317 



The city of Bubastis was situated on the left 

 bank of the ancient Pelusiac branch, at the distance 

 of about fifty miles above its mouth, and about the 

 same distance below Memphis ; and also in nearly 

 the same latitude as Menouf, likewise an ancient city 

 situated between the Sebbenitic and Canopic branches. 

 Hence, a considerable way below the head of the 

 delta. 



From these circumstances, and the slow progress of 

 the new formation, we may infer that the founding of 

 the city of Bubastis was of a much more recent date 

 than that of Memphis, and other cities above. Con- 

 sequently, it did not experience so many revolutions 

 and changes as those of a much higher antiquity* 

 However that may have been, we have no knowledge, 

 that I can find, that Bubastis was ever re-elevated a 

 second time.* Therefore it must have remained, at 

 its downfall, like an immense excavation in a plain, or 

 like a city in a valley, from the surrounding heights of 

 which, the inhabitants " looked down upon it (the tem- 

 ple) from every part of the city." 



Being thus formed and protected, it had probably 

 remained secure from any inroads from the inundation 

 of the Nile, until overthrown by hostile bands, or other 

 causes, and deserted ; when, either through design, or 

 the gradual elevation of the surrounding plains, the 



* Herodotus, in speaking of the temple, says that its situation 

 had never been altered, although every other part of the city had 

 been elevated. Kuterpe, p. 137, 138. 



