispos’d of. If he had liv’d Virtuously he was honour’d with the
greatest Praises and Commendations, and consequently magnificently
Interr’d; but if Viciously, he was mightily exclaim’d against and
depriv’d of Sepulture. This made even the Kings themselves to live
uprightly, fearing so much as to anger the common People whilst alive,
lest they should thereby incur their eternal Hatred after their Death.
This Custom of the _Egyptians_ examining and trying their Dead,
_Bossuet_ in his History of the World, _p._ 457, takes notice of as a
very extraordinary kind of Judgment which none escap’d, affirming, ‘It
was a Consolation at the Time of Death to leave their Names in esteem
among Men, and of all Human Blessings, this was the only one which Death
cannot ravish from us; but it was not suffer’d in _Egypt_ to commend all
the Dead indifferently, that was an Honour to be had only from a public
Judgment. The public Accuser was heard, if he prov’d the Conduct of the
Deceas’d bad, then was his Memory condemn’d and he depriv’d of
Sepulture. The People admir’d the power of their Laws, which reach’d
them even after Death, and every one being touch’d by the Example, was
afraid to dishonour his Memory and Family: But if the Defunct was not
convicted of any Crime, then had he an honourable Interment. They made
his Panegyric, but medled not in the least with his Birth: All _Egypt_
was Noble, and besides, they receiv’d no farther Commendations than what
they had got by their Merits. Moreover, the _Egyptians_ were very
curious in Preserving dead Bodies: Thus their Gratitude to their Kindred
became Immortal. Children, by seeing the Bodies of their Ancestors,
call’d to mind their Virtues, which the Public had made such
Acknowledgements to, and they were incited to love those Laws which had
so recommended them to them. This Custom of Judging Kings after their
Deaths, says he _p._ 457. seem’d so holy to the People of GOD, that they
have always practis’d it. We read in the Scriptures wicked Kings have
been depriv’d of the Burial of their Ancestors; and we learn from
_Josephus_, that that Custom lasted even to the Time of the _Asmoneans_:
This gave Kings to understand, that tho’ their Majesty put them above
Human Judgments whilst alive, yet were they not above them when Death
had equall’d them with other Men. Likewise our Author further adds, _p._
454. That to prevent borrowing, which was the Parent of Idleness, Frauds
and Branglings, the Decree of King _Asychis_ did not suffer any to
borrow, [Sidenote: _Pawning_ the _Dead_.] but on condition he pawn’d the
Body of his Ancestor to him of whom he borrow’d; and it was reputed both
an Impiety and Infamy together not to redeem it so soon as ever he
could, so precious a Pledge was it reckon’d, and he that dy’d before he
had acquitted himself of that Duty, was deny’d Burial.’
Now how the Bodies, which are said to have been bury’d, were laid up, is
somewhat difficult to determine, since Authors speak so variously of
their Burial; for some say they were bury’d either in their private or
proper Sepulchres, or else in a public Reconditory, and others say they
kept the Dead in their Dwelling-Houses. Now which of these was most us’d
by such as could indifferently afford the Expence of either, I will not
pretend to determine, however, the great variety of Sepulchres, found
even at this Day, plainly proves they bury’d in the Fields and Plains,
whereas the other is but traditionally asserted, yet not altogether
improbable to be done by so Superstitious a People, of whom it is
reported that some, especially the richer Sort, put their _Embalm’d_
Bodies in Cases carv’d after their own likeness, [Sidenote: The _Dead_
kept in _Houses_,] and these they set up in their Halls or Parlours in
great Order (perhaps in Niches) being very richly adorn’d, where they
took great delight to see a long Race of their Ancestors, in a manner,
with as great satisfaction as if they were alive, and they were
Conversing with them. Nay, _Herodotus_, _Pomponius Mela_ and _Lucian_
assert, [Sidenote: and plac’d at _Table_.] they plac’d them at Table
like Guests, and made merry with them by Eating and Drinking; yet, when
they were necessitous, they scrupl’d not to give them as a Pledge for
Money they borrow’d, yet then took particular Care, both punctually to
pay the one and redeem the other: But as for such as bury’d their Dead
out of their Houses and Villages, in the Fields and Plains, they built
Sepulchres for them as noble as possible, some after one Fashion, and
some after another, every one according to their own Fancy, or the
Charges they could best spare; for they chose rather to have their
Monuments magnificently built than their Dwelling-Houses, laughing at
the _Greeks_ and other Nations, who caus’d theirs to be rais’d with
great expence like to Palaces, notwithstanding they were to live but a
very little while in them, and at the same time neglected their Tombs,
where they were to lye for a much longer Time. But the _Egyptians_ acted
just contrary; they despis’d the present Life, and took little care in
building their Habitations, looking upon them only as so many Inns or
Baiting-Places, where they were to Inhabit but for a Season, whereas the
Glory of a future Life, that was to be procur’d by Virtue, they greatly
esteem’d, and consequently spent their whole Care, Study and Riches
about the magnificence of their Sepulchres, [Sidenote: _Sepulchres_
call’d _Eternal Houses_.] which they call’d Sempiternal or Eternal
Houses, looking upon the Time they were to dwell here on Earth as
nothing, in respect of the stay they were to make in the Grave. And
hence it is no Nation in the World has been so curious as the
_Egyptians_ in their Funeral Ceremonies, Preserving the Dead, and
magnificence of Sepulchres, which, besides abundance of private
Structures, those Obelisks at _Rome_ and the Pyramids of _Egypt_, do not
only testifie, but will for ever be numbred among the Wonders of the
World.
* * * * *
These, Sir, are my humble Thoughts and Opinion concerning the Funerals
of the _Egyptians_, which I entirely submit to your better Judgment,
hoping you will pardon this Interruption of your precious Time from more
weighty Concerns, and candidly accept the mean, but grateful Performance
of,
_SIR_,
_Your most Obliged and_
_Devoted Humble Servant_,
Thomas Greenhill.
THE
Art of Embalming.
LETTER III.
_To Doctor_ Hans Sloane, _Secretary to the Royal Society, and Fellow
of the College of Phisicians_, London.
SIR,
In considering the Nature of the _Egyptian Pyramids_, _Subterranean
Vaults_ and _Lamps_, I not only found in them much Magnificence, but
more Curiosity, insomuch that tho’ the first were justly reputed Wonders
of the World, yet are the last as surprizing and unaccountable, even to
the most inquisitive Naturalist, or expert Chymist. Now well knowing
your incomparable Library contains the most curious Books wrote on this
Subject, as also that your unparalell’d _Musæum_ is furnish’d with a
great variety of Lamps, Lacrimatories, Averruncal Gods, and the like
Rarities, taken out of the _Pyramids_ and Subterranean Places of
_Egypt_, I thought it not only proper to beg your Patronage of the
following Sheets, but likewise believ’d my self oblig’d to return such
Acknowledgments for your many Favours as I was best able to make, in as
much as you are both a great Promoter of Arts and Sciences in general,
and have more particularly been pleas’d to encourage this Work of mine:
But as to write a Panegyric on your Merit and Virtues would look too
much like Flattery, so, entirely to pass them by without taking any
notice of them, would no less savour of Ingratitude, therefore I must
needs desire leave to say, That the Judgment of the Royal Society, Men
of the most polite Learning in the World, in choosing you for their
Secretary, is a sufficient Argument of your great Worth and acute
Discernment; but your Candour will appear in nothing so much as in
accepting this succinct Account of the _Pyramids_, Subterranean Vaults
and Lamps of the _Egyptians_, whilst you have by you the Learned Mr.
_Greaves_’s _Pyramidographia_, with the several Accounts of _Licetus_,
_Bellori_, and other Writers about _Lamps_, &c. Now whereas in the
foregoing Letter was fully shown the manner of preparing dead Bodies and
rendring them durable, in this I chiefly intend to speak of the
Sepulchres or Repositories wherein they were laid; for as much as the
_Egyptians_ did not only content themselves with _Embalming_ their Dead,
but likewise with equal Care provided Conditories that might be lasting
as the Body, and in which it might continue safe from the Injuries both
of Time and Men, because they religiously believ’d that so long as the
Body indur’d, so long would the Soul continue with it, not as a
quickning or animating Spirit, but as an Attendant or Guardian, and
without going into any other Body, as otherwise they thought it would;
so that after they had preserv’d the Dead from Putrifaction, they next
entomb’d them in firm and stately Monuments, such as were at first those
Mercurial Sepulchres of hard Marble of a Spherical Figure, as _Strabo_
records, and those wonderful ones of the antient Kings of _Thebes_ in
_Egypt_, which _Diodorus Siculus_, Lib. 1. mentions, and such were also
the _Hypogæa_, those Caves or Dormitories cut out in the _Lybian_
Desarts, by the _Egyptians_ of lower Quality, which are now term’d the
Mummies. Of the same Nature likewise are the stately _Pyramids_ built by
their Kings, [Sidenote: _Pyramids_ to what end built.] all being
design’d to secure the Dead, after they were _Embalm’d_, from the
Injuries of the _Nile_ or Weather, the rapine of an Enemy or any
voracious Animal; and that so the Soul might be still oblig’d to attend
them: But besides this general Reason why these Reconditories were
built, which was to preserve the Dead from all external Violence,
[Sidenote: Why of a _Pyramidal_ form.] there were two special ones why
they were made in a _Pyramidal_ form. The first was, in that this Figure
appears most permanent and durable, as being neither so liable to be
over-press’d by its own weight at top, nor to be undermin’d by the
sinking in of Rain at the bottom, as other Buildings are. The second
was, because these Structures were intended to represent some of the
_Egyptian_ Deities; for, in the most antient Times, _Pyramidal_ Columns
or Obelisks were worshipp’d as Images of the Gods, before the exact Art
of Carving Statues was found out, and so as _Isis Cornigera_ represented
the Horns of the Moon, in like manner might these _Pyramids_ represent
the Rays of the Sun, which the _Egyptians_ worshipp’d under the name of
_Osiris_. As to the number of _Pyramids_ to be seen in _Egypt_,
[Sidenote: Their number.] _Bellonius_ very much exceeds the Account
given us by other Travellers, for he makes them above 100, whereas
_Greaves_ says there are not 20, and Prince _Radzivil_ reckon’d but 17.
Three of these are the most remarkable, being built on _Africa_ side,
[Sidenote: Scituation.] on a rocky and barren Hill, between the City
_Memphis_ and the Place call’d _Delta_, from the _Nile_ less than four
Miles, from _Memphis_ six, and near to _Busiris_, a Village from whence
People are wont to ascend up to them, _Pliny_ Lib. 36. cap. 12. _Le
Bruyn_ has given us this Drawing of them, together with the _Sphinx_
which he made on the spot, whilst the _French_ Consul and some of his
Company were refreshing themselves under its Shade.
These three _Pyramids_ were not erected by the _Israelites_, under the
Tyranny of the _Pharaohs_, as _Josephus_ and some modern Writers affirm;
for the Scripture says positively, the Slavery of the _Jews_ consisted
in making and burning Brick, whereas all these _Pyramids_ were made of
Stone. The first and greatest of them was built, [Sidenote: Who were the
_Founders_ of them.] says _Herodotus_, by _Cheops_ (stil’d by _Diodorus
Siculus_, _Chemmis_) who succeeded _Rhampsinitus_ in the Kingdom of
_Egypt_. He adds, that the Stones were dug out of the Quarries of an
_Arabian_ Mountain, and from thence carry’d to the _Nile_; that there
were employ’d in the Work Ten Miriads or a Hundred Thousand Men, every
Three Months a Myriad; that the whole _Pyramid_ was finish’d in 20
Years, whereof 10 were spent in conveying the Stones to the Place of
building.
[Illustration: J. Kip Sculp
To M^r. Francis Moult Chymist who has been Pleas'd to encourage this
Work, this Plate is humbly dedicated by His most humble Servant Thomas
Greenhill. ]
The second _Pyramid_, like the first in respect to its Workmanship, but
far inferior in regard of its Magnitude, was built by the Successor to
_Cheops_, who was _Cephren_ his Brother, as _Herodotus_ and _Diodorus
Siculus_ agree.
The third _Pyramid_, less than either of the two former, was built by
_Mycerinus_, Son of _Cheops_ or _Chemmis_, says _Herodotus_. Other
Writers give different Names to the Founders of these _Pyramids_; but
this is what is most probable among their various Opinions, according to
Mr. _Greaves_. Besides these three now in being, _Herodotus_ mentions a
fourth built of Brick by _Asychis_, who succeeded _Mycerinus_, and
another in which _Imandes_ was bury’d, at the end of the Labyrinth built
by the 12 Kings of _Egypt_. Also long before any of these, _Mœris_ in
his wonderful Lake, had erected two _Pyramids_, one for himself and
another for his Wife, both long since gone to ruine; but there are many
yet standing in the _Lybian_ Desart, whose Founders none of the antient
Writers have ever nam’d. Among these one is no less worthy of Memory
than either of the three former, it standing about 20 Miles distant from
them, more within the sandy Desart, and appearing to have the same
Dimensions, the same Steps without as the first has, to be of the same
Colour, and to have an Entrance like it on the North side, which is
barr’d up within, and so whatever is said of the first in respect to its
out-side may be applicable to this last, therefore one Description may
serve for both.
[Illustration:
The outside of the First and Fairest Pyramid.
J. Nutting Sculp.
To his Grace Thomas Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, who has been
pleas’d to encourage this Work, this Plate is humbly dedicated by
His Grace’s most obedient humble Servant Thomas Greenhill.
]
[Sidenote: A Description of the first and fairest _Pyramid_.]