ELEPHANTINE, a small island of the Nile, lying opposite to Assouan (q.v.), the ancient Syene, on the confines of Egypt and Nubia, in 24° 5' n. 32° 34' e. long. From this island, the Greek mercenaries were sent by Psannhitichus I. to recall the Egyptian deserters, and it was garrisoned in the time of the Pharaohs, Persians, and Romans. The island was anciently called Abu, or the "ivory island," from its having been the entrepot of the trade in that precious material. The most important ruins are a gateway of the time of Alexander, and a small temple dedicated to Klumm, the god of the waters, and his contemplar deities, Anucis and Sate. This temple was founded by Amenophis III., and embellished by Rameses III. Another remarkable edifice is the ancient Kilometer, formerly mentioned by Strabo, and which appears to have been built in the time of the Cassars; and several remaining inscriptions record the heights of inundation from the time of Augustus to Severus. This island had the honor of giving
a dynasty (the 5th) to Egypt, and was evidently an important place, the inscriptions on the rocks attesting the adoration paid by Sethos I., Psammitichus II., and other mon archs, to the local deities. Other interesting monuments have been found on this island: amongst which may be cited part of a calendar recording the rise of the dog-star in the reign of Thotinues III. (1445 n.c.), and numerous fragments of pottery—principally receipts in the Greek language—given by the farmers of the taxes in the reign of the Antonines. The island is at present inhabited by Nubians.—Wilkinson, Topography- of Thetis, p. 460; Champollion, Notwe Descriptive, p, 215; Charnpollion, Lettres Eorites, pp. 111, 157, 171, 382.