The name of Tentyris. or 'relay ra, (in Coptic Tentore, or Nikentore.) seems to have originated in that of the goddess Athol. or Aphrodite, who was particularly worshipped there ; and that the principal temple was dedicated to that goddess, we learn from the hieroglyphics, as well as from a Greek inscription of the time ofTiberius, in whose rein its it lagnificent portico was to the original building. Egyptian sculpture had long been on the deeline before the erection of this temple ; and the Egyptian antiquary looks with little satisfaction on the graceless sty le of the figures, and the crowded profu sion of id-adjusted hieroglyphics, that cover the walls of Ptolemaic and Roman monuments ; but architecture still retained the grandeur of an earlier period ; and though the capitals of the columns were frequently overcharged with ornament, the general effect of the porticos erected under the Ptolemies and Czesars, is grand and imposing, and frequently not destitute of elegance and taste. The same remarks apply to the temple of Dendera ; and from its superior state of preservation, it deserves a distinguished rank among the most interesting momunents of Egypt. For though its columns, considered singly, may be said to have a heavy, and perhaps a grotesque, appearance, the portico is• doubtless a noble specimen of architecture ; nor is the succeeding hall devoid of beauty and symnietry of prof)ortion. On the ceiling of the prollfros, or portico, is the Zodiac, which has led to much learned controversy, and which has at length, through the assistance of the Greek inscription, and the hieroglyphical names of the Casnrs that cover its exterior and interior walls, been confined to the more modest and probable antiquity of eighteen hundred years.
The details of the cornice offer a very satisfactory specimen of the use of triglyphic ornament, which is common in many of the oldest Pharaohnie temples. though arranged in a somewhat different manlier, and without so remarkable a metope as in the present instance.
" On the frieze, or rather architrave, is a procession to Athor, and among the figures that compose it are two playing the harp, and another with the tambourine. The inscription is on the projecting summit of the cornice, and commences with the name of the emperor Tiberius. Those of Aulus lviIlIox Flaccus, the military governor ur prefect, and Aldus Fulmills Crisps, commander of the forces, though purposely erased, are still traced when the sun strikes oblique'y on the surface of the stone; but the date of the emperors reign is unfortunately lost.
The small planisphe•e which was in one of the lateral chambers on the right-hand side of the temple, and behind the pronaos, has been removed to Vrance, and from its position it probably dated a- lew years before the Zodiac. Numerous are the names of Crusars in this temple. In the portico may be distinguished those of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero, and on the former front of the temple, now the back of the pronaos, are those of Augustus and Caligula. This was in fact the original extent of the build ing, and it was previous to the addition of the portico that it was seen by Strabo.
"The oldest names are of Ptolemy Cicsarion, or Neo ca'sar, and Cleopatra, who are represented on the back wall ()I' the exterior ; and it is probable that the w hole naos was the work of the Ptolem ies, though the sculpt ores remained unfinished till the reign of Tiberius, who, hating erected the portico, added many of the hieroglyphics on the exterior walls.
"The portico is supported IT twenty-four columns, and is open at the liana, above the screens that unite its six columns ; and in each of the side-walls is a small doorway.
"To this succeeds a hall of six columns, with three rooms on either side ; then a central chamber, communicating on one site with two small rooms, and on the other w ith a staircase. 'Ellis is followed by another similar chamber (with two rooms On the west, and one on the east side) immediately before the isolated sanctuary, Which has a passage leading round it, and communicating with three rooms on either side. The total length of this temple is 93 paces (or about 220 feet,) by 41, or, across the portico, 50.
"In front of the terople was the dromos, extending for the distance of 110 paces to an isolated pylon, bearing the mimes of Domitian and Trajan. The attributes of A tip a through out this building very much resemble those of Isis ; and she is in like manner represented nursing the young child liarpo crates, who is said, in the hieroglyphics, to be the son of Athor.' " Behind the temple of Venus,' says Strabo, `is the chapel of Isis :' and this observation agrees remarkably well with the size and position of the small temple of that goddess; as it consists merely of one central and two lateral adyta, and a transverse chamber or corridor in front, and stands immediately behind the south-west angle of that of Athor. To it belonged the pylon that lies 170 paces to the eastward, and which, as we learn from a Greek inscription on either tlice of its cornice, was dedicated to Isis, in the thirty first year of Caesar (Augustus) : Publius Oetavins being military governor or prefect, and .1\ rcus Claudius Posthun ins, commander of the forces. In the hieroglyphics, besides the name of Augustus, are those of Claudius and Nero.
" Ninety paces to the north of the great temple of Athor is another building, consisting of two outer passage-chambers, with two small rooms on either side of the outermost one, and a central and two lateral adyta. the whole surrounded, except the front, by a peristyle of twenty-two columns. The capitals, ornamented or disfigured by the representation of a Ty phonian monster. have led to the supposition that this temple was dedicated to the evil genius ; but as the whole of its sculptures refer to the birth of Harpoerates, it is evident that it appertains to the great temple of Athor, who is here styled his mother ; and it may be said rather to be dedicated to Ilarpocrates than to Typhon, w ho is only introduced in a subordinate character, as relating to the young deity. The names are of Trajan, Adrian, and Antoninus Pius.