The most flourishing period in the history of Thebes was between 1600 and
1100 B. C. Thebes in turn fell into decay, and is now only a small place
visited in the course of a trip to Luxor and Karnak. The situation of
Thebes is interesting. It lies in the widest section of the Nile Valley,
with a broad plain on the west stretching off to the Libyan Mountains. On
this plain are the famous statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Across
the Nile, on the east bank, stand the ruins of Luxor and Karnak, and
beyond them to the east are the Arabian hills.
[Illustration: MEMPHIS