DISCOVERIES OF THE ANCIENTS. 33 
in impenetrable mystery. It could only be known, 
that it never either reached Amnion, or returned 
to Egypt. It was hence inferred, that the whole 
must have found a grave in the vast ocean of sand 
which intervened. These examples proved an 
awful beacon to future conquerors and explorers ; 
they heightened the mingled sentiment of vene- 
ration and terror with which these interior abodes 
were contemplated. This desert seemed as a bar- 
rier fixed by nature, which she would never per- 
mit any mortal to pass with impunity. These re- 
gions remained, therefore, undisturbed till the ar- 
rival of a new conqueror, who was not wont to be 
deterred by any common obstacles. Alexander, * 
when the career of conquest carried him to Mem- 
phis, determined to proceed, and visit the temple 
of Jupiter Ammon. With the frantic wish of be- 
ing owned as the offspring of that Deity, was pro- 
bably mingled a romantic curiosity to behold the 
mysteries that were hid in the depth of these aw- 
ful solitudes. He viewed himself probably as a 
darling of fate, over whom the perils that over- 
whelm the rest of mankind would lose their influ- 
ence. The army, however, suffered immensely 
during this march ; and, but for a seasonable 
shower, the consequences might have been fatal. 
At length, they beheld with astonishment, in the 
VOL. I. 
* Curtius, IV. 7 
C 
