For a genera] description of the temple at Karnae, we shall refer to the French traveller, N. Denon, who, writing at the latter end of the last century says: " It is the sumptuousness alone of the Egyptians which is to be seen at Karmic, w here not only quarries, but moun tains, are piled together, and hewn out into massive propor tions. the traits of which are as feebly executed, as the parts are clumsily connected ; and these masses are loaded with uncouth bas•reliefs and tasteless hieroglyphics. by which the art of sculpture is disgraced. The only objects there which are sublitno, both with regard to their dimensions and the skill which their workmanship displays, are the obelisks, and a few of the ornaments of the outer gates. the style of which is admirably chaste. It' in the other parts of this edifice the Egyptians appear to us to be giants, in these latter produce tiers they are geniuses. I am accordingly persuaded that these seloime embellishments were posteriorly added to the colossal neeeuments of Karnae. It must, however, be granted, that the plan of the temple is noble and grand. . To the known descriptions of this great edifice of Karmic should be added. that it was but a temple, and could be nothing else. All that exists at present, in a somewhat entire state, relates to a very small sanctuary. and had been disposed in this way to inspire a due degree of veneration, and to become a kind of tabernacle. On beholding the vast extent of these ruins, the imagination is wearied with the idea of describing them. Of the 100 columns of the portico alone of this temple, the smallest are 71, feet in diameter, and the largest 12. The space occupied by its eiretnnyallation contains lakes and mountains. In short, to be enabled to form a competent idea of so much magnificence, it is necessary that the reader should 1:iney what is before hits to be a dream, as he who views the objects themselves rubs his eyes to know whether he is awake. With respect to the present state of this edifice, it is, however, necessary, at the same time, to observe, that a great part of the effect is lost by its very degraded state. The :sphinxes have been wantonly mutilated, with a few exceptions, which barbarism, wearied with destroying, has spared, and, on examining which, it is easy to distinguish, that some of them had a woman's head, others that of a lion, a ram, a bull, &e." For the following more particular description of this temple, we are indebted to Sir 1. G. Wilkinson.
"The principal entrance of the grand temple lies on the north-west side, or that facing the river. From a raised platform commences the avenue of Criosphinxes, leading to the front propyla, before which stood two granite stables of a Pharaoh. One of these towers retains a great part of its original height, but has lost its summit and cornice. In the upper part, their solid walls have been perforated through their whole breadth, for the purpose of fastening the timbers that secured the flag-staffs usually placed in front of these propyla ; but no sculptures have ever been added to either face, nor was the surfiteey et, levelled to receive them. Passing through the pylon these tewers, you arrived at a large open court, t!75 feet by :129, with a covered corridor on either side, and a double line of columns down the centre. Other propyla terminate this area with a small vestibule befbre the pylon, and form the front of the grand hall, 170 feet by :129, supported by a central avenue of 12 massive columns, 116 feet high (without the pedestal and abacus), and 12 in diameter ; besides 122 of smaller, or rather less gigantic dimensions, 41 feet 9 inches in height. and 27 feet 6 inches in eircemference. distributed in seven lines on either site of the fernier. Other propyla close the inner extremity of this hall. beyond which are two obelisks, one still standing on its original site, the other having been thrown down and broken by human violence. A small propy Ion succeeds to
this court, of which it forms the inner side; the next con tains two obelisks of dimensions, being 92 feet high and S square, surrounded by a peristyle. if I may be allowed the expression, of Osiride figures. Passing between two dilapidated propyla, you enter :mother smaller arca, orna mented in a similar manner. and succeeded be a vestibule, in front of the granite gateway of the pyramidal towers, which form the thcad e of the court of the sanctuary. This last is also of red granite, divided into two apartments, and surrounded by numerous chambers of small dimensions, varying from 29 feet by 16. to 16 feet by S. A few poly gonal columns, of the early date of Osirtesen I.. the contem porary ofJoseph. appear behind these in the midst of fallen architraves of the same era, and two pedestals of red granite crossing the line of direction in the centre of the open space to the south-east, are the only objects worthy of notice. until von reach the column or edifice of the third Thothines. The exterior wall of this building is entirely des rove], except on the north-east side ; to it succeeds a eirenit of thirty-two pillars, and within this square are columns, di-pe.ed in two lines, parallel to the outer walls, and to the back and front row of pillars. Independent of the irregular position of the latter with regard to the columns of the centre, an unusual caprice has changed the established order of the architectural details, and capitals and cornices are reversed, without adding to the beauty ur increasing the strength of the building. A series of smaller halls and chambers terminates the extremity of the temple, one of which is remarkable as containing the names of the early predecessors of Thothmes Ill., their founder. In the western lateral adytum arc the vestiges of a colossal hawk seated on a raised pedestal ; the sculptures within and without containing the name of Alexander, by whose order this was repaired and sculptured.
"The total diniensions of this part of the temple behind the inner propyla of the grand hall, are 600 feet, by about half that in breadth, making the total length. from the trout props la to the extremity of the wall if circuit, inclusive, List/ feet. The additions made at different periods, by the distant portions of this extensive mass of build ings were united, will be more readily understood from an examination of the survey itself than l' on any description, however detailed, 1 could offer to the reader: and from this it will appear that Diodorous is fully justified in the follow ing statement : that ` the circuit of the must ancient of the tour temples at Thebes measured thirteen stadia,' or about one mile and two-thirds English; the thickness of the walls. of •5 feet,' owing to the great variety in their dimensions, is too vague to be noticed ; but the altitude of the Imildhip., to which he allows only •5 cubits, tails Ihr short of the real height of the grand hall, which, from the pavement to the summit of the roof, inclusive, is not less than SO feet." The next description of Luxor is friim the same writer: " Luqsor, which occupies part of the site of ancient Diospulis, still holds the rank of a market-town, the residence of a Kistler, and head-quarters of a troop of Turkish cavalry. Its name signifies the Palaces, and some might perhaps feel inclined to trace in that of El Qasry n, or El 1Thsoray n, (the dual of the word Qasr,) by which it is sometimes designated, the existence of the two distinct parts of this building, erected by Ammioph Ill. and Uemeses II. The former monarch, who, at the time of its foundation, appears to have reigned conjointly with his brother, built the original sanctuary and cireunijacent chambers, with the addition of the large colonnade and pylon before it, to w Inch 1:emeses11. afterwards added the great court, the pyramidal towers, or propyla. and the obelisks and statues.